Chegodi Bracelet with Thatai Hearts & My "Compulsive"ness-es

So Me back!!! A month of hectic sessions left me worn out and I had a very satisfying weekend to give a fitting end to the whole thing. Of course, I would be continuing the course after sometime but hey, DO WE NEED A REASON TO SHOP?? TO GET PAMPERED? :)
That's what I did! A nice relaxed pampering session at the hairstylist, then some feel-good shopping* followed by relaxed Sunday and it spilled over to Monday, Tuesday too!

* Feel-good shopping means, shopping/buying and filling up your house with things, you absolutely know, you don't need, but doing it just for the heck of it! It can range anywhere from show pieces to fashion accessories, majority of them being Clothes!

Amma (and now DH) keeps telling me that I can open my own shop with the accessories I have! ;) But still the compulsive shopper in me peeps out every time I enter the mall/shop, takes over my original personality and whenever I come to, I am standing with bags full of items that will possibly lie in the wardrobe forever...

That said, I am a compulsive packer too. Meaning, whenever we go on trips, I always end up packing twice the amount I would need. For 4 days trip, I will have 8 dresses and corresponding accessories. And DH will always wonder why my bag is always heavy. My answer would be, "Because I am a girl!" End of conversation.

Now, what has all these to do with today's recipe? Definitely, this Chegodi Bracelet with Thatai hearts are not a result of my addictive-shopping. But they were born due to the "window shopping" by Sanjana @ KO Rasoi. She wants to give away a lovely Bracelet to one of us in turn for some unique dishes that are results of inspiration from that lovely bracelet. I have been thinking about it ever since she announced the contest, and now I am with this!
Chegodi or the Ring Murukku is not at all new to us. In fact, I was supposed to do it for ICC November Challenge (For my new buddies, ICC was initiated by Srivalli), but had to drop it due to my then-India-trip. But I had it at the back of my mind that I must try it out and found all right reasons to make it now.

Thatai is also one of the famous south Indian snack and our favorite munchie. Like the majority of us, I am no exception when it comes to munching snacks all the time. (Read: Compulsive Muncher)

So here I am, presenting the "Chegodi bracelet with Thatai hearts" for MY LOVE FOR SNACKS and sending them to Sanjana's "Wear your Food" contest!.


Whoops, what a lengthy prelude! By now, you know I am a compulsive talker, a compulsive writer..! Since you are still reading this, I am awarding the title "Compulsive Reader" to you!! :D

Chegodi / Ring Murukku
This recipe is exactly what Srivalli had given us.

What we need:
Rice Flour - 1 cup
Water - 1 cup
Split Yellow Moong dal / Pesara pappu / Mung Dal / Pasiparuppu - 1 1/2 - 2 tblsp
Cumin Seeds - 1 tsp
Sesame Seeds - 1 tsp
Chili powder - 1 tsp
Ghee or oil - 1 tblsp
Salt to taste
Oil for deep frying

How to do:
Making the dough:
1. Soak moong dal in water for half hour to 1 hour.
2. In a deep bottom pan, boil water, then add salt, ghee and moong dal.
3. Bring it to boil, simmer and slowly add the rice flour. Using a rolling pin or the ladle, mix the flour with water by stirring it well.
4. When the flour is mixed and done, turn off the heat immediately. Cover with lid and keep aside for 10 to 15 mins.

5. Once the dough is cool, add chilli powder, sesame seeds, cumin seeds and mix well. Knead till you get a smooth dough. Adjust the salt and spice depending on your preference.

Frying the Chegodi:
1. Heat a pan with oil, enough to fry 3 -4 at time. Simmer once it gets hot. The temperature should not be smoking hot.
2. Grease your fingers with oil and pinch out a small lemon size ball and roll between your palms to form a thick rope. Bring the two ends to together and press to form a rope. Ensure the ends are firmed pressed as not to give out during frying.
3. Continue with the rest of the dough until you are done with the entire batch. You can either cover it with a plate or a cloth to prevent the dough from getting dried.
4. Check if the oil is in the correct temperature, by dropping a tiny bit into the oil. Then gently slide the rings or the chegodis in batches of 4 -5.
5. The flame has to be on high until the chegodis come up to the surface, then lower the flame to medium and cook till you get a golden colour on the chegodis.
6. When the chegodis are golden all over, using a slotted ladle, remove to a kitchen towel and cool. Store in an air tight container for longer shelf life.

