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Top 5 Kerala snacks that you will love

Indian cuisine is diverse in itself. It is like several cuisines within one! Food of every region and state has different taste and unique characteristics. When you closely look at them, you will find a lovely combination of same ingredients in various ways. And outcome of the same is of course worth appreciating. In this context, we will be focusing on traditional Kerala snacks which are famous worldwide. The richness and soothing flavors of coconut in Kerala snacks are worth giving a try. So let us talk about some of the favorite snacks from Kerala and know about them in detail.

 

Banana chips

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One cannot talk about Kerala cuisine without mentioning banana chips at least once. It is one of the most loved Kerala snacks for kids. The crunchiness and amazing flavor of banana chips is unbeatable. One can definitely not stop themselves from falling in love with this snack. There are different recreations of banana chips if you want to bring about a twist in your usual routine of snacks.

Talking about nutritional value of banana chips, it has potassium that comes from banana. This helps in regulating the blood pressure and ionic balance of our body. Also, we know that banana chips are fried in coconut oil. Hence, the antibacterial and antioxidant properties of coconut will also increase the immunity. One can sprinkle some pepper/black salt/table salt over these chips and enjoy with hot or coffee.

 

Sweet banana chips

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As we talk about banana chips, it would be unfair if we didn’t mention about the sweet ones. Yes, these are special banana chips which are prominently available in Kerala. While the salty ones are made with raw bananas, these are prepared with ripened ones. Hence, the sweetness quotient remains intact.

The ripened bananas are sliced and fried in coconut oil with added sugar. Hints of spices are also added in some cases to enhance the taste of this wonderful Kerala snacks. It is served by Malayalis on all occasions ranging from festivals to house parties and marriages. Again, the nutrition and minerals of banana gets retained in these sweet chips.

 

Sharkara Varatti

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Talking about the recreations of banana chips, one cannot miss out on this mouth watering Kerala snacks. It is a unique version of banana chips which is coated with jaggery and has flavors of ginger and cardamom. It is exclusively restocked for the festival of Onam and is loved by every resident of South India. These are prepared by making slightly thick slices of raw bananas and are fried in coconut oil until they turn golden brown. It is coated with appropriate consistency of jaggery which is fused with flavors of ginger and cardamom.

Looking at the nutritional value, we all know that jaggery gives required warmth to body and helps in maintaining the metabolic activities. On the other hand, ginger is also one of the best anti-inflammatory substances which can also provide immunity against mild infections. Cardamom is another magical ingredient which can cure intestinal problems and constipation.

 

Kerala pakkavada

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Kerala snacks are incomplete without this delicious savory that comes in various shapes and sizes. The best of all is this Kerala pakkavada. It is a crunchy and little bit spicy which can please your taste buds in just one bite. Mostly seen in ribbon shape, this snack can also be consumed alongside spicy biryani or usual fried rice.

It is prepared with a blend of rice flour as well as chickpea flour (besan) kneaded into a semi solid dough. Chilli, turmeric, and some salt are added to bring about a wonderful taste in this Kerala snacks. There are equipments available in market through which it oozes out in ribbon shape. The best part about this snack, is that it gets cooked in less oil and is also very healthy and tasty.

 

Kerala mixture

Kerala snacks for kids

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Did someone say Kerala mixtures? Yes! How can we leave this behind? Mixtures and its unique elements have been favorite snacks to binge upon since forever. The roasted peanuts, the fried curry leaves and flavor of garlic is unforgettable at any cost.

These are prepared and fried separately and then mixed with each other to form a perfect blend of Kerala snacks in one platter. Any get together, party, or festival is dull without Kerala mixture. People from across the Indian subcontinent have expressed their fondness towards this mixture and they have totally loved its taste.

 

After exploring these five favorite Kerala snacks, many of you must have already ordered it online. We are lucky enough, because we can buy Kerala snacks online without much difficulty. So we would love to know which one of these are your favorite Kerala snacks. Share your feedback with us and we will come up with another exciting blog for you.

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10 quick and healthy snacks recipes to try at home

We are a part of an advancing world where people are extremely busy with their lives. Not watching our food and its health quotient has become a trend these days. We are so much into canned food items and readymade junks that the concept of eating healthy snacks has lost somewhere. But, looking at the present day scenario, it is important to inculcate such habits in our younger generation. We have internet, knowledge, and creativity. Why not make use of it to prepare healthy recipes? We have brought to you some healthy snack ideas that will not only kill your boredom but will also impress your taste buds.

