Cornflakes Mixture (Indian Trail Mix using Cornflakes)

Chiwda is one staple ingredient which is common throughout India.It has multiple names – Namkeen in North India,Farsan or Chiwda in Maharashtra,Chanachur in West Bengal and this is described as a delicious trail mix in the West which loves Indian snacks in all their forms!We get raw cornflakes these days in the market which are conveniently sealed and packaged but you can also buy branded ones like Kelloggs,Baggry’s or Mohan Meakin’s.Be sure to buy the plain one as we will include it as a tea time treat which will be mind blowing to the core!

Normally while frying approximately 1 cup of Oil is used.I have used 1 tbsp per ingredient thus reducing the Oil content by more than 50%!

We would need to mix it with many ingredients,fry them and mix them together with salt and spices!Salivating?Let’s go ahead!

Preparation Time : 30 minutes

Makes : Approximately 500 gms

INGREDIENTS

2 cups readymade Cornflakes

1/2 cup dalia dal (a kind of chana used in chutneys called “pottukadalai” in Tamil) called Roasted Gram in English and Bhuna Chana in Hindi

3/4 cup peanuts

1 cup Boondi

1 cup Sev(use a mixture of small and big sized sev.I used Nylon sev as well)

1 1/2 cup Poha (beaten rice)

2 – 3 green chillies

7 – 8 Curry Leaves

1/4 cup mixed Cashews and Almonds

2 tbsp golden raisins

5 tbsp Oil

For the spice masala :

3 tsp salt

4 tsp powdered sugar

3 tsp Chilli powder

1 tsp Chaat Masala

METHOD

Mix the spice masala together and keep aside.

Heat 2 tbsp Oil and fry the Cornflakes on medium heat till golden brown and crisp.Do not fry them beyond the golden brown stage as they would char and have a burnt taste.

Heat 1 tbsp Oil and fry the Peanuts till they change colour to a darker brown.Drain on an absorbent paper.Heat 1 tbsp Oil and fry the poha and roasted gram till crisp which will take around 4 – 5 minutes.

Heat the remaining Oil and fry the nuts and raisins till the raisins swell up like balloons and nuts are golden brown.In the same Oil fry the green chillies and curry leaves till crisp.

Now in a deep saucepan or cooking pot add each fried item one by one.Add the boondi and sev.Sprinkle the prepared spice masala on top and mix gently or shake the pan putting a cover on top till the masala is properly amalgamated into the ingredients.

Wait for the mixture to cool to room temperature and stop it in airtight containers.Serve with tea for a yummy snack!