Quinoa Chivda - Savory Cereal/Trail Mix Snack with Puffed Quinoa, Brown Rice Krispies, Cashews, Walnuts, Cranberries and Raisins. Vegan Glutenfree Recipe

Chivda,(Ciwda, Chevdo, Chidwa, Bombay Mix etc) is a generic name for a savory snack made with fried or roasted puffed or flattened rice/grains (murmura, Poha). 

It is spiced with green or red chili, has nuts and dried fruits, sometimes has combinations of fried chickpea flour noodles(thin or thick Sev) or potato noodles(Aloo bhujia) and sometimes made sweet and salty. There are several varieties and names for the snack depending on the region in India. A savory cereal/granola or trail mix. You eat it as is like roasted nuts or trail mix. 

The version on this post has puffed Quinoa, puffed Rice and Brown Rice Krispies. It has fennel seeds for the sweet offset. I used cilantro instead of curry leaves. Fresh curry leaves are not easily available. Fresh cilantro usually is and works too.  I havent tried making puffed quinoa at home yet. Here is how if you would like to try.

If you missed my Valentines Pink and Chocolate Roundup, catch it here.



There is limited Oil, salt and sugar in this savory cereal. So this makes for a great munching option. The puffed grains distribute up the nuts and seeds, so you also end up eating less of the nuts in every serving.
If you would like to avoid nuts, replace the nuts with seeds, roasted chickpeas or roasted red Lentils.

A Nut free version with roasted chickpeas here.

Fore more Savory snack and Breakfast options see here.

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Step by step Pictures:

Heat the oil in a wide pan over medium high heat. Add mustard seeds and fennel seeds when hot.

As mustard seeds crackle, add green chili, and chopped cilantro. 
Stir and let the cilantro become crisp.

Add chopped nuts and mix for 30 seconds.



Add raisins, cranberries and keep stirring for 30 seconds.

Add the puffed quinoa, brown rise krispies, puffed rice. 

Add turmeric, salt and red chili powder if using.

Mix well until the turmeric color is well distributed.

Keep roasting for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

Let cool completely before storing in an airtight container. Stays fresh for upto 2 months.



Crunch. 



Quinoa Chivda - Savory Cereal/Granola with Puffed Quinoa, Rice Krispies, Cashews, Walnuts, Cranberries and Raisins.
Allergy Information: Dairy, Egg, corn, soy, yeast, Gluten free.
Makes about 4 cups

Ingredients:

1 Tablespoon organic canola oil

1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds

1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds

1/2 green chili pepper chopped (optional)

2 Tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

1/3-1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

1/2 teaspoon Salt or to taste

1 teaspoon raw sugar or powdered Jaggery(Optional)

1 loaded cup Puffed Quinoa

1 loaded cup Puffed Rice

1 loaded cup brown Rice krispies

1/4 cup each of raisins, dried cranberries or other dried fruit

1/3+ cup each of broken raw cashew, walnuts or other nuts
red chili powder to taste (optional)

Variations:

Add multigrain cereal flakes, puffed amaranth, Oats.

Add nuts of choice, peanuts, pecans, almond slivers.

Add large Coconut flakes,

Add seeds - Sunflower, pumpkin , watermelon, sesame.

Method:

Heat the oil in a wide pan over medium high heat. Add mustard seeds and fennel seeds when hot.

As mustard seeds crackle, add green chili, and chopped cilantro. 
Stir and let the cilantro become crisp.

Lower the heat to low medium.
Add chopped nuts and mix for 30 seconds.

Add raisins, cranberries and keep stirring for 30 seconds.

Add the puffed quinoa, brown rise krispies, puffed rice. 

Add turmeric, salt and red chili powder if using.

Mix well until the turmeric color is well distributed.

Keep roasting for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

Take off heat. Add sugar if using, taste and adjust salt, mix well and let cool before serving or storing in an airtight container for a few weeks. Eat as is or as Chaat Salad or use to top stews, Kichari.

To freshen it up(the Puffed grains can get soft if there is enough moisture in the air), lightly dry roast the chivda for a minute or so.
To make a Chaat Salad with this mix. Toss in some cooked or canned chickpeas(black chickpeas work best), chopped onion, tomato, boiled potatoes, salt, pepper, lemon juice and/or chaat masala or Chutneys(tamarind or cilantro).


This Savory cereal is being shared at Slightly Indulgent tuesdays , Allergy Free Wednesdays, Rickis Wellness weekend