Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Chakli (Fried crunchy gluten free rice snacks)

Ingredients and Method to make Chakli
1/4 cup split mung bean lentil (mung dhal)  rinsed, drained and soaked in 1/2 cup of water for 30 minutes
2 cups rice flour
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
3/4 tsp chili powder (or to taste)
salt to taste
1/2 tsp carom seeds (ajwain/ omam)
3 tsp oil
water as needed
oil as needed to deep fry this snack

Pressure cook the soaked lentils in the water it was soaked in, until it is soft and mushy. I usually keep it for about  4 whistles in my pressure cooker to make sure the lentils get good and mushy. After the pressure subsides, remove lentils and mash, this yielded me 1/2 heaped cup mung paste.
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Place the mashed lentils in a large bowl. Add rice flour and all the spices, salt and knead lightly. Add oil and knead some more. Finally add water very little at a time if needed and knead until the dough is soft.

Heat oil as needed for frying on medium heat.

Use a press such as this one with a star shaped disc to make this snack. Take a small quantity of the dough, place it in the press and press out into a spiral shape onto a kitchen tissue or directly into the oil. I prefer to press it out onto the kitchen tissue and then slide each one gently into the oil. Flip over once or twice and remove when the chakli becomes golden brown. Place on kitchen tissue to remove excess oil.

Cool and store in an air tight container. Enjoy this snack with tea/ coffee or as an anytime snack.