Chivda/Chivra Namkeen in microwave with very little oil

Chivda namkeen is one of the very popular crunchy mixture, its also known as Marathi mixture. Its very tasty and goes very well with adrak wali chai. Its made up from Thin flattened rice (Chivda), not the one which we use for making poha, but its more thinner than that. Originally it is prepared by frying up the chivra, peanuts in oil and then giving tadka by mustard seeds, curry leaves and chillies. Chivra has a tendency to absorb a lot of oil, this makes it a bit unhealthy. Hence I tried it making in microwave and guess what it tastes almost the same. So got you all its quick and easy recipe.

Ingredients :

• Thin Poha (flattened rice) – 2 cups
• Peanuts – 1/4 cup 
• Chopped Cashews  - 1/4 cup
• Golden raisins  – 1/4 cup 
• Chopped Almonds - 1/4 cup
• Dried coconut flakes – 1/4 cup
• Pine nuts - 2 tbsp
• Curry Leaves – 20-25
• Asafoetida (hing) – 2 pinch
• Whole Red chilies – 2 
• Mustard seeds – 1 tsp
• Turmeric powder – 1 tsp
• Fine Sugar/Powdered sugar – 4 tbsp
• Black Salt - 1/2 tsp
• Table Salt - 1 tsp or as per the taste
• Oil for tempering – 1 1/2 tbsp

Method:

• Take a microwavable bowl and dry roast chivra in microwave for 3-4 minutes on high (do stir twice in between) and keep aside. Following the same procedure roast peanuts also for a couple of minutes.
• In the same bowl, heat oil for a minute in microwave. Now add mustard seeds to it and again microwave it for 1 min, mustard seeds will be cooked but they won't splutter.
• Add asafoetida, curry leaves, turmeric powder, whole chilies (roughly broken), and all the dry fruits, mix well and again microwave it for 2 min.
• Finally add both the salts and sugar mix gently. 
• Now add roasted peanuts and chivra and mix very well.
• Cool the mixture completely and store it in an airtight container for a month and enjoy with tea, coffee or cold drink. 

Note : The tampering part can also be done in a pan on gas, following the same procedure on medium flame.

Bye n Happy cooking
Priyanka :)