Chekkalu

Chekkalu is a traditional andhra style or telugu cuisine snack made with rice flour and soaked chana dal. Lets have a look at the recipe.

Ingredients

• 2 cup rice flour, fine
• ½ tsp pepper, crushed
• 1 tsp cumin / jeera
• 1 tsp sesame / til
• pinch hing / asafoetida
• 1 tbsp butter, room temperature
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 inch ginger
• 1 chilli
• handful curry leaves
• ¼ cup chana dal, soaked 1 hour
• water to knead
• oil for frying

How to make Chekkalu

• firstly, in a large bowl take 2 cup rice flour, ½ tsp pepper, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp sesame, pinch hing and ½ tsp salt.
• add 1 tbsp butter and mix well. crumble and mix until the flour turns moist.
• add crushed curry leaves, chilli and ginger mixture to flour.
• also add ¼ cup chana dal (soaked for 1 hour).
• mix well making sure all the spices are combined well.
• further add water as required and knead to smooth and soft dough.
• now grease the butter paper with oil. alternatively use plastic sheet or banana leaf.
• pinch a small ball sized dough.
• further, flatten over greased butter paper.
• press gently, forming a slightly thin disk.
• peel the chekkalu gently, and deep fry on medium hot oil.
• make sure to flip over and fry both sides on low or medium flame.
• fry until the chekkalu turns crisp and slightly golden which will take approximately 10 minutes.
• drain off over kitchen paper to absorb excess oil.
• finally, store chekkalu in an airtight container and enjoy for a month.

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