Maharashtrian Chakli ~ Simple Delicious Food Recipes

Maharashtrian Chakli is one of the popular traditional Indian Savories made during festivals. In Maharashtra, as with other states as well, these Chakalis are made during Diwali. I wanted to make for Ganesh Chaturthi and confirmed with Pradnya if they make it on other festivals too. She said though they mostly make this for Diwali, its now prepared on this festival too, to feed the visitors who come in for darshan of each other’s idol.

Today’s recipe is adapted from Pradnya, who had given us the Bajani flour for the chakli when we met for our BM#50 Anniversary Meet. We wanted to make the chakali as exactly they did, so I referred to her recipe and made it. We all loved it and wanted to make the flour at home as well, which we did for the second batch.

In our family, growing up I have seen and enjoyed the many festival dishes that Amma makes. For Deepavali, she used to start atleast four days in advance to prepare all the dishes. For Ganesh Chaturthi, all the dishes are cooked on the same day. We don’t make Murukkus on that day, we may have done it earlier itself.

Amma makes murukku for other festivals too, while certain specific dishes are made only for Ganesh Chathurthi like the Kolukattai, sundal and Athamma makes Boorelu, Gaarelu and Kudaalu etc. Imagine the whole day spent preparing these dishes and devouring it by the day itself! If I have to list out the Murukku recipes that I have shared, it will be endless, as Amma has so many recipes and since I love Murukku, she has almost covered most. I must check with her if she still has some version left undone.

Maharashtrian Chakli

While Amma celebrates all the festivals with equal tempo, I am little partial to Ganesh Chaturthi and make all the dishes and also an elaborate feast. Along with all the dishes, I follow Athamma’s habit of making Polis on this day, which helps me as kids love it and only eat that through the day!

These are some of the traditional Indian Dishes prepared for Ganesh Chaturthi.
Ganesh Chaturthi Recipes on Cooking 4 all Seasons
Ganesh Chaturthi Recipes on Spice your Life!

This year Ganesh Chaturthi falls on Friday, 25 August and apart from the dishes I have made, I now need to plan something speical for this year.

Maharashtrian Chakli

Ingredients Needed

3 cups Rice
1 cup Chana Dal / split bengal gram
1/3 cup Moong dal / split yellow dal
1/3 cup Urad Dal / split black dal
1 tbsp Horsegram dal / kale phutane ki dal, roasted powder
1 tbsp Beaten Rice / poha
1 tbsp Coriander Seeds
1 tbsp Cumin Seeds
1/4 tsp Methi Seeds

For making the batter
1 cup Cooking Oil
2 tsp Red Chilli Powder
1 tbsp Sesame Seeds
1 tsp Asafoetida
1 tsp Mustard Seeds
Salt to taste
For cooking
1 litre Cooking Oil

How to make the Chakali

Wash the rice and spread it out on a muslin cloth to dry. Once the rice is completely dried, dry roast over low flame for about 5 to 7 mins till you get the aroma.
In another pan, separately roast each of the other dals till each gives its aroma. This will take about 5 to 7 mins for each dal, while you keep stirring all the time.
Allow all the dals to cool down.
Grind all the cooled dals along with coriander seeds, cumin seeds and methi seeds to a fine flour consistency.
Heat 1 cup of oil, add mustard seeds and hing to it. When the mustard crackles, add the oil to the flour.
Next add the other ingredients listed under batter to the flour and slowly bind together using water. You may need upto 1 cup of water. The flour should be palleable.
Knead the dough in batches well till it binds well. Grease the mould/ chakali maker and add the dough to it. Press the dough out and form small jalebi like circles on a small greased dish, or on a plastic sheet. If the dough breaks while dropping then you may need to knead it again
Gently lift the prepared chakali using a spatula and drop in hot oil. Let it cook on low to medium flame until it is golden in color.
Remove and strain on to kitchen towel. When cool, store in air tight containers.

Maharashtrian Chakli

Maharashtrian Chakli is one of the traditional savouries made during Diwali in Maharashtra, it is also made during other festivals like Ganesh Charthutri to feed the visitors coming in for darshan.

CourseSnacks
CuisineMaharashtra
By Cook MethodDeep Fried
OccasionDiwali, Ganesh Chaturthi
By DietVegan, Vegetarian
Dish TypeDeep Fried Dishes

Ingredients

For the Bhajani/ flour

3cups Rice
1cup Chana Dal/ split bengal gram
1/3cup Split Yellow Moong Dal
1/3cup Urad dal/ split black dal
1tbsp Horsegram Dal/ kale phutane ki dal, roasted powder
1tbsp Beaten Rice/ Poha
1tbsp Coriander Seeds
1tbsp Cumin Seeds
1/4tsp Methi Seeds

For making the dough

1cup Cooking Oil
2tsp Red Chilli powder
1tbsp Sesame Seeds
1tsp Asafoetida
1tsp Mustard Seeds
Salt to taste

For cooking

1litre Cooking Oil

Instructions

Wash the rice and spread it out on a muslin cloth to dry. Once the rice is completely dried, dry roast over low flame for about 5 to 7 mins till you get the aroma.
In another pan, separately roast each of the other dals till each gives its aroma. This will take about 5 to 7 mins for each dal, while you keep stirring all the time.
Allow all the dals to cool down.
Grind all the cooled dals along with coriander seeds, cumin seeds and methi seeds to a fine flour consistency.
Heat 1 cup of oil, add mustard seeds and hing to it. When the mustard crackles, add the oil to the flour.
Next, add the other ingredients listed under batter to the flour and slowly bind together using water. You may need up to 1 cup of water. The flour should be pliable.
Knead the dough in batches well till it binds well. Grease the mould/ chakali maker and add the dough to it. Press the dough out and form small jalebi like circles on a small greased dish, or on a plastic sheet. If the dough breaks while dropping then you may need to knead it again
Gently lift the prepared chakali using a spatula and drop in hot oil. Let it cook on low to medium flame until it is golden in color.
Using a slotted ladle, remove on to a kitchen towel. When cool, store in air tight containers.