Urad Murukku is a delicious, crispy snack made from urad dal (split black gram) and rice flour, often enjoyed during festivals and special occasions in South India. This variation of the traditional murukku recipe uses pressure-cooked urad dal for ease and convenience, without compromising on the crispy texture and flavor.
Ingredients (Makes 20-25 Murukkus)
For the Murukku Dough:
• Urad dal (split black gram): 1 cup
• Rice flour: 2 cups
• Hot water: ½ to ¾ cup (for kneading the dough)
• Salt: 1 ½ teaspoons (adjust to taste)
• Cumin seeds: ½ teaspoon
• Ajwain (carom seeds): ½ teaspoon
• Hing (asafoetida): A pinch
• Red chili powder: ½ teaspoon (optional, for a mild heat)
• Sesame seeds: 1 tablespoon (optional)
• Ghee or butter: 1 tablespoon (for dough)
• Oil: For frying
Instructions
1. Pressure Cooking the Urad Dal:
• Rinse the urad dal under running water to remove any impurities.
• Add the urad dal to a pressure cooker and add 1 cup of water.
• Pressure cook the urad dal for 2-3 whistles on medium heat, then turn off the heat and let the pressure release naturally.
• Once the pressure is released, open the lid and check the dal. It should be soft but not mushy. Drain any excess water from the cooked dal, if necessary.
2. Preparing the Urad Dal Paste:
• Transfer the cooked urad dal to a blender or food processor.
• Blend the cooked urad dal into a smooth paste, adding a little water as needed. The paste should be thick and smooth, not runny. It’s crucial to blend it well to achieve a light, airy batter for crispy murukku.
3. Prepare the Dough:
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the rice flour and urad dal paste.
• Add salt, cumin seeds, ajwain, red chili powder, hing, and sesame seeds (if using). Mix them thoroughly to evenly distribute the spices.
• Heat ½ cup of water in a small pan until it’s hot but not boiling.
• Add the hot water to the rice flour and urad dal mixture little by little, kneading gently with your hands. Add more water as necessary to achieve a smooth, soft dough. The dough should be pliable but firm enough to hold its shape when pressed into the oil.
• Add 1 tablespoon of ghee or butter to the dough for extra crispiness and flavor. Knead until the dough is soft and smooth.
4. Shaping the Murukku:
• Heat oil in a frying pan or kadai over medium heat. The oil should be deep enough to submerge the murukkus.
• Prepare a murukku press (also known as a chakli maker) with a star-shaped plate attachment.
• Grease the inside of the press with a little ghee or oil to prevent sticking.
• Take a portion of the dough and fill it into the murukku press.
• Press the dough into the hot oil, forming spiral shapes or circular patterns. Start from the center and work your way outward in a circular motion to form the traditional murukku shape.
5. Frying the Murukku:
• Fry the murukkus in hot oil until they turn golden brown and crispy. Fry on medium heat to ensure the murukku cooks evenly without burning. The oil temperature should not be too high; if the oil is too hot, the murukku will cook too quickly on the outside and remain uncooked on the inside.
• Flip the murukkus carefully with a slotted spoon to fry both sides evenly.
• Once fried, drain the murukkus on paper towels to remove excess oil.
6. Serve:
• Let the Urad Murukku cool completely before serving.
• Enjoy these crispy, flavorful snacks with tea or as a snack during festivals and special occasions.
Pro Tips for Perfect Urad Murukku:
• Pressure cooking the urad dal ensures the dal is soft and easy to blend. This eliminates the need for roasting the dal, making the recipe quicker and easier.
• Grind the cooked urad dal into a smooth, thick paste. This helps achieve the light and crispy texture in the murukku.
• Add hot water gradually while kneading the dough. The dough should be smooth, soft, and easy to handle, not too sticky or too dry.
• Fry on medium heat: Frying at the right temperature ensures that the murukku cooks evenly and becomes crispy.
• Store the murukku in an airtight container after it has cooled to keep it fresh and crispy for up to a week.
Side Dish Suggestions for Urad Murukku:
• Tea or Coffee: Serve with a cup of masala tea or South Indian filter coffee for a perfect snack pairing.
Enjoy your crispy, crunchy Urad Murukku made with pressure-cooked urad dal for that perfect texture. This snack is ideal for festivals like Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi, or any time you crave a delicious homemade treat!