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Chivda, is a generic name for a savory snack made with fried or shallow fried puffed or flattened rice (murmura, Poha). a savory Granola/trail mix if you will. Jump to Recipe
It is spiced with green or red chili, has nuts and dried fruits, sometimes has combinations of fried chickpea flour noodles(thin or thick Sev) or potato noodles(Aloo bhujia) and sometimes made sweet and salty. There are several varieties and names for the snack depending on the region in India. It is a fun option for a craving between meals to just munch on something. We Indians crave spice and salt more than sweet.:)
Most items in the Chivda are usually fried, and it becomes a somewhat unhealthy option. This one is roasted on the stove top with minimal oil and makes for a healthyier and very flexible chivda recipe.
We usually make the version with enough added nuts. The balance of some crunchy rice krispies/puffed rice and nuts let you munch on it, without over dosing on nuts.
If you would like to avoid nuts, replace the nuts with roasted chickpeas or red Lentils. Most pictures are with the Roasted sprouted Chickpeas. I usually sprout the chickpeas or red lentils, Toss them in a little oil and bake them at 330 degrees F in one layer, until almost crunchy. To sprout beans. lentils, seeds, see Healthful Pursuits Sprouting tutorial here.
You can add Roasted garam masala chickpeas, which are cooked chickpeas roasted with spices as well. The great thing about sprouting the chickpeas or any beans or lentils, is that you dont have to cook them before roasting. I am currently loving red lentils this way coz they add a smaller crunch.
You can add any seeds, grain flakes or other things you would normally add to a granola.
Variations:
Add multigrain cereal flakes, puffed amaranth, Oats, grain flakes
Add nuts of choice, (mom loves peanuts)
Add large Coconut flakes,
Add seeds – sunflower, pumpkin , watermelon, sesame.
This one below has Almond slivers, Walnuts and Cashews.
Chivda
Chivda, is a generic name for a savory snack made with fried or shallow fried puffed or flattened rice (murmura, Poha). a savory Granola/trail mix if you will.
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon organic canola oil
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds, Optional
- 1 green chili pepper chopped
- 8-10 curry leaves chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1 teaspoon raw sugar or powdered Jaggery, Optional
- 1 cup loaded Puffed rice
- 1 cup loaded brown rice krispies
- 1/4 cup each of raisins, dried cranberries or other dried fruit
- 1/2 cup Roasted sprouted chickpeas , or roasted sprouted red lentils or Nuts of choice
- 2 Tablespoons dry watermelon seeds- Magaj, Or sunflower seeds
- 2 Tablespoons sesame seeds
- 1/4 cup roasted chana dal-dalia, you can find this in indian store(Optional)
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a wide pan over medium high heat. Add mustard seeds when hot
- As mustard seeds crackle, add green chili, and curry leaves. (Cover the pan immediately for few seconds to not get splattered by hot oil when you add the curry leaves) You can substitute finely chopped cilantro for curry leaves too. Let the cilantro become completely crisp before the next step.
- Lower the heat to medium low.
- Add raisins, cranberries (and nuts- about 1 cup, and chana daal, if using) and keep stirring for 30 seconds.
- Add fennel seeds, Roasted chickpeas or lentils, watermelon/sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, salt and turmeric. Mix well for a few seconds.
- Add the rise krispies, puffed rice. Mix well until the turmeric color is well distributed(about a minute).
- Take off heat. Add sugar if using, a 1/4 tsp chili powder for spice, taste and adjust salt, mix well and let cool before serving or storing in an airtight container for a few weeks.
Notes
Nutritional values are based on one serving
Nutrition
Calories: 134kcal, Carbohydrates: 12g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 185mg, Potassium: 116mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 270IU, Vitamin C: 23.1mg, Calcium: 33mg, Iron: 2.5mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this recipe? Rate and comment below!
