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Close up view of Namkeen Kaju Matri or Namak Para served in a brown designer bowl with a cup of tea and teapot seen in the background.

Baked Namkeen Kaju Matri

Baked Namkeen Kaju Matri or Namak Para is a Diwali favorite snack shaped in the form of a kaju or half-moon or crescent-shaped Nimki.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Resting Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 cup Whole Wheat Flour - All Purpose Flour/Palin Flour / Maida can be used
  • 1 Cup Ghee -Clarified Butter, soften at room temperature (More might be required)
  • 1 tbsp Carom seeds - Ajwain seeds
  • 1 tbsp Salt - depending on taste
  • 1-1.5 Cup Water -Room temperature, for kneading
  • 500 ml Oil - if frying
  • 2 tbsp Oil -For brushing the matris while baking

Instructions

  • In a bowl sift in the flour and salt.
    4 cup Whole Wheat Flour, 1 tbsp Salt
  • Lightly crush the Ajwain seeds in between your hand and add it to the mix.
    1 tbsp Carom seeds
    Ingredients for the dough
  • Add the ghee , and rub in the flour with the ghee.
    1 Cup Ghee
    Testing the ghee inside dough by pressing in between your hands
  • You will get a crumbly texture flour. You should be roughly able to form a lump. If not add a teaspoon more of ghee at a time.
  • Add water and make a stiff dough.
    1-1.5 Cup Water
    The ready dough
  • Cover with a clean cotton or muslin cloth. Sprinkle few drops of water on top and let it rest for 45-60 minutes.
    Dough Covered with a cloth

For ShapingMatris

  • Divide the dough into equal large lemon size balls.
  • Roll it using a rolling board and pint to 4-5 inch diameter.
  • Use a sharp bottle top and cut it into half moon shape. Place the top on the dough and pull it towards you, it should cut.
  • Do this for the remaining dough and remove all in a plate and keep it covered with a muslin cloth so that it does not get dry.

Frying of Mathris

  • Heat oil in a kadai/Wok.
    500 ml Oil
  • Check if the oil is done by popping a bit of dough in the oil. It should come up.
  • On medium high heat gently slide in the Mathris.
  • Do not add too many at once. Let it cook on slow. This is important or they might not cook properly.
  • Once you see bubbles dwindling and the mathri's sinking down, turn and cook on the other side.
  • Once golden brown on both sides remove it in a strainer or an absorbent paper.
  • Store it in an airtight container. If stored properly they remain good for at least a month.
  • Enjoy it with a hot cup of Tea.

Baking Mathris in oven

  • Preheat the oven to 200 Deg C / 392 Deg F . Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Arrange the matris on the baking sheet.
  • Bake in a preheated oven for 10-12 minutes.
  • If they are uncooked, or look raw bake them in intervals of 2 mins.
  • Turn it in between to bake it evenly on both sides.
  • Brush the matris on the other side with a bit of ghee or oil (Optional step)
    2 tbsp Oil
  • They get done quickly so do keep an eye on them after 8-10 minutes.
  • Let it rest in the oven tray until it is cool.
  • Store it in an air tight containe, after it has cooled completely.

Baking Mathris in Air Fryer

  • Preheat the air-fryer to 180 Deg C / 356 Deg F.
  • Line the air-fryer tray with parchment paper or use as is.
  • Arrange the matris in the air-fryer tray.
  • Lightly brush the matris with a bit of ghee or oil (Optional step)
  • Bake in a preheated air-fryer 12-15 minutes.
  • Turn it in between to bake it evenly on both sides.
  • Brush the matris on the other side with a bit of ghee or oil (Optional step)
    2 tbsp Oil
  • Check the matris after 10-12 minutes, if done remove them.
  • If they are uncooked, or look raw bake them in intervals of 2 mins.
  • They get done quickly so do keep an eye on them after 8-10 minutes.
  • Remove and let it rest on a wire rack until cool completely.
  • Store it in an air tight containe, after it has cooled completely.

Notes

  • The ratio of Ghee to Flour is 1:4, so keep that in mind and you can make as required.
  • While Frying, cooking on slow is essential, or else it will be raw and might get burnt.
  • One can use a mix of all-purpose and whole wheat flour or only all-purpose flour.
  • Generally, the Mathris are done after baking. However, if you feel they have turned soft after storing, just reheat them in the oven at 120-140 Deg C, for around 30 minutes. This will help to remove the excess moisture.
  • Oven and Air Fryer, time and size are different. So do keep an eye on the matris at time mentioned above.