Notes: Remember to turn the heat to medium to high and high to medium for getting the chakodis to golden colour and also to be cooked evenly. Only this way you get crispy chakodis. These should not be cooked on low flame as they will absorb more oil and can turn soggy also at times.

Variation: Instead of Cumin and Sesame seeds, 1 tsp of Ajwain or Omam can be used along with chili powder.

Well, I purposely didn't join the ends for a few of them, just to create a chain effect!
Oops! Where are the hooks?

Thatai
Crispy Spicy Rice wafers

What we need:
Rice flour - 1 cup
Urad dal Flour - 2 tbsp.
Butter - 2 tbsp.
Salt - according to taste
Chana Dal - 2 tbsp.
Curry leaves - a sprig (I didnt add this)
Chilli powder - 1 tsp.
Asafoetida - a pinch
Oil - to deep fry
Aluminum foil/Plastic sheet - to press the thatai's

How to do:
1. Soak the chana dal for about 30 minutes to 1 hour.
2. In a bowl, take the rice flour, add the Urad dal flour, salt, chilli powder, asafoetida and mix well.
3. To this add the butter and keep mixing till it is evenly incorporated.
4. Add the soaked chana dal, torn curry leaves. Add water slowly and mix till you get the chapathi dough consistency. Close with the lid and set it aside for 10 minutes.
5. Heat Oil in a pan. It should be hot, but not smoking hot.
6. Meanwhile grease the plastic sheet with oil. Take a small ball of the out of the dough, press it on the sheet and make a flat round. Repeat with the rest of the dough. (I used a cookie cutter to get the heart shapes)
7. Slide 2 or 3 at a time (depending on the size of your kadai) and cook on medium-high till the bottom side turns golden brown.
8. Turn over with a slotted spoon and cook till this side turns brown.
9. Drain on a kitchen towel and store in an air-tight container for longer shelf life.

Heart puffed up with so much love!

Hope you all enjoyed today's post. See you all soon with another interesting recipe. Till then, Happy Cooking and Happy Blogging!

35 comments:

Priya Suresh said...

Woww chegodi bracelet looks soo cute and beautiful...very pretty..Braceletum achum kudave snacksum achu..

Rohini said...

Thanks for the quick comment dear!! :)

Raks said...

I enjoyed reading the post :) I too love shopping like you and hate if I come back home empty handed,atleast I should have a hair clip new ;)

An apt entry for the event Rohini...Voting is there right?

Pavithra Srihari said...

Haha... No girl is different .. Welcome back ..

Thattai and murukku look amazing .
Looks like this is going to win u that beautiful bracelet.

Sushma Mallya said...

welcome back rohini, really miss you all these days...and bracelets looks so pretty, took much of your time may be but seems a worth try one...anyone can be impressed looking at these ...

Tina said...

Sooo tempting and beautiful...

Shanthi Krishnakumar said...

Crispy and yummy. Perfect for the event

Nithya said...

He he.. :) I see a lot of me in you. I am shopaholic especially clothes, I talk a lot and munch a lot as well. cheers buddy. :)

I am loving the bracelet. Such a cute and innovative inspiration. Looks really cute. Pat your back for this creation of yours. Good luck. May you win the contest as well. :)

Smita Srivastava said...

Awww so cute . This is surely a piece of wonderful food art n also look so crispy n delicious ...

Cool Lassi(e) said...

Hey dear girl,
Welcome back. I have been missing reading your posts..That bracelet is looking too good. Very creative. Love it.
And good to know you had a relaxing session shopping and hair-styling. I love accessories too.I love buying boots, bags, scarves and shades.:)

Aruna Manikandan said...

