As the evening sets in, hunger pangs shout out aloud and you don’t find a healthy-cum-tasty way to pacify it. Looking for something that can be made in no time, without oil and can be stored in a Dabba to be used several times over? Jowar Puff Chivda or Sorghum Puff Mixture could be the answer. It’s a ridiculously easy-to-make, super crunchy and delicious snack of desi jowar, peanuts and coconuts tossed over with a few spices and salt. The jowar puffs or popcorns puffed up without oil leave one amazed with their lightness, and unique taste over the traditional popcorns. Cooked with negligible oil, this fibre-rich, low-calorie traditional snack is great for the fitness-freaks and those with health concerns.
Tradition Of Jowar Puff Chivda And The Importance Of Jowar
Jowar Puff Chivda is an indigenous healthy snack made of jowar kernels that are consumed popularly in Maharashtra and Gujarat, especially during the Holi celebrations. These are made in households in large batches to be eaten over a long time. Typically, jowar dhani is puffed in a big pan full of sand with a sieve, it can be easily roasted and puffed in a pan at home too. The best thing about Jowar popcorn or puffs is that they are made without using any oil or butter, taste good, are prepared within a few minutes and are healthier than traditional popcorn. There isn't sufficient information to confirm the origin of this snack, but jowar is used to make other popular food items too. These include Bhakri, Jowar roti, Jowar Thepla, Jowar Cheela, Jowar Upma and Jowar Dosa.
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Jowar is a variety of millet crops grown predominantly in Maharashtra and Karnataka. In recent times, the nutritional benefits of Jowar have been reaffirmed and they are being considered a substitute for wheat because of their wheat-like texture and taste. The gluten-free, zero fat and micro-nutrients, and potassium-rich millet crop is called a superfood for obvious reasons. It has become a hot favourite among fitness enthusiasts and is great for those suffering from diabetes. These are known to promote weight loss, fortify the bones, control bad cholesterol levels, improve digestion, regulate sugar levels and amplify immunity. The list is indeed long.
Cooking: 10 minutes
Servings: 2
Ingredients:
• 1 cup raw jowar
• 2 tsp ghee
• ¼ tsp asafoetida or hing
• ½ tsp mustard seeds
• 2 tbsp dry coconut (thinly sliced and chopped)
• 2 tbsp peanuts
• ¼ tsp turmeric powder
• ½ tsp chilli powder
• Salt to taste
Method:
1. Take a pan and heat it and add raw jowar into it and cover it with a lid.
2. Leave it for 1 min then half cover the pan and keep stirring till it pops.
3. Remove the jowar puffs from the pan.
4. In the same pan add ghee, asafoetida, and mustard seeds and let it sputter. Then add peanuts, coconut pieces, and puffed jowar and mix well.
5. Lastly, add salt and mix well. Take out in a bowl and serve.
This evening, snack on Jowar Puff Chivda with a glass of fresh fruit juice and revive the earthy and fulfilling desi flavours in your mouth. It can be prepared once and stored in an airtight container for munching whenever and wherever one wants.
