Diwali Snacks Guide 101: Munch Mindfully

Don’t we all just love running into the kitchen and steal a few bites from the hot basket of savouries? Diwali is incomplete without the constant munching of spicy bites during card parties or just like that. We all wait for those guests to leave so we can hog on them. Often, the guilt of having fried consumes us faster than we finish that bowl.

The spirit of Diwali is huge in our country. The festivities surrounding it, from preparing sweets to shopping for new clothes never fails to fill joy in us. Then why not bid the guilt goodbye? Let us indulge in equally tasty savouries but healthier. This season let’s savour the snacks with something different: a subtle twist in recipes.

Recipe 1:Baked Namakpare

Ingredients:

· 3/4 cup whole wheat flour

· 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

· 2/3 teaspoon salt or adjust to taste

· 1/4 teaspoon carom seeds also known as ajwain seeds

· 2-3 teaspoon oil use oil of choice

· 1/4 cup cold water to knead the dough

Method:

· Preheat the oven to 375 F.

· In a bowl, toss together the whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, salt and carom seeds.

· Add oil and mix it with the flour thoroughly.

· Now slowly add water and knead till it forms a smooth dough.

· Let the dough rest for 15 minutes.

· Roll into a round or square of desired thickness.

· Slice the namak paare into desired shapes.

· Arrange onto a baking sheet and bake at 375 F for 12-15 minutes till golden brown.

· Cool and store in an airtight container

* Baking time will vary depending on how thick or thin you rolled the dough. The thinly sliced namak paare will bake quickly whereas the thicker one will take more time.

Recipe by: Cook with Manali

Recipe 2: Spicy beetroot crackers

Ingredients:

· 2 cups all-purpose flour/maida

· 1 tsp salt

· 1/4th cup oil

· 2 tbsp pepper powder

· 1/4th beetroot puree/grated

· 1/4th cup cold water

Method:

· In a bowl, mix flour, salt and pepper.

· Add oil and beetroot puree and mix well.

· Add water slowly and knead the dough gently. Pour water if required.

· Divide it into a few portions, cover it with cling film and refrigerate for 30 min.

· Preheat the oven at 150 degrees C. Dust the portions and roll them out thin. Cut them into squares and place them on the tray

· Place it for 5 min, if you see bubbles gently turn them over. Repeat this if you see bubbles on them.

· Bake for another 14-15 min with top and bottom rod on at 150 degrees C.

· Remove and let it cool well.

*Add spice as per your taste.

Soulful Bakes by Shano Biju