Jhalmuri is a popular street food snack from the Indian subcontinent, particularly cherished in West Bengal and Bangladesh. This savory delight consists of puffed rice mixed with an array of vegetables such as onions, tomatoes, and green chilies, seasoned with mustard oil, spices like chaat masala and roasted cumin powder, and garnished with peanuts and fried lentils. The result is a flavorful and crunchy treat with a delightful blend of spicy, tangy, and savory notes, perfect for munching on the go.
Here’s a simple recipe for making jhalmuri at home. Remember, one of the great things about jhalmuri is its flexibility—you can adjust the ingredients and proportions according to your taste preferences.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of puffed rice (muri)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 small tomato, finely chopped
- 1 small cucumber, finely chopped
- 1 small green chili, finely chopped (adjust to taste)
- 2 tablespoons of roasted peanuts
- 2 tablespoons of fried lentils (dal)
- 1 tablespoon of raw mango, finely chopped (optional)
- 1 tablespoon of fresh coriander leaves, chopped
- 1 tablespoon of mustard oil
- 1 teaspoon of chaat masala
- 1/2 teaspoon of red chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon of roasted cumin powder
- Salt to taste
- A squeeze of lemon juice (optional)
- Sev (thin crispy noodles made from chickpea flour), for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Ingredients:
- Wash and chop all the vegetables finely.
- If you’re using raw mango, peel and chop it finely.
- Keep all the ingredients ready.
- Mixing:
- In a large mixing bowl, add the puffed rice.
- Add the chopped onions, tomatoes, cucumber, green chili, and raw mango (if using).
- Add the roasted peanuts and fried lentils.
- Sprinkle the chopped coriander leaves over the mixture.
- Seasoning:
- Drizzle the mustard oil over the mixture.
- Sprinkle the chaat masala, red chili powder, roasted cumin powder, and salt over the mixture.
- Mix Well:
- Gently toss all the ingredients together until everything is well combined and the spices are evenly distributed.
- Final Touch:
- If using lemon juice, squeeze it over the mixture and give it a final toss.
- Serve:
- Transfer the jhalmuri to serving bowls or paper cones.
- Garnish with sev if desired.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the spicy, tangy flavors of homemade jhalmuri!
Tips:
- You can adjust the spiciness of jhalmuri by increasing or decreasing the amount of green chili and red chili powder.
- Feel free to add other ingredients such as grated carrots, boiled potatoes, or even chopped boiled eggs for variation.
- Serve jhalmuri immediately after preparing to maintain its crispiness.