Chegodi bracelet looks pretty dear:-)
Perfect entry for the evetn

Anu said...

Awwww....So so cute eatable bracelet. Ha ha...kudos to your shopping on trinket jewels and clothes...We are GIRLS, and shopping (Compulsive or Impulsive), is so inseparable from us :D

Kanchan said...

Loved the write up.. I was like hey thats me :)inch pinch .. !!

Infact I always advice my dear friends - "Depressed-Shopping is cheaper than Psychiatrist."
:D it is soothing and make u happy too :D

Btw loved your bracelet !

And hope to see u soon .... missed u infact for sometime now :)

Pari Vasisht said...

Loved reading your prelude. I used to be like that a few years back, I guess you sombre down as u age, or I guess u become more boring!!
Nice idea of using the thattai and cheegodu.

Namitha said...

Wonderful bracelet Roh..So creative you are :-)Good to see you back !

Ann said...

Look at your creativity, so awesome and I love the thatai and murukku.. who can resist anyways?

Vineetha Sush said...

Happy to see u back Rohini..Wow hats off to ur creative thoughts..I think we have a winner for the contest here :)

Shama Nagarajan said...

cute idea dear...delicious bracelet

Radhika@foodfor7stages said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
RV said...

This looks fabulous Rohini, I wish you to win the surprise gift sponsored by Sanjana. Btw, even I love shopping for myself and for the home. Most of the times, I buy lots of stuff that I don't use it at all ;)

Pavithra Elangovan said...

Nice reading the post.. I love shopping as you dear. The bracelet is very very innovative idea. hats off to ur creativity. All the best I am voting for u.

kitchen queen said...

a warm welcome back to u Rohini.missed u so much the bracelet and thattai hearts look very cute and adorable and also tempting.

gtyuk said...

hahahaha, so this post is more about the "compulsive" attitude than the lovely chekodi/thattai bracelet you've created, right?

anyways, I think most of the women are like you, at least me :) sometimes or whenever I feel somewhat nostalgic or depressed, I need to go shopping to bring out the smile on my face, heeheh, so you're not all alone ... packing, munching, shopping, all these applies to me too :)

both the snacks look fantastic, crispy and perfect!!!

Ms.Chitchat said...

Welcome back my dear friend. Missing ur posts and your comments in my blog :):) Enjoyed the write-up followed by the lovely bracelet. Nice tea time snack with a hot cup of coffee :):)

Unknown said...

very cute...nice snack..

Sarah Naveen said...

Good to see you back sweetie :)
I myself is a shopoholic :)..
you have done a very good job with this snack here..looks awesome..nice click too

Srividhya Ravikumar said...

wow.. awesome picture.. following you

Unknown said...

Cute and crispy they look!

Nisha said...

Very nice , loved murruku necklace

San said...

Cute bracelet,it's more appealing that the original(love to try it out sometime).Count me in,i will have my dresses packed up double wenever i go for a trip(People would run away to lift our luggage :) n the shopping issue(it's quite common for all the women).It does cheers us up even we get a tiny accessory for us.

gtyuk said...

Hi Rohini,

so, boosted up your German level after the course???hahah

it's nice to see you around here!!! I'd be eager to see you with another of your nice concoction !!!!

thank you for the "hellos" and have a nice day !!!!

Dolly Sharma said...

Hey Rohini..see as u said once earlier we do have so many things in commom..and as I'm reading the others commnents I guess there are so many who can relate to your(our) compulsiveness-es...LOL. I guess Its like LIVE Life to the Fullest... I have to admire your creativity and patience..Ur Bracelet has turned out so adorable. I hope you win TOO.. In Fact my house is full of clothes and accessories too..Lets open up a Shop together...lol

SathyaSridhar said...

Rohini, first time here you got nice blog with nice recipes dear,,, bracelet murukku rombha nalla irukku creative idea making bracelet in muruku...am glad to follow ur blog.

Pedhakka said...

First time here !! You have a wonderful collection !!

chakhlere said...

Great Bracelet.

I behave exactly like this when we go for shopping... but we all love it don't we?