Chatpate: A Nepali Snack

” We recently held a not-for-profit photography workshop in Nepal, and one of our favorite snacks that we ate on a regular basis is Chatpate. Chatpate is a popular Nepali snack that is quick and easy to make. You can find vendors in the streets mixing up the delicious snack and selling it on the spot. The recipe below is for one person. Multiply the recipe according to the amount of people you want to serve. ” Nina & Wes

Puffed rice -1 cup
Chickpea -1/4 cup
Cilantro chopped -1/4 cup
Tomato Diced-1
Cucumber diced -1/2
Red onion chopped-1
Lemon juice- 2 teaspoons (or to taste)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil -1 tbsp
Green chili- 2
Red chili powder- 1 tsp (to add a little extra taste and color)
Salt – 1 tsp

*we’ve found the best puffed rice on Amazon. You can order here. Many of the puffed rice brands we’ve found in the stores are not quite as tasty.

In a big bowl put chick peas, cilantro, tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, and green chilis. Add lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil and mix well. You can add other vegetables such as radishes or carrots, according to your liking. Many Nepalis add in raw flavored ramen to give it even more crunch.

Finally, add puffed rice and add chili powder and salt to taste. Mix well and serve immediately.

Serve in a bowl or if you want to really feel like you’re in Nepal, serve in a cone made from newspaper.

Eat with fingers or a spoon and enjoy this fresh snack!

Just before Wes and I married, I lived in Kathmandu, Nepal for four months, doing volunteer work with street children and elderly women. I grew to love Nepal greatly, and have ached to return ever since. As a wedding photographer, it is easy to get swept away into all the pretty details and amazing people we meet as we capture one of the most special days of their lives on film. But my heart has always been happiest when working to make a difference in the lives of others, which always seems to do the same in my own life when I work towards that goal.

About 20 months ago, I woke up with an idea about a special kind of photography workshop. I wanted to do something more with our business. I wanted to go beyond business, and do something more in the world…something that would have lasting impact. Most photography workshops focus mainly on building your portfolio and growing your business, which is great and needed. We have attended some of the most amazing workshops out there in years past. But sometimes it can get competitive, and can cause you to lose focus on what is really important in this world…loving others, and giving back what we have been given. The Beyond Workshop focuses not only on encouraging photographers to be successful in their businesses, but to take their success and give back to those in need. We are asking the question…What is the meaning of success? Is it more money, bookings, and bigger houses? Or is it doing your absolute best in what you do, and taking that and giving back to the world that has given so much to you.

100% of the profits from this workshop go to orphan care and human trafficking interception in Nepal. None of the vendors take any pay, and this year we were able to give almost $8,000 to those in need in Nepal! The first half of the workshop is spent in classroom sessions revolving around business, and the second half of the workshop is spent doing volunteer work in Nepal. We had an amazing group of people this year, that gave everything they could to help this workshop succeed. Each attendee had their own part to play, and as the days unfolded, it was a joy to see each one of them fall in love with the country of Nepal.

The earthquake that occurred on April 25th in Nepal has shaken all of us. So many of the beautiful places we visited, and historical landmarks that we marveled at, are now piles of rubble. As far as we can tell, though, our loved ones and the people at the organizations we volunteered at, are all safe. Some of them have lost homes, but they have escaped the earthquake without injury. For that we are thankful.

This workshop is meant to inspire photographers to go beyond themselves and give back to the world in need. And through sharing images of this beautiful inspirational wedding, we hope to remind people of the beauty of Nepal, not the poverty. Nepal is a country rich in history, and the people of Nepal are full of warmth and kindness. Walk down any given street in this enchanting country and have a conversation with someone…you may just find that you are invited in for some milk tea.

Some of the industry vendors that donated time or goods to help make our not-for-profit workshop succeed:

Magnolia Rouge, Jose Villa, Wildgrace Workshop, Paper Birch Designs, Julie Song Ink, Brown Linen Design, Kraft & Jute, Mrs. Box, Frou Frou Chic, Type A Society, Richard Photo Lab, State Film Lab, Goodman Film Lab, Carol Hannah, Gossamer Vintage, and Jacob Cecil.

A special thanks to Gautam Rai, our Nepali brother who made this workshop truly possible by arranging all of our lodging, meals, and volunteer opportunities. He was our translator throughout our time there, and he also helped our attendees see the importance of documenting the joy and warmth of the people of Nepal, over the poverty of Nepal. He and his wife, Rekha, along with 3 biological children, have adopted 11 beautiful girls, and have devoted their lives to orphan care, and are daily meeting the needs of others with what little they have. Since the earthquake, Gautam has been out in the streets from morning til night helping others. He and his family are a beautiful example of love in action.

If you are interested in helping the relief efforts that are occurring on the ground in Nepal, there are many amazing organizations that work tirelessly with the people there, not only providing aid right now, but long-term care after many other relief groups have returned back home.

Tiny Hands International
3 Seams
Waypoint Omaha (Select “Nepal” in the dropdown menu, and 100% of the funds will be given to the Rai Family to further their ability to care for children and the community around them)