Palak / Spinach Murukku

There's something magical about the way traditional recipes evolve to embrace modern health consciousness while maintaining their authentic charm. The Palak Murukku (Spinach Murukku) is a perfect example of this delicious evolution – a creative spin on the classic South Indian crispy snack that adds nutritious spinach to the mix.

For the uninitiated, murukku is a beloved South Indian snack known for its distinctive spiral shape and satisfying crunch. The word "murukku" literally means "twisted" in Tamil, referring to its characteristic coiled appearance. Traditionally made with rice flour and urad dal flour, these savory spirals are seasoned with cumin, black pepper, and other spices before being deep-fried to crispy perfection.

Palak murukku – a modern interpretation that incorporates fresh spinach into the traditional recipe. This innovative variation not only adds a beautiful green hue but also packs in the nutritional benefits of spinach: iron, vitamins A and C, and antioxidants. The mild earthiness of spinach complements the traditional spices beautifully, creating a snack that's both nostalgic and novel.

The beauty of palak murukku lies in its versatility. It's:

• A perfect tea-time companion
• A healthy alternative to processed snacks
• An excellent way to sneak vegetables into children's diets
• A festive treat that stands out on holiday snack platters
• A crunchy addition to lunch boxes

Creating these green spirals requires some practice and patience. The dough needs to be just right – not too soft or too firm. The proportion of spinach puree to flour is crucial; too much moisture can make the murukku absorb excess oil, while too little won't give you that desired green color and nutritional boost.

Like traditional murukku, these spinach-enhanced spirals can be stored in an airtight container for several weeks, making them perfect for bulk preparation during festivals or as homemade gifts. They're best enjoyed on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with or a cup of tea.

Let’s dive into this healthy variation of murukku!

Ingredients:

• Rice flour - 2 cups (heaped)
• Roasted ured dhal - ½ cup
• Hot oil or butter - 1 ladle
• Asafoetida - a pinch
• Cumin seeds - 1 tsp.
• Palak leaves - a small bunch
• Oil - for deep frying the murukkus
• Salt - 1 tsp. or as needed

Method:

• Wash and clean the palak and blanch the palak in hot water for 3 minutes and drain.
• Grind them nicely when cooled.
• In a vessel, take rice flour, ured flour and salt and mix well.
• Now add 1 ladle of hot oil or butter in this and mix well. Butter should be in room temperature.
• Now add the palak paste and mix well.
• Add water little by little to this and mix into a thick dough.
• Take a murukku achu and put the single star plate and apply oil inside.
• Now take the dough and keep inside and press the flour into a circular shape in hot oil.
• Cook till both sides are crisp. Do not keep in oil for more time. Otherwise the murukkus will burn.

Note:

• For roasted ured dhal, dry roast the ured dhal in a pan till it becomes golden brown. Then cool it and grind to a fine powder.