There are entire shops dedicated to this snack mix in India, and it’s one of our treasured snacks. The last time I was in India, we all walked to a neighborhood pub, ordered a pitcher of beer, and chowed down on a big bowl of Chewda. It usually consists of chickpea flour noodles, flattened flakes of dried rice, peanuts and seasonings. Here’s my Americanized version. Careful. Once you start… it’s really hard to stop!
| Level: | Easy |
| Total: | 13 min |
| Prep: | 10 min |
| Cook: | 3 min |
| Yield: | 4 cups |
Ingredients
- 2 cups corn cereal (recommended: Corn Flakes)
- 2 cups puffed rice cereal (recommended: Rice Krispies)
- 1/4 cup shelled, skinless peanuts
- 1/4 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
- 2 tablespoons peanut oil
- 1 teaspoon brown or black mustard seeds
- 8 to 10 fresh curry leaves, optional
- 1/2 green serrano chile, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- Small handful plantain chips, optional
- 2 tablespoons golden raisins
- Kosher salt
Instructions
- In a large wok over medium heat, toast the corn cereal, puffed rice cereal, peanuts, and pepitas until the cereals have crisped up, about 2 minutes. Remove from the pan.
- Warm the oil in the same wok over medium heat. Add the mustard seeds (stand back, they’ll pop!), curry leaves, green chile, and turmeric. Cook about 30 seconds. Turn the heat off.
- Add the cereal mixture, plantain chips, if using, and raisins. Season with salt. Toss until well combined, and pour into a big bowl. Crack a beer and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | 1 of 6 servings |
| Calories | 177 |
| Total Fat | 11 g |
| Saturated Fat | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 18 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Protein | 4 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
| Sodium | 89 mg |
Reviews
I’ve made this twice & it was love by all. The 2nd time I used corn chexs & corn flakes because I thought the rice krispies made it hard & messy to eat.
to vegis comment from 12/26/10, why right a comment on the given recipe when u totaly deverted from the actual one. your comment is worthless, if u want to deviate so much get your own show and make what u want, otherwise please dont comment…it doesnt help us who want to know what the actual one taste like!
Okay, so I have always loved the Indian snack food I get from my local Indian store. Don’t know why I never thought to make my own snacks- DUH!!! Thanks Aarti! You inspired me to make Chivda or Chewda.I love curry leaves, and my store pulled a box fresh off the truck for me. I bought a bunch of them and probably used like 30 in this recipe! I did add some garam masala to the mix as well as a little sugar. Used rice chex as well as corn flakes and an assortment of nuts I had on hand. Didn’t think the plantain chips really added anything for me, so I will leave them out next time. Found a recipe for the chickpea flour “noodles” so will make those to add from now on. Three of us devoured the big bowl in a few hours. I know what I am bringing to Super Sunday. I sent a small snack bag of what was left to work with the hubby. He gave some to his Indian co-workers and they all said it was really good and authentic! Now that’s a compliment!
I love how simple this was to make and I was even able to find the curry leaves at a local international market (yes, even in my small town). This is a perfect blend of sweet, salty, and spicy. I will be making a large bowl to take to a 40th birthday party.
I added what I had at home. I used corn flakes, rice krispies, rice chex, and shredded wheat (I crushed, Added shoestring potato chips, and lays potato chips (I crushed, Added roasted peanuts, and raisins. Than I tempered by adding several tablespoons of canola oil, mustard seeds, fennel seeds,I used dry whole red chillies so chewda stays longer, and curry leaves. I put that oil mixture on top of mixed cereal and than I sprinkled several tablespoons of turmic powder, red chilli powder, sugar,and salt as needed, on top of chewda. Later, I took out the dry whole red chillies. Than I mixed it well. It is so good, it gives that salty and sweet and crunchy taste with each bite.
Aarti, great recipe! Thanks for a fantastic show!