Make a fun chaat salad with this mix. Toss in some chopped onion, tomato, boiled potatoes, boiled chickpeas(black chickpeas work best), Chutneys(tamarind or cilantro), and chaat masala!
This crunchy snack is being shared at Hearth and soul blog hop, Slightly indulgent Tuesdays, Allergy Free Wednesdays, Glutenfree Wednesdays, Ricki’s wellness weekends.
I need someone to design me a cute logo for “Hobby and More” and for “Vegan Chutney“(Stay tuned for the launch!) If you would like to donate your expertise, please ping me!
yummy..i’ve neva had chivda before..new to me….thanx for sharing this wonderful recipe….frst time ur blog..loved most of recipes..glad to follow u!
visit me,
https://subhieskitchen.blogspot.co.uk/
Thank you Subhi! i will surely drop by.
Yum! I’ve never had actual chivda before (though have tried things like it) but it sounds wonderful. I love a nice salty, spicy snack, and this sounds like a great healthy option!
Thanks Willow. It is like a moderately healthy snack, which also controls the hunger pangs and over consumption of sweet or nuts:)
Perfect snack to munch on……love the ingredients used in this….
Thank you Lubna. It sure is!
I am a total grazer so I think I could pretty much LIVE on this stuff! I love the various textures and will satisfy my salty afternoon cravings in a way that a handful of nuts just can’t.
I am sooooooo excited for vegan chutney (I saw your comment above to Caitlin)! It looks pretty dang amazing already!
Thanks Kristy! I think thats why people back home created this snack for kids who keep munching:)
Thank you so much! Hopefully will be able to straighten out some kinks soon!
I’ve got to be that person that asks a silly question… what’s the difference between this and jhal muri? My gosh I fell in love with jhal muri in India. I could eat that stuff like it was going out of STYLE. Wow.
Leanne, Jhal mudi is more like a fresh Chaat salad. Depending on the region it can be Tossed with chaat masala and dried sev and nuts, or also onions, tomatoes, boiled potatoes, boiled peanuts(i love boiled peanuts), tamarind chutney or other chutneys. Its usually mixed in fresh when you order. 🙂
This is a roasted snack which can stored, and you can use this to make jhal mudi as well. just add some lemon juice, salt pepper, onions, tomatoes and cilantro!
this snack looks just awesome. i love it
This savory snacks sounds and looks awesome ! Just love everything in there !
yum! that looks delicious! right up my alley! thanks for sharing!
I never would have thought to use roasted chickpeas! What a splendid idea! Thanks for sharing. =)
Thanks Erins!:)
savory cereal? that sounds awesome! i wish i could make this right now, it would totally hit the spot!
and did i miss something? what is vegan chutney?
We ate several versions while growing up:) with some more additions and changes in cooking style, they end up being a healthy snack option!
sneak a peak at veganchutney.com . will hopefully finish up a couple more things on it in a week 🙂
wow! is it like a tumblr page of all your food? or kind of like foodgawker but only for vegan indian food? looks AWESOME!
Its foodgawker of all indian vegan food. I am working on the look and adding options and stuff. hopefully will help people find more indian vegan options. A lot of indian food is already vegan, also naturally glutenfree, but never categorized so on many blogs and sites.
what a fantastic idea, richa!
i reeeeeeeeally need to get my butt into gear and start making indian food, particularly all of you recipes.
could you make me a list of spices/herbs i should get that you use for the majority of your recipes? i think i get overwhelmed and don’t know what to get!
A staple in my house for snack while growing up. Its very healthy.
ooh i have to send you a starter kit.. it went on the backburner with the fundraiser. I am making one today and sending it out. i dont have tiny spice boxes.. so i am just packing in whatever i can find:)
heres is vaishalis pantry list https://www.holycowvegan.net/p/indian-vegan-pantry.html . she has marked the more important ones in bold. I’ll send you the dry stuff which will reach by monday. you can pick up the veggies and start cooking!:)