Muthusaram(Mullu Murukku) – Crispy spirals of deep fried rice and lentil flour dough!

When it comes to savory snacks there are quite a few which may not be that popular with the general populace of India.While Samosas take the cake with a crown for the best known international snack from India, I am taking you to my own land – Palakkad..a small but beautiful village on the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border.Our clan best known as Palakkad Iyers have invented recipes which are unique to our group.However I am sharing this recipe as I want everyone to know the recipes and the names as well.
Muthusaram is a crispy.crunchy-munchy snack best had with tea or coffee in the evenings and can be stored for weeks.However they lose their freshness after 2 weeks and have a “put on” taste.But if you make this its guaranteed that they will not last for more than a week!
This snack is usually made on auspicious days like Janamashtami(Lord Krishna’s Birthday) or Karthik Poornima(the full moon day in the month of November).
You will require a Sev-Press with a Star shaped nozzle.

The Sev Press Machine…which has a Muthusaram attachment as well..

Ingredients

1/2 cup Mung Dal(yellow)
1/2 cup Chana Dal
2 cups rice flour
2 tbsp fresh white butter(unsalted if possible)
1 tsp whole cumin seeds(jeera)
1 tsp white sesame seeds(til)
1/2 tsp asafoetida(heeng)
Salt to taste
Oil to deep fry

Method

Measure exactly 1/2 cup of both dals. Heat a non-stick pan and roast each dal individually till golden brown and a wonderful aroma emanates!Keep aside to cool completely to room temperature.In a spice/coffee grinder,add both the dals and grind to a powder.

Now sieve this powder to make it finer and more delicate.Measure and this should be approx 1/2 cup.Now take the rice flour in a wide pan or basin to knead the dough easily.Add 1/2 cup of the Dal powder to the flour.

Both the Dals…

Take some fresh white and unsalted butter.I made the butter at home.You can use store bough unsalted one as well.To the dough add 2 tbsp of the butter,cumin seeds,sesame seeds,asafoetida and salt to taste.Be careful with salt.Add little by little and check taste.You can even add some later on.Add water a little at a time and knead to a stiff but smooth dough.

Heat oil in a pan.Drop a small portion of the dough.If it floats up,the oil is ready.Fill a portion of the dough into the Sev Press and screw the cap.Pipe the dough into the hot oil making a round action with your arms so that the dough gets evenly distributed in the oil.When one side is golden brown turn it over and brown the other side.Till the Muthusarams are golden brown on both sides.Take out and arrange on a plate.Serve with hot tea or coffee or any beverage you wish.Is a delicious accompaniment with curd rice as well!

Crispy Golden Brown Fried Muthusarams..