#14 : Maramaralu ~ A puffed rice snack

When I was a kid , cable TV wasn't common . We only had one National channel. Movies were played on Saturday nights and Sunday evenings . Don't movies and snacks go together ? Spicy roasted peanuts were the hot favorite.Eating them my granddad always joked - peanuts are poor man's cahsews ! This snack of puffed rice was yet another sought after option. Quick , easy , healthy and yummy. Even today if you decide to take a late evening stroll by the parks or beaches in the southern India, you will find street side vendors putting together this snack  against dimly lit hurricane lamps. Sometimes I wonder when we can find  joy in simple things, why do we run after the bigger desires .

   Ingredients:

• 4 cups Puffed Rice / Maramaralu
• 1/4 cup Peanuts
• 1/8 cup roasted Channa Dhal / Putnalu
• 1/2 + 1/2 tsp Oil
• 1/2  tsp Red Chilli powder 
• 1/2 tsp Turmeric 
• 1/2 tsp Cumin Powder
• Salt
• 2-3 Green Chillies finely chopped
• 3 tsp Onion finely chopped
• 3 tsp Tomato finely chopped
• 3 tsp Cilantro finely chopped 
• 1/2 lime ( squeezed )

Method:

1. Heat 1/2 tsp oil in a small pan and roast the peanuts on medium heat/ flame . To it add the channa dhal (Putnalu ) and roast for 2-3 min . Add red chilli powder, turmeric , salt,cumin powder and mix well . Turn off the heat and set aside 
2. In another wide pan heat 1/2 tsp oil and roast the puffed rice for 5-7 min on a medium flame . This adds to the crunchiness of the puffed rice 
3. In a large vessel add onions , tomatoes , green chillies ,lime juice and cilantro .To it add the roasted puffed rice and the spicy peanut-channa dhal mixture . Mix well , add salt if needed. Enjoy
4. Oh , I like adding some grated green mango when available . It gives a nice tangy punch :)