AVAL MIXTURE

How about munching on something nice and crispy? And, if it happens to be a perfect tea time companion? Well, who would not want to indulge? 

Oh yeah !  I am talking about Aval Mixture  ( popularly known as Chivda or Flattened Rice Mix). This is one snack that my husband is very fond of and keeps asking me to prepare. 

AM is a nice alternative to the usual Besan laden snacks and satiates your cravings. What more do you need?

The ingredients needed for this quickie can be easily gathered from your grocery shelf. 

Switch on some nice music and start working. You ll be done soon. 

Preparation time: 5 mins                        Cooking Time : 20 mins

INGREDIENTS

2  cups of Flattened Rice/ Flaked Rice 

1 small cup of Roasted Gram Dhal / Channa Dhal

1 small cup of Peanuts

1 small cup halved Cashew nuts

2 tbsp  Golden Raisins/ Kishmish ( optional)

2 tbsp Dessicated Coconut

2 to 3 Red Chilles

2 sprigs of Curry leaves

Turmeric Powder

Generous pinch Asafoetida

1 & 1/2 tsp Red Chilli powder ( adjust as per spice preference) 

Salt - To taste

Sugar - 1 teaspoon

Oil for frying

METHOD

• Dry roast the Channa Dhal, Dessicated coconut, Cashew nuts and Raisins until fragrant and crisp.

• Fry the Peanuts in Oil until crisp. Drain in a paper towel and set aside.

• Fry the Curry leaves and red chillies until it splutters. Remove and set aside. 

• Heat oil in the same Kadai. Add small batches of Flattened rice into a metal sieve and  immerse it inside the hot oil. Remove when the rice puffs up into a white and fluffy mass. Do not brown it.

• Drain the flattened rice on paper towels. Transfer all the contents to an air tight container once cooled. Add Asafoetida, Turmeric powder, Chillie powder, Salt and Sugar. 

• Close the container with the lid and shake it two or three times to ensure that contents are mixed well.
• Hmmmmmm..... Now for some hot Tea  
  and AM

NOTES

• Channa Dhal need not be roasted for a long time as it is already  processed( roasted). You need not roast it for a long time. The same is applicable for  dessicated coconut. Too much roasting will result in browning. 
• I have just toasted the raisins and cashew nuts to reduce some oil absorption. However, you can do so if you like to fry it.
• Add the flattened rice in small batches as it expands and needs space while frying. Adding too much may result in some flakes not being cooked.
• Some people add a pinch of fennel powder or garam masala powder to the mixture. If you like the taste, then please go ahead. 
• This mixture stays good until 15 days. I have not tried storing it beyond that time.