Wednesday, August 02, 2006

Churmuri

Hi there, hope you enjoyed my two recipes so far. I've been a bit slow in posting recipes because I'm still getting the hang of blogging. I sit and think how to make my blog more interesting without boring you with my talks......which I am not good at. Okey.......this time I have something simple and easy to whip up in no time and very healthy too. Your kids will enjoy this all the more. "Churmuri " .....a familiar word for bangaloreans and mysoreans, roadside gaadis selling puffed rice mixed with seasonings and served in a newspaper rolled cone. Wow......yummy yummy, lip-smacking, finger-licking fun on a rainy day. Wait.....it's not raining.....but that's no reason not to have some fun. I bet you guys out there are missing all the roadside chaats. I am too:( Well.... let's get these things together and have some churmuri with a hot cup of filter coffee. Ummmmmmmmmmm



Ingredients:

Puffed rice ( mamra, kadlepuri) - 2 cups
Onions - 1 cup finely chopped
Carrots- 1/2 cup grated
Cucumber- 1/2 cup finely chopped
Raw mango-1/2 cup finely grated (optional)
Green chillies- 2 finely chopped
Tomatoes- 1/2 cup finely cut (optional)
Red chilly powder -1/2 tsp or according to taste
Salt to taste
Lemon juice to taste
Congress kadlekai (masala peanuts again known to karnataka-ites)- a handful
Oil - 1 tsp
Coriander leaves- 1 Tbs finely cut for garnishing
Fine sev- 2 Tbs (optional)

Take puffed rice in a microwave safe bowl and heat for about 10-15 seconds or till crisp. You can also dry roast it in a kadai for a few minutes just to remove moisture, otherwise the churmuri will get soggy in no time.

Congress kadlekai or masala peanuts can be made at home for this recipe. You can do without it or just add some roasted peanuts but let me tell you it's the congress kadlekai that gives that authentic taste to the churmuri. Some people add nippattu ( a fried snack made with rice flour).
For congress kadlekai, take:
Roasted peanuts- 2 cups
Turmeric- 1 tsp
Red chilly powder- 1 tsp
Asafoetida/heeng - 1/2 tsp
Black pepper powder- 1/2 tsp
Oil- 1 Tbs
Salt to taste
Roast peanuts , remove skin and split into halves. It's easier if you get skinless peanuts. Heat oil on a pan and add asafoetida and turmeric. Add the roasted peanuts and remove the pan from heat. Add chilli powder and pepper powder, salt and mix. Cool and store in an airtight container. Can be used as needed.

Mix chopped onions, grated carrots, green chillies, grated mango (optional), red chilly powder, salt, lemon juice with the mamra and mix . Add congress kadlekai, fine sev and coriander leaves. Add cucumber and chopped tomatoes at the end otherwise the mamra will become soggy. Mix briskly and serve immediately. Enjoy with a hot cup of coffee or tea.

Hey guys, wanted to add one more detail. I came across this article in deccan herald which all of you chaat lovers out there must read.
http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/jul52005/spectrum111920200574.asp

13 comments:

Unknown said...

Just stumbled upon ur blog. Great work. Keep up the good job.

Vaishali said...

Hi!
Are you Sangeetha or are you Saakshi? Sorry, I came across both these identities of yours, hence the question.
Anyway, you have a good blog going. My husband is from Bangalore, and when I asked him about Congress, he was curious to know where I got to know about it. He then also told me why it is called so. :)
See you here more often. :)

saakshi said...

hey vaishali,
Thanks for dropping in. Well...my nick name is saakshi and i am sangeetha officially. You can call me either. Good to come across yet another bangalorean..:) Hope you enjoy the recipes.

Sumitha said...

Sangeeta like a true Bangalorean,you have given this recipe,thanks!I love chaats

indianadoc said...

Visiting for the first time...You took me back to my hostel days...We made this Churmuri often in our room whenever we got too bored...u r right, it is definitely a B'lorean's favourite...looking forward for more sharing of recipes..

Anonymous said...

Visiting the blog for the first time .Its jus amazing ..U have made it so simple and less time consuming .Coming to churmuri ,after coming to the US iwas missing it so much well now i will no more miss eating them ..The search for good/tasty food comes to an end/begins with this blog ..

Keep up the good job

saakshi said...

Thanks Anon, I really appreciate your good words.

Ranga said...

We live in US. Congress Kadale bija is part of our baggage all the time.. yummy yummy ...

Ranga said...

We live in US. Congress kadle bija is always part of baggage ... Yummu Yummy ..

Gita said...

Hi,
I am Gita, grew up in Bangalore and now live in Southern CA. I have been looking for Congress peanut recipe for a long time. My son (21) always loved the peanuts, and always wants me to bring a suitcase full, when we visit India. He has asked me to learn it - so glad I found this site.
Please keep posting the old authentic recipse from Bangalore.

Anonymous said...

My wife tried out your Churmuri recipe, and it came out pretty well.

Bindu Vasini said...

Hi
I just made a google search for churmuri and I found yours to be yummy!I am from Bangalore,now I live in New Jersey. Will try it out this evening and hoping that my kids might love it. Will keep looking for more vegitarian recipes,since I am hardcore vegitarian!
Bindu

Calvin said...

I followed this exactly to the word including the congress. This was awesome. I miss bengalooru. Thanks.