Healthy Chivda and Thanks

A cup of hot 'garam chai' (hot tea) and a bowl of spicy chivda, perfect for a summer evening! Or let's just say any evening! I'm sure all of us desis relate to that... but I dont! Because I am a South Indian at heart - I am a coffee drinker! I love my coffee .. morning or evening! Hot filter kapi (coffee) is more like my style! Though I've got accustomed to the taste of either black coffee or a cup of hot Taster's Choice Coffee with milk! Ok, ok now I am deviating from the point.
Everyone at my home are evening tea drinkers except me! And along with their chai they like something to nibble on. So to please their palate, I came up with this healthy snack! My kids love any kind of chivda. They can eat it by the bowlful (as long as it is not too spicy!) . In South India, chivda is usually called 'mixture'. Like the name suggests it is a mixture of various things and is spiced with some chilli powder, seasoned and served as a tea time snack. It keeps for a long time and can be stored in air-tight jars! My only tryst with the chivdas and mixtures back home in India are that they are too greasy and too un-healthy to be eaten on an everyday basis!
So to make truce, I usually make this healthy chivda with cereal! No more guilt when you eat chivda!
This is my friend Shabna's recipe and creative idea! Thanks Shabs for this wonderful snack. I bet u think that i never make it and have forgotten all about it!


Healthy, Tasty Cereal Chivda

You will need:
Actually you can use any cereal of your choice, but I use these.
One box Kellogs Corn Flakes
One Box Kellogs Rice Crispies
One Box GM Whoel Grain Kix Cereal
3 tsp Red Chilli Powder
1 tsp Turmeric Powder
Salt to taste
1 cup Peanuts (or store bought Salted Spanish Peanuts - one box)
1 cup Whole Cashews
1 cup Channa Dalia (Chutney Dal)
3 sprigs curry leaves
2 tbsp Oil

Method:
In a pan, heat the oil. Add the Peanuts , channa dalia and cashews and roast until golden brown. Then add the chilli powder, turmeric and curry leaves. Turn off the stove. Add the toasted nuts with seasoning, cereal, salt and mix well in a mixing bowl. I usually add only half box of each of the cereals. That way i make the next half later and it tastes fresh!
Cool and store in an air-tight jar. Serve with hot tea or Coffee!


Healthy Chivda - One more look!


And I almost forgot about this! Many thanks to my dear friend Sia of Spice Corner for the thoughtful and wonderful award that she conferred upon me! This is my first award and I was so excited when i saw it! I have tried many of Sia's dishes and they never fail me! Not sure if I deserve this one, but she surely does, "weaving her way through blogsphere with her lovely comments and making me smile" Thanks and hugs to you Sia!

And also many many Thanks to lovely Richa of As Dear as Salt! She is one of my favorite bloggers! Love her recipes! I love the traditional touch she has and always has some pretty funny anecdotes to share! My mom raves about Richa's site. Thanks and hugs to you Richa!



The Power of Schmooze Award is for bloggers who “effortlessly weave their way in and out of the blogosphere, leaving friendly trails and smiles, happily making new friends along the way. They don’t limit their visits to only the rich and successful, but spend some time to say hello to new blogs as well. They are the ones who engage others in meaningful conversations, refusing to let it end at a mere hello - all the while fostering a sense of closeness and friendship.”



And then following the tradition... I really have so many favorite bloggers! Each blogger is special in their own way. Everyone is so nice and is here to make blogging buddies! We have a pretty nice community out here! We are all strangers yet we share a special bond and know so much about each other! And to me, in a place away from home, my blogging buddies and readers keep me going and make me feel special. So all you dear bloggers please take me up and help yourself to this fun award!

Though I want to specially mention my first online friends who were there for me whenever i needed them, who know the true me and stood by me through good and bad times:

Bee and Jai of Jugalbandi
Meera of Meera's Blog
Ranjani of Eat and Talk
Reena of Spices Of Kerala
Jen of Mexican Masala

Thanks for stopping by people! Have a great day!