Janthikalu

An Andhra speciality and favorite among kids and adults likewise, Janthikalu or Murukulu stand out to be the most sought after 'pindi vantalu'. Needless to say, you can keep on munching janthikalu until you run out of them! I tried various varieties of Janthikalu with Rice flour and Besan in different propertions. My favorite of them all is Janthikalu made with Rice flour and Urad dal. I prepared them last weekend and they came out very well. My daughter loves them. She's in preschool and as she is munching on them she infers alphabet shapes out of the pieces.

Ingredients

Rice flour - 4 cups
Urad dal - 1 cup
Ajwain -1/2 tsp
Sesame seeds - 1 tbsp
Chilli powder - 1 tsp
Butter - 1 tbsp
Salt as needed
Oil for frying
Water

Preparation

1. Take a pan, dry roast urad dal in medium heat until it slightly changes color. Let it cool and grind to a powder.
2. In a bowl mix rice flour, urad dal flour, ajwain, sesame seeds, salt, chilli powder, butter and mix. Add water as needed and knead into a soft dough.
3. Heat oil in a pan for frying. Take muruku press, set the disc for star-shape (or any desired shape), put dough into it. When oil is hot enough, press the top of muruku press and drop into hot oil in circular shape to make concentric circles.
4. Fry both sides till golden brown, approximately for 5 min and remove. Repeat till dough is used.
5. Let them cool and store in air-tight container.