I’ve been trying to avoid fried food… but tonight,
Shilpa’s picture pushed me over the edge… I had to try…
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deep-frying the murukulu
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These were made using Indira’s recipe, minus the sesame seeds. They don’t call it “first try” for nothing — but finally toward the end, I got a few of the circular shapes.
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crunchy murukulu – half a pound!
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I think I made the dough a little too soft, and I chickened out and didn’t add all the chili powder called for, but all in all I was fairly pleased with the attempt.
Out Of The Garden 
Manisha said
Linda, to make the circular/spiral shape, you press the dough out on wax paper on your counter. Then using a flat turner, you pick it up carefully and release it slowly into the hot oil. I’m not sure if you did do this but from the shape of the chaklis, it looks like you tried to get the shape directly in the oil. I could be wrong. Check out Shilpa’s tutorial on chakli.
And, by the way, this was an excellent first try! My first try was a disaster. The chaklis disintegrated as soon they touched the oil! I made very oily sev instead. 😀
Hi Manisha —
Well, that’s a pretty good laugh on me first thing in the morning; you’re right — I was pressing out the chaklis directly over the oil! A few finally came out in spirals — albeit unruly ones. Thanks for the link to Shilpa’s tutorial. Live and learn, I guess. Next time I’ll try the *sensible* way… 😉
Vaishali said
Linda,
It’s quite courageous of you to have tried Chaklis for your first such experiment. I mean, they are after all one the complicated ones. I have never tried making them on my own yet. 🙂
Btw, I have tagged you for something like a meme. Please check out my latest post for more info.
Thank you Vaishali — I stopped by your blog and left you a comment there about it. The chaklis were definitely an experiment, but I think the dough part was easy enough. Now I know to use a heavier hand with the spice though. The hand coordination was another story 🙂
Manisha said
Laugh? No way! Like Vaishali said, you are a very brave woman! I get my husband to press the chaklis on the counter. My press is an old ancient brass press so it’s very heavy – well, for me! Add to it the fact that my arms are weakened from sitting at a keyboard for all these years. Then top it off with being ‘challenged’ in the height department. Kitchen counters are made for much taller people than me! In India, my mother had her kitchen counters made to suit our height. It helped when making rotis, chopping veggies and making faraal (spicy snacks).
I was the one laughing at the joke on me, this morning 😉 And it was funny. I like to think I have a decent supply of common sense, but it never occurred to me to make the shapes THEN fry them 😉
My nana had the same height challenge; that never stopped her either 🙂
Arjuna said
Linda
Chakli looks awesome.. if you ask me shapes have nothing to do with great tasting food(since I am also weak in that department :-)).. I get Krishna to make the spirals for me and if you really want to make spirals, make them ahead of time (before you heat oil) on a wax paper like Manisha suggested. It saves time and makes chakli making a fun experience since you can do that while watching your favorite show on the TV 🙂
Thank you Arjuna! And I agree — great taste is not dependent upon great shape! I like the idea of making the spirals ahead — now where will I get a tv for the kitchen? 😉
shilpa said
Good job Linda. I was also too scared of them before trying….do not bother about shapes, they taste heavenly in any shape :D.
Thank you Shilpa — it looks like the chaklis came naturally to you as they are lovely on your blog. I can’t wait to try the moong dal variety — thanks so much for posting that recipe so soon 🙂
Asha said
Great job, Linda! Now I have to make some!
Your first picture is really funny, made me smile and then you got better !! Success !! 🙂
If you would like a dessert to go with it, check out my mango cobbler! That will put out your fire!! Thanks!
Thank you Asha — and yes, I was laughing this morning too when I saw what I had done. 🙂
Your mango cobbler looks delicious. That is the same topping my mom uses for apple crisp at Thanksgiving… yum!
sudha vinodh said
Linda Great try..and surly it looks good..i think i will need some from the right away..as Arjuna said shapes has nothing to to do with the great taste..its fine..for a first time you have done a great job..can u pls send some to me here..its so cold and i feel like having them straight out of the oil…:-)
Hi Sudha, and thank you! It’s getting chilly here, too. I will send some right away, and some nice hot tea 🙂
Deepa said
Your Murukulu looks great.I will try during deevali.
Thank you, Deepa. I just peeked at your blog. Okra curry looks delicious 🙂
Lera said
Awesome first trial pictures….you ‘ve done it…:)
Thank you, Lera 🙂