Crunchy Lentils - A Spicy Tea Time Snack

Evening is the time everyone look out for something to munch upon with a hot cup of tea. I often bake muffins, wholewheat cookies and scones in advance and store them for a couple of days. At times we all feel like having something spicy and crispy to go along with the tea. The Crunchy Lentil snack below fits the bill perfectly.

A bit time consuming but believe me the recipe is worth giving a try. You can store the snack for about 15 days without refrigeration and more if you freeze it in zip lock bags.
Ingredients;

• A mix of Lentils
• Salt as desired
• Chilly powder as desired
• Chaat masala (optional)
• 1/2 tsp. Baking soda
• Oil for deep frying

Method; The combo of lentils you can try for the recipe is Chickpeas (kabuli channa), dried peas, lentils (massor dal), green gram (moong dal), split chickpeas (channa dal), black eyed beans, soybeans etc.
Wash each lentil with clean water. Soak the bigger lentils (chickpeas, peas, soybeans, black eyed beans) overnight and the smaller variety for about 3-4 hours separately with the baking soda dissolved in water.
Drain the water the next day and spread the soaked lentils on a clean kitchen towel. Tap dry the lentils.
Heat oil in a wok and add a small batch of each lentil at a time. Fry for a few minutes till they change color and take out from hot oil.
Fry all the remaining lentils. Let it cool. Mix in salt, chilly powder and the chaat masala in the fried lentils.
Store and serve the crispy lentil snack with hot cup of tea.
Notes;

1. Try to soak each lentil in separate container.
2. Baking soda makes the hard lentils become soft and large, which makes them  crunchy when fried.
3. Fry groundnuts separately without soaking and add to the fried lentil snack.
4. This Crunchy Lentil snack makes a perfect travel and picnic snack.

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