Masala Kadlo / Microwave Masala Peanuts

Masala Kadlo/Masala Peanuts takes me back to my childhood. Amma used to make loads of them and we enjoyed eating them while watching tv or even while studying sometimes. They were deep fried and not guilt free like the one I am going to post now. But during childhood who bothered about Deep fried food, I think that was what we loved the most then! Even now we love deep fried isn’t it? But maybe when we talk about health we start avoiding deep fried regularly.

This snack is really guilt free and you will not miss deep fried snack too :).
This recipe was given by my friend Roopa and i've been making it since then, maybe 4 years now.

Lets get cooking

Ingredients:
3 cups Raw Peanuts
¾ th cup Chickpea Flour/Besan/Gram Flour, sift to remove lumps(adjust accordingly) *check notes
1 tbsp Oil (optional)
Water as required
Salt to taste
2 tsp Red Chilli Powder
½ tsp Haldi/Turmeric Powder
1 tsp Chaat Masala powder(Optional but recommended)
¼ tsp Hing/Asafoetida

Method:

Firstly, add the peanuts in a colander and wash in running water. Transfer the peanuts in a large bowl and add red chilli powder,salt,chaat masala powder,hing,turmeric,oil and salt to taste. Now keep this aside for an hour. *check notes

After an hour add chickpea flour and toss the peanuts to get even coating.

Now grease a large Microwave safe plate and grease it with some oil.

Spread the masala peanuts evenly in the plate.

Put the plate in microwave and microwave them for 2 minutes on high. Take the plate out and mix the peanuts gently for uniform cooking. Use a fork/spoon to mix the peanuts and remove lumps if any.

Place the plate back in microwave and cook them for 3 minutes, taking out at every minute  to mix the peanuts and remove any lumps using fork. I suggest to use oven mittens as the plate will be extremely hot and can burn your hands.

You come to know that the peanuts are done when we get a popping sound like we get when mustard seeds crackle (not necessary all crackle,but when a few do you check on the peanuts immediately). You might feel the peanuts are soft but when cooled they come to right texture. Even in case you’ve taken the peanuts early you need not worry pop them in the microwave again for 2 more minutes.

 Store it in a airtight container when completely cooled .

Enjoy Masala Kadlo.

Aps Notes:

You can add 1 ½ cup of chickpea flour instead of ¾ th cup of flour this gives a thick coating to the peanuts, I like a nice thin coating over the peanuts so I make it this way.

To make garlic flavoured peanuts add 1 tbsp of garlic paste or finely chopped garlic to the peanut mixture.

Adding oil is totally optional I do not add oil always, it always depends on the mood it actually doesn’t make a big difference.

You can MW them in a large bowl too it takes 10 minutes in total while roasting in a bowl. But I personally feel it gets lumpy while in bowl(maybe not all do ;) ).

Always keep an eye on the peanuts after 5 minutes.

If you want to check deep fried version check in my blog Here

Happy Cooking, 

Aps