Zhaal Muri

After Zhanzhanit(Marathi word for extra spicy), its Zhaal(Bengali term for extra spicy). Zhaal Muri is a famous bengali chaat, which is as famous in Calcutta as bhel is in Mumbai. Zhaal Muri, meaning spicy mamra(puffed rice/murmura) tastes best when prepared from crisp puffed rice and eaten with extra hot chillies!

I have a Bengali friend here whom I visit quite often. Once I took along murmura chivda for her and she loved it.. Siad that it reminded her of Zhaal Muri, a bengali chaat/snack. She told me how its prepared(plus minus some ingredients) and served.. As a true chaat lover, returning back home, my first task was googling for the recipe.. found it at some places and finally prepared a mix n match combination.. Tasted lovely.. Next time my friend visited me, I said I was preparing sukki bhel(dry) for her. She had the first bite and said "This tastes exactly like Zhaal muri".. Now this was the real compliment and confirmation I was waiting for. :) So this perfect bengali favourite chaat goes for Nupur's "Z of Indian Vegetables"

I just thought what were the other words that come to my mind when i think of Z.. in general, just for timepass.. firstly zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, ofcourse sleep :) secondly Z for Zebra and Zoo, strong basics :) Z for zucchini, a common vegetable here in europe, Z for zunka, a maharashtrian vegetable dish, Z for Zimbabwe, thanks to my love for cricket few years back.. Z for zero, my childhood score for drawwing paper where I painted the sun green and the mango blue. :D Z for zhakkas, my favourite appreciatory word meaning awesome when extremely happy with something... Z for..........Wondering if I have missed some important Z words? :D

Zhaal Muri

Preparation Time:

15-20 mins

Makes:

2-3 servings

What you need:

2-3 cups crisp Puffed Pice(Mamra/Murmura/Muri)
1 Onion, finely chopped
1-2 Potato, boiled and finely diced
1 Tomato, finely chopped
Cucumber chopped (1/4 cup)-Optional
2 tbsp roasted Peanuts
1 tbsp roasted Cashews-Optional
3-4 Green chillies, finely chopped
Jucie of 1/2 Lemon
1/2 tsp Red Chilli Powder
1/2 tsp Corriander Powder
A pinch of Turmeric
2 tbsp chopped Corriander
1 tbsp fresh grated Cocunut
Salt to taste

How to proceed:

1) Mix all the ingredients.
2) Garnish with corriander and cocunut.
3) Serve freshly prepared before mamra's become too soft

I served it topped with crushed Paprika flavoured Potato chips

* Best way to serve....



* A tsp of Mustard oil is usually added at the end before serving. I didnt have it and so didnt opt for it.. The quantity of lime, salt and red chilli powder should be adjusted as desired!