Nutritious and healthy this gluten-free Farali Rajgira Chivda, Fararli Namkeen, or Amaranth Trail mix is a protein-rich snack for your Indian fast or upvas. It is also best as your post-workout or mid-evening snack or just for any other day.
Loaded with nuts and seeds this fibrous, these vegan snack use puffed Amaranth or Amaranth popcorn as you call it. Seasoned with a few spices, this spicy trail mix can be enjoyed with a cuppa.
Amaranth is an ancient grain and is quite popular in India, especially during fasting days like Navaratri. I though remember eating Rajgira chikki quite often which mom used to buy for us.
Recipes with Rajgira (Amaranth)
I too use Amaranth in my daily diet. I make this Amaranth Berry Parfait, Rajgira Kadhi, and for a treat, Chocolate Puffed Amaranth Bars. Recently I shared this Farali Rajgira Sabudana Thalipeeth, which is a quick and easy lunch or a snack. This can be served for kids’ lunchboxes too and they would love it.
So coming to todays recipe, of Amaranth Chivda, I have kept it simple and not used much of the spices. One can add green chilies, chaat masala, red chili powder if required to this recipe.
I also make this Roasted Makhana Chivda or Foxnut Trail mix during Indian fasting days or as an evening snack.
Ingredients used in Amaranth Chivda
Puffed Amaranth
I do not get puffed amaranth so I do it at home and making it is pretty easy. Check out my post and video here on how to puff amaranth or make Amaranth popcorn. If you get it in a shop you can use the ready version too.
Nuts & Dried fruits
I like to use almonds, peanuts, pecans, cashews, hazelnuts whichever is available in my pantry. So feel free to use whatever you like.
I add a raisin and red currants to this. It balances the salty taste of the chivda and also adds to the nutrient content of the chivda.
Seeds
I have used melon seeds as I had that in hand. One can use any seeds of choice like sunflower etc or skip it completely.
Dry Coconut
Dry coconut again adds crunch to the recipe. This is easily available in Asian shops. I roast them a little extra as it adds a nice taste and crunch.
Flavorings
Black pepper powder, Dry mango powder, salt, and 1 teaspoon sugar are added to flavor the mixture. I have used amchur powder or dry mango powder but one can skip it if you do not consume it during Indian fast. It adds a nice taste to the chivda.
Tempering
Oil, mustard seeds, and curry leaves are added for tempering.
Recipe process of Farali Rajgira Chivda
Recipe is quite simple. All you do is dry roast all the nuts and seeds. Puff up amaranth if you are using seeds. Next using a little oil, shallow fry the curry leaves and coconut slices. Mix the rajgira, nuts, seeds, salt, sugar, flavourings and you are done.
This snack needs to be stored in an air-tight container or else at times the amaranth might absorb some moisture.
Shelf life of Farali Rajgira Chivda
This should stay good in an air-tight container for a month.
Farali Rajgira Chivda (Amaranth Trail Mix)
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoon Rajgira Seeds , if not using Amaranth Popcorn
- 2 cups Amaranth Popcorn , if not using Rajgira Seeds
- ½ cup Nuts Mixed
- 1 tablespoon Raisins
- 1 tablespoon Black Raisin
- 2 tablespoon Melon Seeds
- 2 tablespoon peanuts
- 2 tablespoons Dry Coconut
- 1 teaspoon Demerara Sugar
- Salt to taste
- 1-2 teaspoon Dry Mango Powder Depending on taste
- ½-1 Black pepper Powder Depending on taste
- 1 teaspoon Oil
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 8-10 Curry leaves
Instructions
Popping Rajgria / Making Amaranth Popcorn
- Heat a heavy bottom pan or a wok.
- Sprinkle a few drops of water in the pot. If it sizzles immediately your pot is ready.
- Add about a teaspoon of rajgira seeds in the pot.4 tablespoon Rajgira Seeds
- Shake it with a spoon so that the Amaranth pops.
- Cover it with a lid so that it does not go all over.
Roasting Nuts and Seeds
- Roast the peanuts on slow stove until it turns golden brown.2 tablespoon peanuts
- Add remaining nuts and roast on slow stove until it turns golden brown.½ cup Nuts
- Roast the seeds if using.2 tablespoon Melon Seeds
- Roast the raisins or red currants just for a few seconds.1 tablespoon Raisins, 1 tablespoon Black Raisin
- Once done, collect the roasted nuts and seeds in a bowl.
Making Chivda
- Add oil in a heavy bottom wok.1 teaspoon Oil
- Once hot add mustard seeds and let it splutter.1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- Add curry leaves and let it splutter.8-10 Curry leaves
- Add dry coconut slices and shallow fry until golden brown.2 tablespoons Dry Coconut
- Frying them a little more adds a nice crunch and taste to the chivda.
- Once done, add the roasted nuts and seeds and mix.
- Add the puffed Rajgira and mix.2 cups Amaranth Popcorn
- Add freshly crushed black pepper powder and salt.½-1 Black pepper Powder, Salt
- Add dry mango powder if using, adds a nice taste (Optional)1-2 teaspoon Dry Mango Powder
- Switch off and add sugar and mix.1 teaspoon Demerara Sugar
- Once cooled, store it in an air-tight container.
Video
Notes
- Standard US-size cups and spoons are used. 1 Cup = 236 ml, 1 tablespoon = 15 ml, 1 teaspoon = 5 ml
- The recipe proportion for nuts is just a guideline. One can use more or less as required.
- If you do not use any ingredient during fasting skip it. Like curry leaves, dry mango powder or mustard seeds.
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Mayuri Patel
Wednesday 30th of October 2024
Whenever I try to pop rajgira seeds, they get burnt! Watched the video and now have the courage to give it a try again. Love your healthy rajgira chivda.
Renu Agrawal Dongre
Saturday 2nd of November 2024
Glad I could help you. thank you