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Jantikalu ( Murukku)

 Jantikalu ( Murukku)


This crunchy snack is a family favourite. Great as an evening snack, or for any time one feels a little hungry. It is also a very nice snack to make for festivals. With simple ingredients and minimal spices, this is quite easy to make and delicious to eat. The secret of the unique taste lies in the roasted and powdered Urad Dal.

Ingredients:

1 Cup Rice Flour

¼ Cup or 3 Tbsps Urad Dal

¼ Tsp Chilli Powder

A pinch of Hing

Salt to taste

1 ¼ Tsp White Sesame seeds ( Til Seeds)

¼ Tsp Ajwain or Vaamu ( Carom Seeds)

2 Tbsps Ghee

10 to 12 Tbsps of Water – add as required, not in one lot

Oil for deep frying

Let’s get started:

On very low heat, dry roast the Urad Dal, stirring all the time, till it becomes light golden brown. Do not increase the flame or the Urad Dal will burn and will have to be thrown away. Remove to a flat plate to cool.

When completely cool and totally dry, grind in to a fine powder.  Keep aside.

Take a fine sieve, add the Rice Flour, roasted Urad Dal, Chilli Powder, Hing and Salt and sift twice till all the powders are well mixed.

To the above mixture add the Sesame Seeds, Ajwain and Ghee.

Mix with fingertips till the mixture resembles fine bread crumbs. If you press some of this mixture in your palm it will hold its shape. If it falls apart, you may need to add a Tsp more of Ghee.

Heat Oil for deep frying while you mix the Murukku dough.

Also, oil the murukku maker and keep ready.

Keep some square plastic sheets, oiled and ready to make the Murukkus.

Slowly add water, bit by bit and keep kneading till it forms smooth and soft dough. Check for salt and add if necessary. Don’t add all the water at a time.

Take a handful of the dough and put in the Murukku maker. Press in concentric circles to make small Murukkus on the oiled plastic sheets.

Turn the flame to medium and slip in the Murukkus into the oil to deep fry them till golden . Fry about four or five at a time depending on the size of your frying pan.

Drain on a Kitchen towel and let it cool completely.

Store the Murukkus in an airtight tin.

Your crunchy and tasty evening snack is ready.


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