Churmuri

Churmuri...hmmm... my mouth waters at the mere mention of this name. I love churmuri be it from the best place ... ballal circile or agrahara cirle (Mysore) or the ones available on Mysore - Bangalore trains . When I was in college I would have it daily while coming back from college. This along with Tomato and Sauthekayi (Cucumber with some seasoning)... it is a favourite with any person hailing from Mysore. Every Mysorean identifies his/her student life walking to the nearest churmuri stall with freinds. Even if you are busy with your schedule, when passing through the churmuri stall you cannot avoid stopping there to have this wonderful snack. Its really nice to watch the churmuri wala adding all the spice to the steel bowl and with few tactful turns with his steel spatula he stuffs it into the rolled newspaper. During the mango season the mavinakayi (mango) churmuri is famous. The thothapuri variety is cut into small pieces and added to the churmuri. Nothing can replace this snack.

Churmuri is puffed rice mixed with seasonings especially congress kadlekayi (roasted peanuts) and served in a newspaper rolled cone.

Of course the taste on the road side gaadi is so yummy... diffcult to reproduce at home...but its really worth a try.


Ingredients:
Puffed rice - 2 cups
Congress kadlekayi/Fried peanuts (recipe given below) - 3 tbsp
Onion chopped finely - 1 big
Carrot grated- 1 big
Tomato chopped into small pieces- 1 small
Salt to taste
Chilli powder - 1 tsp
Garam masala powder - 2 tsp
Chilli & coriander leaves paste - 2 tsp
Finely chopped coriander - 3 to 4 tbsp
Lemon juice - 2 tsp
Oil - 2 to 3 tbsp
Mango (Thothapuri variety) - 5 to 6 tbsp (Optional)


Method:
In a big bowl mix all the ingredients well except puffed rice. When serving add the puffed rice mix once and serve immediately. If the churmuri is not eaten immediately after mixing, the puffed rice becomes soft and does not taste good.

Recpipe for Congress kadlekayi

Ingredients:
Fried and split peanuts/kadlekayi - 1 cup
Asafoetida/hing - a pinch
Turmeric - 1/4 tsp
Salt
Pepper powder - 2 tsp
Chilli powder - 1 tsp
Oil - 1 tbsp
Curry leaves - 3 to 4

Method:
Heat oil in a pan. Add asafoetida and turmeric. Then add the curry leaves and peanuts and fry for sometime in low flame. Then finally add pepper, salt and chilli powder. Mix well and remove from the stove. This can be stored for a month and used when required.


Preparation time: About 15 min
Serves: 2 people