Chintamani Kadlekai Spicy peanuts

Chintamani Kadlekai/ Spicy peanuts

Ingredients:

Peanuts – 1 Kg

Rice flour – 2/3 cup

Cloves – 7

Cumin seeds – 2 tsp

Turmeric powder – 1.5 tsp

Red chilli powder – 1 tbsp

Garlic cloves – 10 medium size

Bamboo skewers – 10 (optional)

Rubber band – 1 (optional)

Salt as per taste

Instructions:

        In a blender add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, salt, cloves, rice flour, cumin seeds, garlic cloves and water. Blend them into a fine paste.

       Take some bamboo skewers and secure them with a rubber band firmly. If you do not have the skewers do not worry. You may use a long fork instead.

        Take a thick bottomed pan and add some peanuts into it. Roast them on medium flame stirring continuously until well done. When the skin is about to peel off and there are small brown spots on the peanuts it means that the peanuts are roasted well. Dish them out into a bowl and add 1/3 tablespoon of spice blend. Quickly mix them with the help of skewers or a fork. Spread the skewers while mixing as it helps to coat the peanuts faster. Make sure that the spice mix has coated the peanuts evenly. If you prefer more spice you may add more spice blend while mixing. Now, spread and dry them over a mat, clean plate or newspaper. Follow the same process until all the peanuts are used up. Super quick protein rich snack is ready within minutes. Anyone can make it anytime. It’s that simple!

        Since the peanuts are hot there would be water vapour under the mat or plate. Wipe it off with clean and dry cloth. Make sure that the peanuts are fully dried before serving. If required, you may also dry them under hot sun for ½ hr to 1 hr before storing them in a container for future use. These spicy peanuts can be stored in an airtight container for at least 2 weeks. Thereon, as they age their crispness reduces.  

        These spicy peanuts can be served to kids as evening snacks when they return from school. They may also be served to guests along with a hot cup of tea or coffee. They make a great combination. Chit chatting never ends without snacking on spicy peanuts especially during combined studies. 

        Many Indians still pack them for tours or while visiting their relatives in far off places. My granny used to make them every summer whenever we visit them during summer vacation. It is nowadays also commonly served as welcome snacks at some restaurants or guest houses. 

TIP 1: Be careful while mixing the spice to the peanuts as their skin will peel off easily.

TIP 2: Adding spice mix after the peanuts are cooled will not coat them evenly.

TIP 3: Hot spicy peanuts are moist and so aren’t crispier. Once fully dried they will be firm and crisp.

     In many parts of Karnataka these spicy peanuts are famously known as Chintamani kadlekai, timepass kadlekai, karada kadle beeja and shenga. They are not just a healthy snack but a poor man’s friend which is loaded with proteins. Peanuts are majorly cultivated in many parts of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. It is a very common sight to notice street vendors approaching a bus at tea stalls or any stop overs to sell these spicy peanuts in India. Please do give a try and I bet you can never stop munching on them as you would crave for more. They are still my favourite snacks be it in the evenings or while I venture out on a long trek. I even add small portion of spicy peanuts as side dish while having my lunch or dinner 😊. I can never say ‘NO’ to these yummy peanuts and so would you. Try it out!