Chivda or chuda is a popular spicy Indian snack. This crunchy mix of fried stuff is loved by all and eaten anytime of the day. There are different varieties of chivdas, some made with poha/flattened rice while some are made with different fried components made with chickpea flour(besan) like sev or boondi. Some have fried nuts and dried fruits. Here we have made corn flake chuda which is the spicy version. There is also a sweeter version of this that has sugar powder coated on the flakes.

Ingredients :

• Corn flakes – 4 cups full .
• Besan ( gram flour ) – 1 cup .
• Peanuts – 1/4 cup .
• Cashew nuts – 2 Tbsp .
• Roasted grams – 2 Tbsp .
• Curry leaves – 2 Tbsp.
• Dry coconut pieces – 2 Tbsp .
• Oil for deep frying .

For sprinkling masala :

• Red chilli powder – 2 tsps .
• Salt – 1 tsp .
• Asafoetida powder – 1/2 tsp .

In a small bowl mix all these and keep aside .

Method :

1. Sieve the besan in a bowl .
2. Make a well in center of the flour .
3. Heat one tbsp of oil in a ladle and pour in the well .
4. Gather flour to the center, sprinkle water and knead to a smooth dough .
5. Divide the dough in to parts and make balls using oil and knead well .
6. Heat oil in a deep frying pan .

7. Apply oil to Murukku Maker ( inner side ) with sev disc and fill with prepared ball .
8. Press directly in to the hot oil in a round motion as much as the oil holds .
9. When it is cooked turn over gently and fry till crispy on both sides .
10. Prepare all sev in the same manner. Put in a colander and allow the oil to drain well .

11. Crush in to small pieces and when still warm, sprinkle a little masala mixture over it and keep aside .
12. In the same oil fry cashew nuts, peanuts, roasted dal, dry coconut pieces and curry leaves. Each one separately . Mix everything and sprinkle masala powder over this evenly . Keep it aside .
13. Again in the same oil fry corn flakes, a hand full at a time .
14. After deep frying all the corn flakes , spread over absorbent paper to drain the excess oil.
15. Sprinkle masala powder over corn flakes evenly, when it is still warm .
16. Mix every thing, sev, corn flakes , cashew nuts , peanuts , dal , coconut pieces and curry leaves in a bowl or paper . Sprinkle extra salt and chilli powder if needed .

17. Store in a clean air-tight container after it has cooled down to the room temperature .