Quick Roasted Murmure/ Laiya/Lava - Low cal (Roasted Puffed Rice)

It was raining here in London since morning and I was craving for some adrak wali chai (Ginger Tea), I love it and can have 4-5 cups in a day, though I have started controlling my tea and switched to green tea more :))). 

We always have some snacks with evening tea, I am sure you all too. Usually in my Native Town, we all sit together and have evening tea with lots of fried snacks and no one is worried about the weight gain at all. I still remember during my schooling whenever I had my exams, mummy used to make a big dabba of murmure namkeen. She used to roast it in batches with lots of oil. I loved it and had it in huge quantities, later realized the unhealthy part. After marriage I started roasting them in a nonstick pan with no oil, but the results were not that good. Then one day I made this namkeen in microwave and voila the results were just mind blowing. My mother didn't realize that they were made in 1 tsp of oil (that too for only tadka/tampering). Its supereasy and quick to make too. I also prepare flattened rice/chivra namkeen almost in the same manner and pretty sure that you all will love it :))).

Here is the link for roasted chivra namkeen - Click here

Ingredients :

• Laiyya/Murmure/Puffed rice - 2 cups
• Peanuts - 3/4 cup
• Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
• Black salt - 1 tsp
• Green chilies - 3 medium sized (finally chopped)
• Curry leaves - 15 (appx)
• Sugar - 1 tsp (optional)
• Salt - if needed (I didn't add)
• Oil - 1 tsp

Method:

• Take a microwavable big bowl, dry roast murmure in microwave for 2-3 minutes on high (do stir twice in between) and keep aside. Following the same procedure roast peanuts also for a couple of minutes or unless nicely done.
• In the same bowl, heat oil for 2 minutes in microwave. Now add curry leaves, green chilies turmeric powder, mix well and again microwave it for a min.
• Finally add black salt and sugar, mix (If you are adding plain salt, add at this point of time)
• Now add roasted peanuts and murmure, 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. But I am sure it won't last for such long :)))

Note : 

• You can add some dry fruits like coconut, raisins, almonds etc.
• Adjust the quantity of peanuts, green chilies & salt as per the taste. You can also add red chili powder while tampering, and omit green chilies.

Do share your experiences and feedback with me in the below section of comments or on my Facebook page. I too have a You Tube channel please do visit for all the video recipes. All the links mentioned below :)

YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/user/cookwithpriyanka

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/cookwithpriyanka

Thanks & Happy Healthy Cooking
Priyanka :)))

Oats & Whole wheat crackers with a kick of chili & lime

Today I have got something healthy for you guys and can bet you all that " no on can eat just one". Here in London there are various options for sweet snacks but very rare for savoury ones. Though I have a sweet tooth but sometimes really crave for something Chatpata :). Same thing happens with Sushant too, he needs to have something savoury with tea. So just thought to prepare a batch of these crackers. 

It was in my mind since a long time but never prepared, always was searching aisles in the supermarkets and returned with very mild biscuits or the one which we liked, had too many calories. 

While I was baking these, just gave a thought to add in some oats too as they are among one of my favorite ingredients. And yes the decision was right :)), Oats gave nice texture and made it healthy too. Secondly I used olive oil in place of butter and the results are not bad at all :). Adding chilies & lime was totally up to the preference. So lets quickly run through the ingredients following the method :)

Ingredients :

• Whole wheat flour - 3/4 cup
• Quick Oats - 1/4 cup
• Baking Powder - 1/2 tsp
• Red chili flakes - 1/2 tsp (or as per the taste)
• Mixed dried herbs - 1/2 tsp
• Lemon Zest - 1/2 tsp (optional)
• Salt - as per the taste (I used a little more than 1/4 tsp)
• Olive oil/Veg Oil - 3 tbsps
• Water - less than 1/2 cup

Method :

• Preheat the oven at 180 ° C.
• Mix all the dry ingredients well including the lemon zest.
• Add oil and mix nicely. The mixture should be a little crumbly and when you hold it in your palm it should come together. 
• Now add little by little water and try to gather it. Pleas don't knead it. Kneading will form gluten and the crackers will not become crispy then.
• Try to make a ball and transfer it to a flat surface. If required dust the surface with some dry flour and roll it to 1/4 inch thickness.
• Cut them into desired shape and repeat the same process with rest of the dough. Transfer them on to a baking tray lined with baking paper.
• Prick them with a fork, to avoid puffing.
• Now apply some milk with a brush on the top.
• Bake them for about 20-25 minutes. Mine were exactly in the oven for 25 minutes and I also flipped them after 15 minutes for even cooking. (Every oven varies when it comes to temperature)
• Finally, I kept them on to the top rack and increased the temperature to 220 ° C for 30 sec, to get a nice color.
• Cool them completely by keeping them on a cooling rack and store in an air tight container.

Enjoy with hot Ginger Tea or cold drinks :)))

Note : The addition of flavors is totally as per the taste buds, you can also add cumin seeds or carom seeds. If you are baking it for your kids, then decrease the amount of chilies.
Adding lime zest is totally optional, but it gives a unique flavor.

You can roll them thin also if you want :)

Thanks & Happy Baking 
Priyanka :)