Archives Snacks

Dry Fruit Pinni

Dry Fruit Pinni

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Soft sugar-free utterly delicious dry fruit pinni is pure love. Made with very few ingredients and a must-have winter delicacy. In Punjabi cuisine – pinni is wholesome and full of flavourful sweet. Pinni is very special in Indian cuisine and is made differently in various places of India. Punjabi pinni is made in a different style. It is cooked in ghee on a slow wood fire then some herb and edible gum with lots of dry fruits in it is added.

Punjabi Pinni is the healthiest and protein-packed snack and breakfast as they are packed with all nutrition like jaggery, ghee, ginger powder, edible gum dry fruits in it. It is essential in Indian homes during winter, because that will keep you warm inside and boost your immune system.

In my family, my baba used to make these and we call this sweet as gond ke laddoo. They are my absolute favourite winter snack. So, in this festive season, I thought to make and share some typical authentic sweet Gond ke Laddu or pinni known as desi energy balls. A popular Punjabi dish, also known as Panjeeri laddu or pinni, are considered a healthy winter delicacy as well.

What is Gond?

Gond also known as gund, is a natural edible gum obtained from the sap of the acacia plant and then dried for cooking purposes. It is white or brownish in colour and is known for its warming effect on our bodies.

Gond is packed with nutrition and is used in making bakery items, ice creams and Indian sweets. It has great medicinal properties. It helps in strengthening our immunity, helps in relieving constipation and helps in maintaining good skin. Due to its health benefits and heat-producing properties, pinni or gond laddoo are given after delivery to new mothers to regain energy and immunity. Ginger powder/saunth is another warming spice that makes it perfect to consume in winter.

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Methi Bajra Dhebra

Bajra Methi Dhebra

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Savoury, herbalicious, perfectly spiced and soft methi bajra dhebras are so delicious that you can enjoy them as snacks or breakfast. I like to enjoy these dhebras at any time of the day with a hot cup of tea and pickle. Methi bajra dhebra is a staple food of Gujarati kitchen – an unleavened flatbread made of wheat and millet flour, fine chopped aromatic fenugreek leaf, yoghurt-ginger-garlic paste, some spices and little sweetness of jaggery. Typically it is served in breakfast or lunch with yogurt or sweet pickle. Dhebra comes in very handy for the lunch boxes as well. Methi bajra dhebra is best when enjoyed either right after making them or later the same day. Even good for long travel as well.

Simply knead the dough with water and yogurt. Store cooled dhebras in an airtight container and keep them at room temperature. You can also prepare them in various varieties as per your choice. If you want to freeze them, make sure first to let them cool down totally. Then place them into the freezer-proof container with placing butter paper in-between each dhebras.

Re-heat dhebras in a hot pan before consuming them. You may freeze the dough in the freezer and thaw properly before making the dhebra.

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Papad Bhel

Papad Bhel

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Basically, bhelpuri is a popular Indian street-style snack made using puffed rice as its base ingredient. This tangy and very slightly sweet chaat can be made in just 10 minutes if you have the ingredients ready. This papad bhel is a different version of regular bhel. Here is my easy recipe to make at home.

I have a habit of eating papad a lot. This delicious Papad Bhel is most wonderful easy recipe. Actually, papad bhel is an made with chopped onion, tomatoes and boiled potatoes, to which crushed fried Papad adds crunchiness, turning it into an irresistible evening snack. It’s a very handy snack when you want to eat something light and healthy.

The best part is that you can customize it as per your taste. Preparing this healthy and easy evening has a definite way, with the papad cut into long strips of about ¼-inch thickness. To ensure healthy eating, I usually take out the excess oil from the fried papads by soaking the surplus oil with absorbent paper. If you are health-conscious then skip the frying, just roast the papad.

For the tanginess and tartness, I have added spices like chaat masala to it and for freshness the almighty zesty lemon, all of which are easily available. However, make sure that the fried papad does not get crumbled and soggy; otherwise, the chaat will lose crunchiness. To ensure this, Papad should be added to the eclectic mixture just before serving it to guests. This way, the crispy element remains intact and the appetiser taste heavenly delicious.

