Namakpara (Namkeen)

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Diwali is couple of days away, and this year I am determined to try my hands on as many snacks as I can, I am already done with nan khatai, sabu dana papad and namak para. Its not only a delicious diwali snack, it can be made any time of the year and enjoyed.
Here goes the recipe for namak para.
Ingredients: 

  1. Maida (All Purpose flour) : 1 cup ( more you use more namak paras it would make)
  2. Oil / butter: 2 tbsp
  3. Salt to taste
  4. Red Chilli Powder: to taste
  5. Freshly ground black pepper as per taste
  6. Oil For deep frying
  7. Water for kneading the dough.
  8. Black Salt:  1 tsp

Procedure:
Add salt, oil/ butter to the flour and mix together.
Knead the flour without water till the oil is nicely absorbed into it. 
To know that the flour is ready take  a handful of the flour and close your fist tightly. 
When you open your fist the flour should hold the shape but break when touched.


Now knead the flour with adding little water at a time into a soft dough.
knead the dough for about 1 to 2 minutes to make the dough smooth and pliable.
Set the dough aside and cover it with damp cloth. Let the dough sit for at least 15 minutes.
Heat the oil for deep frying. 
Divide the dough into 4 equal part.
To roll the dough you can either lightly grease the rolling pad and pin or use dry flour. I prefer dry flour to roll out my dough as its easier for me, but the traditional method is to grease the pan and pin.
Which ever way you decide to choose, roll one portion of the dough as big as your rolling pad is.
And cut diamonds out of the dough, by running your knife or pizza cutter through the rolled dough in horizontal strips and then vertical strips.
 By now the oil should be hot, reduce the flame to medium heat and deep fry the namak paras till they are golden brown and crispy.
Remove from heat and drain excess oil on a paper towel.
Repeat with rest of the dough.
Once all the namak paras are done, let them cool down a bit.
In the mean while mix ground pepper, red chili powder and black salt.
Once the namak paras are cool sprinkle the earlier made powder and toss well.
Enjoy with a cup of warm tea or coffee or share with your friends as a token on Diwali and enjoy.
Till then happy blogging
Rakhee

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