Chivda (Indian Snack Mix)

This is my version of chivda (Indian snack mix). I was inspired by Tickling Palates Instagram photo of last Oct. 25 and her recipe for Cornflakes Mixture/Corn Flakes Chivda, as well as by MadhurasRecipe Marathi on YouTube. I used an organic "frosted flakes cereal" that's a little sweet, but works well here, as well as kettle-cooked potato chips (40% less fat). First, I pan-roasted a cup of aval/poha (beaten flat rice) and some ground cashews in a little oil, with some turmeric, onion powder (as I didn't have hing/asafetida), salt, and sugar. Next, I mixed in the cereal, and then potato chips. It was delicious!  Salty and sweet, with a little something else, and also crunchy.

Tickling Palates Website, Cornflakes Mixture Recipe 

MadhurasRecipe Marathi YouTube, Patal Pohe Chivda 

MadhurasRecipe Marathi YouTube, Bhajake Pohe Chivda

Sabzi Pulao (Vegetable Rice Pilaf) - another view

Another view of the Sabzi Pulao. It contains mustard seeds and sambhar powder normally in South Indian dishes, as well as other spices from traditional North Indian pulaos. It's easy, with a dish like this, to make enough to feed half an army, so I like to freeze the extra for another time when I'm too tired or busy to cook.

Sabzi Pulao (Vegetable Rice Pilaf)

Sabzi Pulao from The Turmeric Trail by Raghavan Iyer, except it contains cauliflower instead of potato. Aside from the addition of a couple of spoonfuls of ground cashews for protein, and using less oil, it otherwise follows the recipe. I used to make this recipe all the time, but it's been a while. I like to eat it with yogurt and potato chips.