Masala Puffed Rice Mixture

Bajji Pappu.

Puffed rice mixture is quite famous chaat all over India. In this Andhra version of puffed rice mixture / maramarala mixture, puffed rice is tossed with a cooked spicy yellow peas gravy along with freshly chopped onion and tomato for freshness and crunch. The puffed rice chaat is spicy and mouthwatering and served instantly.
Makes: around 2 1/2 Cups of Masala Puffed Rice Mixture.

Ingredients:

• Puffed Rice 2 Cups
• Onion 1 Small
• Tomato 1 Large
• Green Chiles 1
• Cilantro a handful Leaves
• Lemon Juice 1/2 tsp
• Roasted Peanuts 1 tbsp
• Salt to taste

Masala:

• Cooked Yellow Peas 2 tbsps
• Cloves 1
• Cinnamon 1/2 inch Stick
• Star Anise 1/4 inch Piece
• Whole Red Chiles 1 – 2
• Onion 1/2 of Small One
• Besan / Gram Flour 1 tsp
• Salt to taste
• Oil 1/2 tsp

Method of preparation:

Peel and finely chop the onion.
Wash and finely chop the tomato.
Remove stems, wash and finely chop the green chiles.
Clean, wash and finely chop the cilantro leaves.
Add few tablespoons of water to the besan and mix well without any lumps.
Keep it aside as a thickening agent.

Heat oil in a pan, add cloves, cinnamon, star anise and red chiles.
Fry for few seconds or until aromatic, add chopped onion.
Fry till onion turns translucent.
Cool all the ingredients to room temperature and grind them into fine paste adding enough water.

Heat a sauce pot on medium flame, add cooked yellow, and ground masala paste and salt.
Add quarter cup of water and boil for 5 – 10 minutes.
Stir in the besan mixture and cook for a minute or two.
Remove from heat and cool the masala mixture to room temperature.

In a mixing bowl, add puffed rice, chopped onion, tomato, green chiles, cilantro, lemon juice, roasted peanuts and masala mixture.
Mix everything together with hands while lightly squeezing the puffed rice.
Taste and adjust the salt if necessary.
Instantly serve masala puffed rice mixture as a chaat.
Notes: Make sure to serve the masala puffed rice mixture immediately, else it turns soggy.

Suggestions: Add few pinches of red chile powder to the puffed rice for spice.
Variations: You can also crumble some plantain fritters or green chile fritters if you wish.
Other Names: Maramarala Mixture, Bajji Pappu, Spicy Mamra Chaat, Andhra Puffed Rice Chaat.