Kara Boondi (Spiced Gram Flour Pearls Trail Mix)

Kara Boondi is another great item for festive occasions like Diwali or if you want you can make this as a tea time snack for anytime use.I personally have less of fried items these days so make this on festive occasions or times when I have guests for tea!This was one of the most easy and sought after treats in the South Indian teatimes where the beverage is filter coffee (teatime stands for the time and not for the beverage here) coupled with crispy and crunchy Kara Boondi!Bliss!

Preparation Time : 30 minutes

Makes : 4 – 5 servings

INGREDIENTS

2 cups Boondi (You can use readymade Boondi or better still get the recipe here : http://thefoodsamaritan.com/madras-mixture-delicious-south-indian-trail-mix/)

1/2 cup Peanuts

5 – 6 Broken Cashews (optional)

5 – 6 Broken Almonds (optional)

10 – 12 Raisins – stems removed

10 – 12 Curry Leaves

2 tsp salt (reduce to 1/2 tsp if you have salted Boondi)

2 tsp red chilli powder

1 tsp powdered sugar

1 tsp Asafoetida (Heeng)

2 tsp Oil

METHOD

Heat 1/2 tsp Oil and add Heeng and 4 – 5 Curry Leaves.Fry till the Leaves turn crisp.Cool and powder in a spice grinder with sugar,salt and red chilli powder.Keep aside.

Heat remaining oil and add the Peanuts. After 2 – 3 seconds add the cashews and Almonds (if using).Add the Raisins and fry till the Peanuts turn dark brown and the Raisins puff up into small balloons.You can fry the Raisins separately as well if you risk them getting charred.

Drain on an absorbent paper and keep aside.

After all the fried delights come to room temperature you can start mixing them.Take a large bowl or an airtight container and put half of the Boondi,Half of the fried nuts then half of the prepared spice powder.Follow with the rest of the Boondi,nuts and powder and mix with a wooden spatula to amalgamate the Boondi and nuts with the spice powder.Store in airtight jars.

Enjoy with tea of coffee!