Chekkalu (Andhra Tea time Snack)

Chekkalu Recipe: Ingredients: 2 cups rice flour, 6-8 green chillies,2-3 stems curry leaves (better if chopped/ halved), a lime size piece of ginger, 1cup Soaked saggubeeyyam(saboo dana), 1/2 cup split roasted gram (Daria daal). Salt to taste and 50-75 grams butter (at room temperature). A Plain sheet of cling film or any plastic cover/sheet(to press the dough). Oil and a heavy bottom deep pan for frying. Method: In a mixer grinder grind together ginger and chillies to make a fine paste. In a dry bowl mix rice flour salt and butter together. Now add the chilli paste, chopped curry leaves, gram dal, saboo dana and combine with little water to form a smooth dough. Make small balls and place them on the plastic sheet.Press with fingers to make small flat round poppadum shapes. Use a drop of oil on your hands to avoid from sticking. Heat oil in the pan and fry on a medium heat slowly till golden brown. Do not heat oil on high as this will burn and not allow the dough to cook well. Crispy and Yummy chekkalu are ready to eat. They can be stored for over a week in an air tight container! Cheers, Chandini