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During the monsoon season, the rain brings out a special kind of cravings among people, the kind that calls for something crispy, spicy, and full of flavour. However, with the rising health concerns in India, people are shifting their preferences from bhajias and samosas to some gluten-free alternative that can be both wholesome and satisfying.
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Well, there are enough Indian munchies that skip the wheat without skipping the taste. This article shares five recipes that are simple, comforting, and perfect for when it’s raining outside. These snacks do not require any fancy ingredients from your pantry and are easy to make at home.
Ragi Dosa
Ragi dosa is a healthy south indian dish made from finger millet flour. It is a light and crispy snack that can satisfy your taste during these rainy days. To whip up, prepare a batter with ragi flour, yoghurt, salt, chopped coriander, green chillies, ginger, curry leaves, hing, and chopped onion. Mix using your hands till well combined. For the tempering, heat a tempering pan, add oil, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, asafoetida, and let the seeds splutter. Take it off the heat and add it to the batter. Heat a non-stick tawa on high heat, add a ladle of the batter, and spread it evenly. Reduce the heat to medium and drizzle a little oil on the dosa. Cook for 1 minute, flip, and cook the other side till cooked completely. Take it off the heat and serve hot with coconut chutney and sambhar.
Sweet Potato Halwa
If you have a sweet tooth, try this warm and comforting sweet-potato halwa. This indulgent treat can be prepared with just a few ingredients. Start by peeling and mashing the sweet potato, and keep it aside. Then heat oil in a pan and fry the cashews. Remove when they become golden and keep aside. In the same oil, add the mashed sweet potatoes. Stir well and saute for 3-4 minutes on medium heat. Add sugar, cardamom powder, saffron, and stir to mix. When cooked, garnish it with fried cashews and serve.
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Roasted Makhan
Makhana, also known as fox nuts, is a popular and healthy snack, especially during the monsoon season. This light snack turns crispy quickly and doesn’t need much cooking effort; simply dry roast the makhanas in ghee or oil until they become crunchy. You can toss in some salt, pepper, turmeric, or a pinch of chaat masala for extra flavour. You can roast makhanas in big batches and store them in airtight containers or jars for later use. It's one of the easiest and most reliable rainy-day munchies.
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Moong Dal Fritters
Mooong dal fritters are a crispy, spicy snack perfect for monsoon chai time. To make them in a jiffy, soak moong dal in hot water for at least 15 minutes, then drain and blend with ginger, chilli, spices, baking powder, oil, and a little water into a thick batter. Mix in chopped onion, garlic, greens, and cilantro. Scoop spoonfuls onto a parchment-lined tray. Spray lightly with oil. Bake at 220°C for about 18 minutes until golden. Sprinkle chaat masala if you like. Serve with green chutney, tomato chutney, or ketchup. These also taste great dipped in kadhi or added to curry.
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Bajra Tikki
Bajra, known for its high nutritional value, particularly its rich content of fibre, protein, and iron, can be transformed into a hearty, filling snack that’s great for rainy days. The tikkis are made by combining bajra flour with mashed potatoes, onions, green chillies, and spices. They are then shaped into patties and shallow-fried until golden brown. Serve these delicious tikkis with mint chutney or ketchup for a tasty and healthy snack option. These flavourful tikkis are perfect for a tea-time snack or as an appetiser.
