Monday Bites

I have been looking for an outlet for my recipes: My Quick Fixes. I enjoy cooking thoroughly and don’t like to spend hours cooking as well. Hmm... Hence the balance: Quick Fix: And plus, the lesser time you spend, chances of you making it healthier are higher. Don’t ask me why... but I have noticed it in my cooking. Now due to lack of creative options: I am starting it right here: Monday Bites.
Aim: To post at least bi-monthly for some quick creative recipe I experimented with. Or I ate at a friend's place.
Reason: I am a foodie and I enjoy a few dishes and the simplicity of cooking them.
Purpose: Just to share!

So here is my first Monday Bite of Quick Fix: I guess my previous two posts: Apple Cobbler and Stuffed Peppers fit in well as well.

It is no secret that I am a snacker. And it is also no secret that I "try" to cook healthy => Olive Oil, bare minimum cheese and even lesser of fried food. And it is no secret that I looooove Namkeen- The bhujia, the chivda's and the category of super marwadi snacks.
This Paryushan, I have quit fried food at home => No eating anything fried at home... which implies: Yes I can come over to your house and eat. :-) But seriously, it is good, it will keep my unhealthy snacking in control. Or that’s the plan
Now how this fit in my Monday Bite does: I made "Cereal Chivda": No frying, 2 tsp of olive oil and it was super yummy!

Name: yummy Namkeen (Per my daughter)
Time to cook: 10-15 minutes (If you using out of box cereal which I use)
Ingredients
3 cups each toasted rice cereal or 6 cups thin poha
2-3 fresh chilies (I used jalapeño)
2 tsp Olive oil (Feel free to use any other oil of your preference)
1 teaspoon Rai
1/4 cup roasted unsalted peanuts
1/4 cup roasted unsalted Chana (Feel free to use almonds/ cashews/ walnuts)
1/4 cup raisins or dried cranberries if you like the sweet-spice flavor
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 teaspoon sugar : Optional. I recommend adding it, it gives a nice combination flavor.
1 teaspoon salt
Few curry Patta leaves (optional)
Spice: Red Chili Powder, Amchoor, Haldi

Steps to bliss:
1. Spread poha in a 12- by 17-inch baking pan. Bake in a 200º regular or convection oven, stirring occasionally, until flakes are very crisp, about 20 minutes.
If using the cereals, omit this step. I have always made it with Rice Crispies. It reduces one step for the lazy me.
You can also add any other cereal you like, mix and match for variation. I have tried Honey Oats, Cheerios, Wheat Bran, Kellogs original etc.
2. Meanwhile, rinse and dry chilies. Chop finely (do not seed).
3. Pour oil into a 5- to 6-quart pan over medium-high heat; when hot, add rai and stir until they begin to brown, about 30 seconds.
4. Add chilies and stir for 1 minute. Add Kadhi Patta until crisp. About 30 seconds
5. Add peanuts, and any other nut, raisins, cranberries etc. Stir until fruit is puffy, about 1 minute. Add lime juice, salt, red chili powder, amchoor and turmeric; stir until blended. Add sugar if you like.
6. Reduce heat to medium. Add poha/ cereal/ Any other cereal and stir until completely infused with spiced oil and golden throughout, about 6 minutes.
---- You can add dried Nariyal flakes.
7. Let mix cool completely. Serve or wrap airtight.
8. Enjoy

Next time you make a batch... mix and match.
Example: Rice Crispies + Peanuts + Raisins
Cheerios + Kellogs Original + Dried Cranberries + Chana
Wheat Bran + Raisins + Cheerios + Walnuts + Almonds
With the nuts you add, it makes it high in protein> Being vegetarian and not liking Daal as much, this really helps!

Cook Away!