 

Dry fruit salad

healthy snacks

Ever imagined about it? Everyone loves dry fruits and nuts. Now you can make something healthy and tasty for yourself as well as your kids. Get raisin, almond, walnut, peanut, cashew, pistachio, figs, and other dry fruits that you have around you. Dry roast them in a deep vessel or usual pan. Chop them into small pieces and mix all of them together. Now, whenever you feel hungry, just take two tablespoons of this mixture and add 1 tablespoon honey to it. Mix it and eat this healthy snack instantly. Instead of consuming deep fried or oily snacks, you can prepare this and eat healthily.

Veg Omelet

Now you may wonder, how can an omelette be a vegetarian dish? True! But we will tell you something very unique now. Just soak one bowl rava in water for 10 minutes. Add half bowl chickpea flour or besan to it and bring it to a thick batter like consistency. Now you can add chopped onions, fresh coriander leaves, chopped tomatoes, etc. Add salt to taste and a pinch of turmeric powder. Now, heat pan and spread half teaspoon olive oil. Spread the batter and cook it like a pancake. It will taste exactly like an omelette with a veggie twist. It is one of the best healthy snacks for kids who demand junk food every now and then.

Sweet corn chunks

healthy snack ideas

Not a very big fan of the usual boiled/roasted sweet corn? We have something new for you. Just grind the sweet corn kernels after boiling and add little bit spices to taste. Take a hand full of it and shape it like a pancake. Heat the pan and spread half teaspoon olive oil. Roast this sweet corn from both the sides for 5 minutes. Sprinkle some lemon juice and enjoy it. Instead of having something cheesy and rich in fat, you can rely upon this delicacy.

Sprout mix

These sprouts hardly fascinate people unless they are in strict dieting mode. But now, we will make it interesting for you. All you have to do is soak soybean seeds, gram, kidney beans, and other sprouts which you like. Boil them with a pinch of salt and turmeric until they turn soft. Add some pepper and olive oil and your sprout mix salad is ready to eat.

Biscuit fudge

healthy snacks for kids

Gone are the days when you craved for having fudge because now we have very interesting and healthy fudge for you. You just need few digestive biscuits and coffee. Prepare black coffee with a little bit of jaggery. Dip the biscuits in the black coffee mixture and soak until it turns soft. Arrange the biscuits in a layer with a little bit of peanut butter in between. The sweet combination of digestive biscuit, coffee, and peanut butter is the best snacks for kids.

Cornflakes with a twist

Who doesn’t like corn flakes? It is something which is loved by everyone. Let us create healthy snacks by adding a twist to it. Roast cornflakes a little more along with peanuts. Add black salt and pepper and toss them nicely in a wide vessel. Enjoy it with a tea or filter coffee.

Banana cake

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Amidst the black forest and chocolate fudge cake, people will hardly think of creating something unbelievable. Mash the bananas and mix it with rice flour. Add brown sugar to it along with a pinch of baking powder. Instead of baking it, just steam the mixture in idly maker or momo steamer. This is one of the healthiest cakes you will ever eat.

Reuse filter coffee grains

Instead of worrying about the workout after consuming chocolate, you can create something healthy from filter coffee grains. Add a teaspoon full of it in milk and make it chocolaty instantly. Instead of taking calories, try to eat healthy snacks which add lesser calories to your body.

Muesli delight

snacks for kids

Muesli is already a very interesting and healthy breakfast in itself. Adding some twist to eat during snack hours will take it to another level. Add some muesli to warm milk and add honey for sweetness. Along with that, you can add chopped cherries, grapes, blueberries, and figs in it. Can you already imagine the taste of this yummy dish? Try it once!

Leafy munch

There are very few people who like green leafy salad or vegetables. In this context, we will tell you something that is very easy and delicious. Take lettuce, cabbage, purple cabbage, some coriander leaves, and spinach. Blanch them in warm water for five minutes and immediately soak it in chilled water. Chop the leaves nicely, add some olive oil, salt, pepper, and chilli flakes. You can always rely on it when feeling hungry.

 

Therefore, after looking at all these delicious recipes the concept of junk food is totally disproved. A snack can also be healthy and deliver nutrients to your body. Share your idea of healthy snacks and let us know your experience after trying out the above mentioned quick recipes. We are awaiting your feedback on this!

