Chivda Namkeen/Fried Poha Chivda

Chiwda is called in different names in different regions. And the method of making is also different. Here we see a variation which uses fried Poha (flattened Rice) mixed with fried Peanuts, Cashew Nuts, Curry Leaves etc and spices. It is an anytime snack. We bring it to you as one of the options for making it during this festive season. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

For spice Mix:

Black Salt – ½ tsp

Salt – to suit taste

Red Chilli Powder – ½ tsp

Fennel Seed (Saunf)- ½ tsp

Whole Black Pepper – 15

Sugar – 1 tsp

Turmeric Powder – ¼ tsp

For the Poha Chivda:

Thick Poha (Aval / Flattened Rice) – 3 cups

Raw Peanuts – ¾ cup

Cashew Nuts – ¼ cup (split them into two)

Fried Channa Dal (Pottu Kadalai) – ½ cup

Thinly sliced dry Coconut (Copra) – 3 tbsp

Curry Leaves – from 5 to 6 sprigs

Raisin (Kishmish) – 3 tbsp

Oil for frying

Method:

Take all the ingredients given under “For Spice Mix” in a small mixer jar. Blend them into a fine powder. Keep aside.

Keep all the ingredients for Poha Chivda handy since we would be frying them one after another just for few seconds each.

Heat the Oil in a deep pan to almost its smoking point. Take little Poha in a colander and dip the colander in the hot Oil with the Poha. The Poha will pop up immediately. (If not, the Oil has not attained the required temperature. Heat it little more). Reduce the flame to medium high and fry the Poha in Oil for 20 to 30 seconds stirring the Poha with a spoon. The color of Poha should not change. Transfer the fried Poha to a paper napkin. Fry the full quantity of Poha in small batches as above. (The oil should be smoking hot while dipping the Poha in the colander, but fry in medium flame.)

Switch of the flame. Allow the Oil to cool for about 3 to 4 minutes. Now, switch on the flame and heat the Oil again in medium high flame. Take Peanuts in the colander; dip the colander into the Oil with the Peanuts. Fry the Peanuts till they change the color to light brown and crispy. Fry them in low medium flame only.  Transfer the fried Peanuts to a bowl lined with paper napkin.

Fry all the other ingredients (except raisins) one by one in the same way in medium flame. Transfer them to the same bowl. Allow all the fired items to become cool.

Now, take the fired items including the Poha in a large mixing bowl. Add spice mix powder which we made first. Add the Raisins also. Mix everything well and blend them well. Adjust spice mixture to suit your taste.

Fried Poha Chivda is ready. Store them in dry air tight containers.