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Falahari Makhana Chivda

Falahari Makhana Chivda

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Falahari makhana chivda is a very light snack and easy to make and I love it. It’s so handy when you want something to snack on, makhana or lotus seeds are a powerhouse of nutrition, rich in fibre and low in calories too. Makhana is widely used in Indian cuisine like roasted makhana, makhana kheer, raita, curry, etc. I made this super easy and delicious makhana chivda. We all love sweet and tangy chivda recipes or mixture recipes at home. This healthy yet delicious snack is made with sago, makhana, dry fruits, peanuts, coconut chips, and some basic spices that are easily available at home.

What is makhana?
Makhanas is also known as fox nuts, Euryale Ferox, lotus seeds, gorgon nuts, and Phool makhana. These seeds are often used in quite a few Indian sweets and savouries like kheer, or makhana curry, roasted as well. Also eaten as an evening tea-time snack.

Read my Makhana Kheer recipe here: Makhana kheer

I usually make simple ghee roasted makhana for my munchkin. This is a mixture version of makhana with different nuts and usual spices. Making this is a mixture so quick and easy. You just need few minutes to make this crunchy snack. Make a big batch and store it in an airtight container and enjoy whenever required. Makhana chivda is a crunchy, delicious, light and easy snack to prepare at home.

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Vegan Spiced Dry Fruit Laddoo/Balls

Vegan Spiced Dry Fruit Laddoo/Balls

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These Vegan dry fruit bliss balls are perfect for this gloomy summer or any other weather. These laddoos are packed with the goodness of nutrition and amazing flavor. The best part is I made this bliss with jaggery but you can make it with your choice of sweetener.

These laddoos or bliss balls are completely gluten-free, sugar-free, flourless, and easy to make with a handful of ingredients. You can serve this delicious treat with a lunch box or pick on the go or a sweet little treat for your colleague or friends. Or you can enjoy these laddoos with your afternoon tea.

Thanks to heartily fox nut, jaggery, and spices like ginger powder and cardamom, these laddoos are similar to normal dry fruit laddoos. A perfect snack or dessert for any occasion. Dry fruit laddoos are a very classic dessert in Indian cuisine, no matter where you live.

Basically, these laddoos are made with lots of ghee, wheat flour, sugar, and dry fruits. I just like my jaggery more than sugar. So these laddoos are my type of dessert. These laddoos are absolutely delicious that you won’t stop at one.

Lots of love guys and hope you will enjoy it when you will make these laddoos…

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Tikhat Misal Pav

Tikhat Misal Pav

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One of the most famous Maharashtrian recipes, Misal is a scrumptious cocktail of savouries and sprouts! Wholesome and tasty sprouts are cooked with tangy tomatoes and red onions, not to forget the goda masala and the special coconut-coriander-green chilli based misal masala!

One of my Marathi neighbours taught me to make this special green masala that gives a special kick to misal. Misal Pav is a vibrant and delicious and spicy sprouted bean curry topped with crunchy sev farsan, onions, fresh coriander, and lemon. It is served with buttered velvety soft pav or dinner rolls.

What is Misal Pav? 

“Misal” is a spicy vegan sprouted bean curry also known as “matkichi usal” with special masala and “Pav” are buns or dinner rolls. The misal curry is garnished with fresh onions, coriander and farsan and served with warm buttery rolls. Farsan is a crispy and flavourful fried snack that is also used as a garnish in chat and Indian breakfast dishes. The beans are used in this recipe is called Moth.

I love Indian street food and this is one of my favourite Puneri spicy food. It’s mouth-watering street food for me. Misal Pav is relished as a breakfast as well as a snack throughout Maharashtra. It is one of the popular street food in Maharashtra along with other special food.

Give a try to my version of this easy to make spicy Maharashtrian delight at home and feel the local flavour on your plate.

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Green Onion Fritters

Green Onion Fritters

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Delicious and finger-licking snacks for Sunday evening. Also known as pyaz ke pakore… for a lazy beautiful sunny day but tastes absolutely amazing and crispy in texture. These crispy and delicious fritters are undetectable Indian snack made with spring onion, gram flour, rice flour, and few spices. A perfect tea-time snack for tea parties and even great for a movie night.

During monsoon, it is most favoured in Indian families. You can find many street vendors also selling them along with a hot cup of masala tea or some special Indian dips and chutneys. These deep-fried yummlicious fritters are total bliss, you can even use other vegetables in this batter such as potato, cauliflower, baby corn or any vegetable of your choice instead of spring onions also goes always good.

