Yesterday evening at around 7.30 P.M I finished my Diwali dishes preparation. Yes I go a little overboard while cooking Diwali dishes; I don’t know why, but maybe to emulate my mom and grandma who used to make a lot of sweets. I loved to at just eat at that time and never realized how difficult it is to make all those dishes. I didn’t learn any cooking from mom or grandma and only watched them, now I make dishes mainly from memories, and also asking to dad how it is made. I won’t make any comprise when comes to traditional dishes. If it uses ghee I will add ghee, my belief that if you alter it, it won’t taste like what it should be, that is my belief. This Thenkuzhal is an easy snack made during Deepavali/Diwali. However it is also available during other season too.
This is a simple recipe made with rice flour and moong dal flour, cumin and salt. Made everything into a smooth dough, then squeezed through a mold to form a concentric circle and later it is fried in the medium hot oil, until it is golden brown in color. It is crispy snack goes well with your coffee or tea. We make this thenkuzal for marriage and other functions too. Even though literal meaning says as honey tube it is a savory dish. We Indians like fried goodies and sweets a lot.
While experimenting with my thenkuzhal I learned a lesson that peanut oil is good for frying. I have canola oil which I add to the dough but I like to fry with peanut oil, as it has high flash point, and it maintain the temperature very well. So I am going to use peanut oil for frying part
After finishing this Diwali treat I need to make something for Halloween, yes my princess is excited to take part in trick treat. I am not taking them trick or treating, she will distribute the candies.
Hope those who celebrating Diwali have a wonderful and safe one. Only problem I found in India is noise pollution from the crackers, hope this time it is better.
Wishing all my friends a Happy and prosperous Diwali, May this festival of lights brings all the happiness you look forward too.
Make this delicious snack if you get time, it is really addictive, here comes the recipe.
Delicious crispy snack made with rice and urad dal flour goes well with coffee and tea.
Ingredients
- 2 cup Rice flour
- ¼ cup Urad dal flour
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 teaspoon cumin seeds
- ½ teaspoon asafoetida
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup+½ cup water
- 5 Cups of oil for frying
Instructions
- First dry roast the urad dal for 5 minutes or until it becomes lightly brown in color.
- Let it cool for some time and then grind it into a fine powder using a coffee grinder.
- Sieve two times to get very fine powder.
- In a bowl add rice flour, urad dal flour, butter, cumin seeds, asafoetida, salt and water to form smooth dough.
- Then in the thenkuzal mold, fill the dough and press to make concentric circles.
- Heat oil in pan until it becomes 375F and then carefully add the pressed thenkuzhal cook them in medium flame for 6 minutes flipping in between to make sure uniform cooking.
- At first oil sizzles a lot when it is cooked,
- sizzling of oil is reduced, at that time remove from the oil
- Transfer to kitchen towel to remove excess oil. You can fry 3-4 at times, repeat the process and finish the entire dough.
- Once everything is finished, store them into a air tight container. It will remain good for a month.
Notes
Copyright ©2014 Zesty South Indian Kitchen by Swathi(Ambujom Saraswathy) All Rights Reserved.
This is Swathi ( Dr. Ambujom Saraswathy Ph.D) from Zesty South Indian Kitchen who loves to explore cuisines from all over the world. Whenever possible I try to to give an Indian touch to several of the world cuisine, and has weakness for freshly baked bread. All the recipes you see here are created by me and approved after taste-test by my family.
radha says
what a beautiful recipe, clicks and great step by step, love your dedication to all your posts, my favorite blog.It is a [pleasure to be here Swathi
Suja Manoj says
Looks so crispy and yummy,perfect with a cup of tea.
Winnie says
I've never eaten it before and I'm super curious - sounds GREAT
Gloria says
love this crunchy and yummy snack...Happy Diwali to you and your family
Poornima says
Crunchy snack..
Gourmet Getaways says
Very interesting snack! I can hear myself with cracking and munching sounds as I eat these, hehe. This looks like a fun snack, thanks for sharing!
Gourmet Getaways
Prathibha Sreejith says
Crispy and delicious Thenkuzhal Swathi 🙂
Wishing you and family a Very Happy Deepavali!!
Choc Chip Uru says
Happy Diwali my friend! This looks delicious, thanks for introducing me to it 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
princy vinoth says
Going to try this soon.Happy Diwali Swathi
sathyapriya says
Thenkulal with urad dal flour ,Thats interesting ..Looks really good
Catherine says
I used to watch my mom during holidays cook so many wonderful dishes and I wish I had those recipes today.
It is difficult to make things only from memory.
This does sound wonderful. Blessings, Catherine
Babitha costa says
perfect,happy diwali swathi
Mini says
Hi Swathi,
Wish you and yours a Happy, Healthy and Peaceful Deepavali.
Thenkuzhal is my favorite from my grandma too.. they look great!!