One of my significant childhood memories is that of the usual evenings at home.
All through my younger years, I remember running home by 7.30 – 8 PM after my usual fare of evening play with my friends within our colony. My father would come home around the same time on most days. While I was instructed to change and sit down to finish my homework for school the next day, my parents would sit down for a cup of tea and jhaal muri (Spicy Puffed Rice) whilst discussing their day. The TV would be speaking out loud in the background of course.
Since I was never a part of this ritual, I always associated Jhaal Muri as a novelty item. Something I could never get a bowl of myself, but could only sneak a taste from my fathers bowl. And boy, it was always delicious.
Even today, when my mothers makes a bowl of jhaal muri – even though I might dismiss it by justifying that its too boring, a whiff of it always brings me down to my senses and I can’t help but begging for more. The crunch of the muri (Puffed Rice) , the bite of the mustard, the spice from the masala, the soft flesh of boiled potatoes, the saltiness from the peanuts – genius.
So here is our family version of the ubiquitious 2 minute Jhaal Muri
Ingredients
- 2 Cups of Puffed Rice/Muri/Bhel
- 1 Tablespoon Mustard Oil
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup chopped tomato
- 1/2 cup chopped cucumber
- 1/2 cup chopped boiled potato
- 1-2 sliced green chilies (Depending on how hot you like it)
- 1/4 cup chopped coriander leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chaat masala
- Salt, Pepper to taste.
- Handful of sev or any namkeen of preference
- Handful of roasted peanuts (Optional)
In a bowl, mix the puffed rice and the mustard oil till its evenly distributed.
Add in everything else into the bowl, combine well.
Serve immediately!
Enjoyed best with a hot glass of chai.
Comfort food like no other, for every day & every weather (rhyme!).