You can add spices, according to your taste buds. I actually love more spicy food, so I always make my food little spicier than the normal one. But it’s totally up to you. AND totally vegan friendly and easy to make. Crunchy outside and soft inside these lip-smacking fritters can be served with any kind of dip or chutney of your choice.

So ENJOY! Stay healthy, stay humble!

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Khasta Nimki

Khasta Nimki (Spicy and Savoury Fried Pastry)

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There is always something special about snacks and tea on a rainy evening. I prefer something dry savoury spicy style snack with my tea. So, what about khasta nimki with a hot cuppa of masala tea? Nimki is a crisp snack bursting with the distinct flavour of kalonji (onion seeds) – perfect for any time snacks. Nimki is actually Bengali jar snacks that should be crispy and flaky or khasta in texture. I love making these tringles in rainy season and winter.

Nimki is easy to make with very few ingredients, the nigella seeds are essential that gives the Nimki special flavour. When you bite this flaky savoury pastry you can feel it’s lusciousness. These spicy, savoury flaky pastry snacks are rolled and folded with ghee and then deep-fried for perfection. It tastes wonderful with your favourite hot beverage, on a rainy evening. There are always someday snacks in my pantry so that I can just take them out and enjoy with my tea.

Packing and moving, lots of stuff going on in my life right now. So I am really short of time but my pre-made snack saves me when I am hungry. Nimki can be made pre and stored in an airtight container for a month. So, if you are looking for an easy and savoury snack recipe for a busy day, you can make nimki and store in an airtight container.

Enjoy this perfect tea time snack. Stay healthy, stay humble!

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Garlic Knots

Garlic Knots

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I love to enjoy baking classic Italian pizzeria style aromatic garlic knots. Most of the pizzeria have this easy and dame delicious snack but nothing can beat homemade one. Amazingly flaky, buttery and umami flavour parmesan cheese with some herbs; your house smells like heaven. Homemade garlic knots made completely from scratch and melts in the mouth.

These appetizing garlicky knots are very easy if you want to make at home. Most of the people like garlic bread even my munchkin also but she goes crazy when she tasted these garlicky knots. Super soft, buttery, and aromatic garlic knots tastes like amazingly delicious. It can be served as snacks also in party snacks or Friday night appetizer. Just serve along with marinara sauce on the side.

When you want to make these savoury aromatic garlic knots then you can also use pre-made pizza dough. Or, if you have time to make your own yeast dough and you can freeze for a busy day but don’t forget to defrost the dough. Cut the dough equal parts and roll each piece into a 7 inch long rope. Take the ends of the knots and make a knot. Brush it with herb and garlic butter and cover them with parmesan cheese without hesitation.

Bake until golden brown then brush more butter and sprinkle parmesan cheese and your home will smell like your favourite pizzeria. These little bits of happiness are really delicious. Just dip your knots into marinara sauce and lekker. This is a perfect snack for any time. Something about garlic knots that is an irresistible aromatic buttery garlicky flavour you never going to forget.

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Spicy Vegan Baked Masala Peanuts

Spicy Vegan Baked Masala Peanuts

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Masala peanut is a spicy and crunchy fried peanut coated with gluten-free chickpea flour and spices. That is usually served with a hot cup of tea or enjoy with your favourite drink during drink parties. I have savoury snacking additions but I prefer something healthy and non-fried with my tea. Well, tea is an important part of Indian evening and for me as well. My day starts with my masala tea and any spicy dry snacks. So, this is my baked version of this classic Haldiram style masala peanuts.

It is healthy, very less oil, gluten-free and super easy to make at home and you can be store for a long time in your kitchen counter in an airtight container. Your kids can also enjoy this guilt-free healthy version of masala peanut. This baked masala peanut is a perfect party starter also and the best part is, it can be prepared in advanced and stored easily.

Making favourite snacks at home is my habit and outcome is so delicious better than store brought. At least I have control over the quality of ingredients and spices without the use of preservatives. The best thing about this non-fried version of masala peanut you can make at home with basic pantry staple ingredients. So, enjoy… one of my most favourite all-time snack but healthy version 🙂

Stay healthy, stay humble!

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