Jhal Muri, Spicy Puffed Rice

Jhal muri, spicy puffed rice is a street food from West Bengal, India. In Bengali, jhal is spicy and muri is puffed rice. Puffed rice is seasoned with chili powder, roasted cumin powder, black salt and some chopped vegetables to make this mouthwatering jhal muri.

Jhal muri is a quick snack and there are variations of it all across India. Bhel puri is the most famous cousin of jhal muri. The difference between the two is that Behl puri has lots of chutneys and jhal muri doesn’t. Second, mustard oil gives jhal muri a pungent and distinct flavor.

At home I make a simpler version of spicy puffed rice with just chili powder, crushed garlic, chopped onions and oil. Though it is not jhal muri, it is one of my favorite variations of spicy puffed rice. I never tasted jhal muri and liked the version I made. If not the authentic jhal muri, am sure mine tasted lot similar to the authentic one.

The recipe below is mild and one can adjust the spices to make it as spice as one wishes. Keep all the ingredients ready and mix the mixture just before serving, as it could get soggy very quickly. In the streets of Bengal and Kolkata, this street food is served in thonga, cone shaped paper bags made with old newspaper.

Jhal Muri Recipe

Preparation: 5 - 10 minutes
Serves: 1 - 2

Ingredients:

Dry Ingredients

2 cups Puffed Rice
3 tablespoon Roasted Peanuts
1 tablespoon Fried Gram ~ Dalia ~ Putnalu
1 tablespoon chopped Coconut (I used dry coconut)
¼ cup Sev (I was out of it and used crushed pita chips)

Fresh Ingredients

2 tablespoon cooked Kala Chana ~ Brown Chickpeas, cooked
1 small Green Chili, seeded and finely chopped
2 - 3 tablespoon chopped Red Onion
1 small Kirby Cucumber, peeled and chopped, about ¼ cup when chopped
1 small Tomato or 4-6 Grape Tomatoes, chopped
2 - 4 chopped Cilantro

Spices

½ teaspoon Salt
½ teaspoon Chili Powder
½ Roasted Cumin Powder
¼ teaspoon Black Salt
½ teaspoon Chaat Masala

Other

Lime Juice dash
2 - 3 teaspoon Mustard Oil

Preparation:

Take puffed rice a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 1 minute. If puffed rice is crispy, skip this step.
Add roasted peanuts, fried gram, sev and dry coconut to puffed rice. Mix everything and keep it aside until ready to serve. If using fresh coconut, add it along with fresh ingredients.
Chop and keep fresh ingredients ready.
In a bowl mix together spices and keep aside.
When ready to serve, add fresh ingredients to dry ingredients and toss.
Add spices, lime juice, oil and and toss until well mixed.
Serve immediately.