A - Z Karnataka Recipe Series ~ G for Girmit

So far in my A - Z Karnataka Series
A - Akki Halbai
B - Biscuit Roti
C - Congress Kadalekayi
D - Davanagere Benne Dose
E - Ellu Pajji
F - Field Beans / Avarekalu Payasa

Spicy, puffed rice based snack is a popular street food in India, with various regional versions thrown in. Each, popular and delicious in it's own way like the bhel puri of Mumbai, jhal muri of Bengal and so on. Girmit, my 'G' recipe of today is another regional variation and comes from the northern regions of Karnataka. It is quite a popular evening snack there and is usually eaten with menasinakayi bajji / mirchi bajji or fried green chillies. 

Preparation of this spicy, tasty and filling snack is quite easy. What makes girmit unique among the category is the addition of a cooked tangy, spicy onion mixture and ground fried gram along with the usual crunchy tidbits like some minced onion, tomato, sev, spicy, fried peanuts and fried green chillies which make it more appealing. The onion mixture can be cooked in advance and refrigerated that makes the preparation of girmit quite a simple one. Combine all the ingredients quickly and serve immediately to retain the crispiness.
 
Ingredients:
About 3 cups of puffed rice / mandakki 
1 tbsp. oil
1/2 tsp. mustard seeds
1/2 tsp. cumin seeds
1 sprig of curry leaves
2 green chillies, chopped
2 onions, finely chopped
A big lemon sized tamarind ball
1/8 tsp. turmeric powder
Jaggery / sugar to taste
Salt to taste
 2 tbsp. powdered fried gram / hurigadale
Ingredients for garnishing:
2 tbsp. powdered fried gram / hurigadale
1/4 cup finely minced red onions
1/4 cup finely minced tomato (optional)
2 - 3 tbsp. finely chopped cilantro
1/4 cup sev
A handful or more of congress kadalekayi 
3 to 4 fried whole green chillies 

Directions:
* Soak tamarind in hot water for few minutes or nuke it along with water in the microwave for a couple of minutes. Squeeze tamarind pulp and collect about 1/2 cup tamarind water.
* Heat oil in a pan. Make a slit along the green chillies and fry them for a couple of minutes. Remove them with a slotted spoon and sprinkle some salt over them. Keep them aside and use them to garnish.
* Add mustard seeds and cumin seeds to the pan. When mustard seeds start to splutter, add green chillies and curry leaves. 

* Saute for few seconds. Add onion and cook until it turns transparent.

* Next add tamarind, turmeric, jaggery, powdered fried gram and salt. Cook the mixture until it turns thick. Turn off the stove and let the mixture cool.

* Add puffed rice to a mixing bowl and the ground fried gram. (If the puffed rice is stale, toast them on low flame for few minutes until crisp.)

* Add the cooked onion mixture next.

* Add onion, tomato, cilantro to the bowl and toss the bowl to combine.
 
* Sprinkle finally sev, congress kadalekayi or fried groundnuts before serving.
 

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