Charmure Upkari (Puffed rice upkari)

Charmure Upkari  / Puffed rice upkari - (A tasty evening snack in Konkan cuisine)


Serves: 2 - 3

Ingredients

2 teaspoon oil

1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds

1/2 teaspoon jeera (cumin seeds)

1 spring curry leaves or 6 nos

1 green chilli, slit lengthwise

1/4 teaspoon teaspoon turmeric powder

1/4 teaspoon red chilli powder

1 cup (200 ml / 8 oz - Indian standard measuring cup) puffed rice (charmuro)

2 pinches hing (asafoetida)

1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

2 tablespoon fried peanuts (optional)

2 tablespoon sev or aloo bhujia (optional)

2 tablespoon kara boondi (optional

Method

Heat oil in a frying pan on medium heat. Add mustard seeds. When they begin to crackle, add jeera, curry leaves and slit green chilli. Saute for 2 -3 minutes.

Add turmeric powder and red chilli powder. Saute for 2 minutes.

Add puffed rice, hing, salt to taste. Stir well continuously for 10 minutes on a low heat until crisp and spices are well mixed with puffed rice.

Finally, mix with fried peanuts / kara boondi / sev or aloo bhujia. Store it an airtight container. Serve with tea / coffee  or a plain snack or serve it upma  (uppumaav) / batata poha ...

Another variation - Mix the puffed rice mixture with 1 tablespoon finely chopped onions and 1 tablespoon finely chopped tomatoes. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon lemon juice and decorate with chopped coriander leaves. Consume immediately.