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Murukku with twist and turns in tradition

A snack has no shape, no occasion, and no reason to eat! It is welcomed and enjoyed at any time of the day or year. And here, we have a beloved and crunchy snack from the rich cuisine of south India. Yes! We are talking about Murukku. The thick batter, when twisted into a spiral shape and allowed to turn golden brown in hot oil, is worth relishing. It will be very interesting to explore fun facts about Murukku and the age-old equipment used to prepare the same. With a number of changes taking place in our tradition, one thing which has remained intact is the love for Murukku and its taste.

 

What is murukku?

murukku

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The name itself says “twisted.” It is a crunchy snack, particularly well-known in the southern part of India. Its popularity has eventually travelled to western side along with people trying out different recipes in north India as “Chakli”. The foundation being rice flour, besan, and urad dal, Murukku has been uniform throughout these years. Even after years, people love the same old crunchy texture of this snack. The only thing which has evolved is its shape. However, some small modifications are made such as the addition of certain spices, flavours, etc.

 

History of murukku

Small Murukku

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Apart from being famous all over India, its magic has spread to Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Singapore too. Did you know that things made out of rice flour, urad dal, and chickpea flour (besan) were always considered as auspicious? This is the reason behind rangoli made from rice flour is still an unbeatably auspicious ritual. Earlier we had the custom of mixing rice flour and urad dal with jaggery to make a lovely sweet. Then we started grinding them into a semi-solid dough to make flat paapdi like snacks. Slowly it was accompanied by crushed pepper, roasted cumin seeds, and what not! And finally, we have murukku with us in the most amazing form.

 

Nutritional value of murukku

As far as the nutritional value is concerned, you will find that all the staple ingredients are used. All the ingredients are easily digestible and healthy from the nutrition point of view. Although rice flour and urad dal have less fibre quotient, murukku made out of chickpea is rich in fibre. Apart from that, it is loaded with carbohydrates and calcium. Talking about vitamins, this snack has vitamin C in small quantity which is very useful for skin and gums. So overall if you analyze, it is a healthy snack to buy.

 

Occasions where murukku is served

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Be it the festival or any other occasion like house warming ceremony, murukku has become an indelible part. We have seen in marriages that it is a part of return gift too. Deewali, Pongal, and even Christmas are incomplete if you didn’t share few murukkus with your friends and relatives. Even in birthdays and parties, there is a special place for this snack and other south Indian savouries. It is amazing that this one ancient snack can fit into any occasion without making people feel bored about it. Even the 10 minutes of tea break becomes wonderful when it is served along with the hot beverage.

 

Types of murukku

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We have come across different murukku recipes which include different ingredients in varying proportions. After exploring the history and nutritional value, let us ponder upon the types of murukku we have at present.

  • The first of its kind is kai murukku which is prepared with a stiff dough. It is twisted and made in the form of a large coil with the help of hand only.
  • The famous Mannaparai murukku is named after the town in Tamilnadu. It is dark golden in colour because of the spices added to it. Also, it has roasted cumin seeds which enhance the taste and makes it much better.
  • There is a special kind of murukku for Gokulashtami which is made in the special steel apparatus with a perforated plate at one end and piston on the other. The semi-solid dough is filled up to brim and piston is pushed. The dough oozes out of perforation in small string-like shape. It is coiled and directly allowed into hot oil for deep frying. Apart from the coiled form, it also has a usual stick like shape with spiny texture too.
  • There are different chakli recipes too which are prepared with chickpea flour. It is steamed and made into a dough by adding roasted cumin seeds and some amount of spices. Chakli is also prepared like coiled murukku but with the help of steel apparatus and different plate with a single slit. Chakli is more prominent in Maharashtra and Karnataka.
  • Thenukuzhal murukku, on the other hand, is something which is little spicier and also has white sesame seeds.
  • And then, comes the most special murukku from traditional cuisine of Kerala. It is none other than Achu murukku which resembles the shape of the flower and is sweet to taste. It has a special flower like stencil which gives it the shape.

 

Thus, after looking at all the facts and murukku types, it is evident that it is one of the most favourite snacks. And we are sure that it will continue to amaze our taste buds for next few centuries too. As a kid, we all waited eagerly for our moms to make this delicacy in special occasion. But now, we all have the privilege to buy murukkus online by just sitting in our homes. So make use of this opportunity and share your unique murukku recipe with us. We are all ears when it comes to snacking!

 

External references

Murukku – The famous tea time snack

Murukku Galore