More books .....

On the other day, I was discussing about books with one of my friends. We were talking how books are  replaced by others these days. Anything can be read in internet, but the feel of a paper book is different. Though it is bulky, it has limited browsing effects, it needs more physical space, I love collecting books. When talking about cook books, some think that blogs are replacing cook books. But I will never say so. Recipe blogs can never replace a well trusted generation old cook book. Books give us a nostalgic feel, they take us to our happy places. So I encourage buying books as much as reading a blog.

These are the dollar store gems I got recently. I am yet to finish reading them.  But the topics seemed interesting to me. They are sitting just next to me, while I am trying to find better ways to create good foods, better than my previous.

Happy Easter ! Happy Tamil New year ! Happy Vishu !

Crispy chickpeas in airfryer

One of my recent innovations is airfried channa. One day, I was about to make some sundal (chickpea salad) out of the soaked channa and suddenly got an idea and tried a bowl of this. Though its crispy , it wouldn't be hard like the store bought uppu kadalai.

Ingredients:
Chickpeas (channa / kondai kadalai) - 1 cup
olive oil / or any cooking oil - 1 tbsp
rice flour - 1 tbsp (optional)
pink Himalayan salt / salt - to taste (1 tsp)
turmeric powder - 1 tsp
red chili powder - 1/2 tsp
curry masala powder - 1/2 tsp

Method:
Rinse and soak the white channa for 6-8 hours or overnight.
Drain the water.
Mix all other items given (salt, turmeric powder, rice flour, chili powder, oil, curry powder) using a spoon.
Preheat the airfryer to 400 F for 5 minutes (I do this while mixing the ingredients). Set the timer to  15 minutes.
My airfryer can handle 1 cup (presoaked quantity) of channa. So do it in batches, if needed.
Start the frying process. Airfry it for 5 minutes in maximum heat. Then reduce it to 375 and toss it and repeat for another 5 minutes. Take out , toss and repeat till it gets crispy.
Always keep watching after 10 minutes as it gets brown and hard if not tossed in between.

Take out. Spread over a broad plate and let cool. Then store it in airtight container.
Airfried channa is ready to snack on!