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.
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.
VeganNews for the day!
Find Some Indian Vegan Kids on Sharan India here.
Finally! Puppy Mills will Not populate LA stores. City Council banned the retail sale of dogs, cats and bunnies.
Testing of deadly human diseases on Mice is not accurate.– Nytimes. Hope they stop testing on them soon.
More V-day ideas like super cute Strawberry Kulfi cubes and more at Spabettie.
Queer Vegan Cookbook is here and 100% of the proceeds go to WoodStock Farm Animal Sanctuary. Grab a copy today!
Local news, Wayward Cafe in Seattle will have a Vegan Girl Scout cookie sale on Feb 16 and March 2nd.
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.
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)
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.
Stir and let the cilantro become crisp.
Lower the heat to low medium.
Add chopped nuts and mix for 30 seconds.
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
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
Caitlin says
February 12, 2013 at 8:51 pmi would honestly eat this for dinner, with a side of veggies, of course. i think that your chivda recipes, more than anything, intrigue me. i haven’t made them yet, because i tend to concentrate on dinner/desserts when choosing recipes. but i really think i would love this. i’m pinning it and this weekend i’m getting the ingredients!
i LOVED reading that nyt article earlier today. it made me so happy. kind of like a big “DUH” to the scientific community. i literally lol’d when they mentioned that mice can withstand a million times more bacteria in their system than humans. mice are such strong creatures, and people just think they can manipulate and test on them like they aren’t beautiful, living creatures. makes me SICK.
Richa says
February 12, 2013 at 9:17 pmI need a good load of snacks between my meals and just nuts or cookies dont cut it. this is a healthier option for sure,, especially if i want to keep munching over half an hour or something:)
i know right.. when will the industry realize the useless pain and suffering. i hope all testing moves to lab petridishes.
Gabby @ the veggie nook says
February 12, 2013 at 8:59 pmWow savoury granola- totally blowing my mind! How would you serve this as is? with milk? So confused/intrigued!!
Love the idea of having this around for a salad- such a great topping to have around!
Richa says
February 12, 2013 at 9:14 pm🙂 just as is. its like roasted nuts. you can keep eating it with a spoon or hands:)
Manali says
February 12, 2013 at 9:58 pmI feel like digging a spoon right away..:) mouth watering…:))
Richa says
February 13, 2013 at 7:29 pmwe eat this by bowlfulls:)
Glue and Glitter says
February 12, 2013 at 10:07 pmThis looks just like a snack my sister and I have gotten at the Indian grocer near her old house! I haven’t been able to find it in Atlanta, so I’m excited to try making my own.
Richa says
February 13, 2013 at 7:30 pmit is similar. the ones you get in the store have some deep fried items in it:) its easy to put together and you can add other elements and flavors that you like
Scissors and Spice says
February 13, 2013 at 2:00 amI love chidwa on top of kichari!
Richa says
February 13, 2013 at 7:34 pmme too. though i dont eat kichari as much.. but i like to use is instead of crackers with chili and stews.
Torviewtoronto says
February 13, 2013 at 2:24 amthis is wonderfully done deliciously done snack
Richa says
February 13, 2013 at 7:33 pmThank you!
green Chili peppers says
February 13, 2013 at 6:07 amVery good and interesting site with very good look and perfect information … I like it.
Jackie @ Vegan Yack Attack! says
February 13, 2013 at 10:12 amThis looks awesome! And with that ingredient list, I don’t see how it could be anything but. 🙂
Richa says
February 13, 2013 at 7:33 pmi know right:)) salt and crunch!
Sunday Morning Banana Pancakes says
February 13, 2013 at 3:54 pmI love your suggestion of replacing the nuts with roasted Chickpeas – this is such a different snack, I love it!
Richa says
February 13, 2013 at 7:32 pmi like savory so much more. after a while of munching it feels like you ate a lot so you should stop but you dont over eat the nuts. just about a tablespoon or so in a small bowl serving.
Chel says
February 13, 2013 at 7:23 pmDo you buy the quinoa puffed? I feel like I’m never going to be able to find that in the country I’m in now. Any way to make it?
Richa says
February 13, 2013 at 7:31 pmi buy it online from iherb.com or other places. i plan to try make my own soon. here is the how to http://www.ehow.com/how_8487456_puff-quinoa.html
Chel says
February 13, 2013 at 8:26 pmThanks! I’ll let you know how it works out. They don’t have a lot of things like that in Sweden! Love your website by the way 🙂
Anonymous says
February 13, 2013 at 7:35 pmThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Rooted Vegan says
February 13, 2013 at 8:17 pmJust bought some Kashi and wondered what to do with it. Here’s my answer. How did you know?
–RootedVegan.com
Anonymous says
February 13, 2013 at 8:20 pmThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Rooted Vegan says
February 13, 2013 at 8:50 pmLooks so good!
anunrefinedvegan.com says
February 13, 2013 at 9:33 pmLooks irresistible, Richa!
Shira says
February 13, 2013 at 10:46 pmThis looks so wonderful Richa, I adore these types of snacks! Totally loving the roasted chickpea idea too! XO
Snehal says
February 14, 2013 at 12:20 amRicha, this looks so appetizing! I’m going to scout the bulk bins in grocery stores for puffed quinoa and brown rice krispies just for this snack. I wish bulk bins were as popular as vegan food, I stay away from buying anything that is pre-packaged, so, my choices are super limited.
Anonymous says
February 14, 2013 at 3:00 amThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Stephanie says
February 14, 2013 at 7:31 amYummy!!! These type of snacks are popular here around town. But I would much rather make my own…thanks for a great recipe!
erinwyso says
February 14, 2013 at 11:36 amThis looks so good, Richa! You know, I tried to pop amaranth once, and it was a mess. A huge burned stinky mess, so I never tried it again. However, I watched Chopped on Food Network last night, and one of the chefs popped it beautifully, and now after reading this, I’m going to give it another go! Maybe I’ll give quinoa a try too … the end result is so pretty.
Anonymous says
February 14, 2013 at 12:23 pmThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous says
February 14, 2013 at 1:05 pmThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous says
February 14, 2013 at 7:22 pmThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Hannah says
February 15, 2013 at 2:33 amI just adore puffed cereals! No one knows how to really use them properly quite like Indian cooks- those savory, spicy flavors are just the best. Rather than trying to jam them into sticky marshmallow treats, they really shine when they’re fried up like this. I’m so happy to have you method now!
Kristy says
February 15, 2013 at 3:23 amI absolutely love puffed cereals and crunchy snacks right now- this looks right up my alley. I can’t wait to see your spin on puffed quinoa! 🙂
Poonam says
March 20, 2020 at 5:00 amLooks yummy and healthy too. Can you share how can we make puffed quinua? can you share that too.
Richa says
March 20, 2020 at 12:21 pmi use store bought. I havent tried making puffes quinoa at home. You ccan use any puffed grain