Muruku - Christmas Tradition 4

Part of the goodies that we serve, especially during Christmas time, is Muruku. What in tarnation is Muruku? Well, it's a traditional Indian savoury crispy thingamebob. I really don't know how to explain it. So maybe it's best to just tell you how it's made.

Before I explain this, I have to admit that I have never made this and probably never will!   Why?   Firstly, my Mother-in-Law makes the best Muruku around.
Secondly, it's a highly complicated process and I don't have the patience (nor skill) to make it.
If I needed any other reason not to make it is the fact that you can buy Muruku mixture, much like Instant Cake Mix and just whip it up.
As a final reason, Muruku is also often sold ready made in many food stores as well.

So anyway, Muruku is basically a mix of Rice flour, Chick Pea flour (also known as Besan or Gram flour) and spices. These are then mixed together and then piped out into a circular pattern before being deep fried. There is a Murukku Press i.e a contraption made out of wood and brass dies to pipe out Murukku but you still have to move your arms as you squeeze the press to get the round circular shape. It takes a great deal of skill to get it in such a lovely symmetrical shape.

Muruku is full of flavour and it is highly addictive - meaning you can't just eat one. You end up nibbling and crunching them one after the other. It goes really well with Beer too! Also coffee and tea for those that don't imbibe. The kids love to munch on Muruku as well.


I wish I could give you the recipe, but if I did, I'd have to shoot you...

Seriously, my Mother in Law has been making this for such a long time that she just instinctively knows how to throw it all together without following any recipe. And any attempts to ask her just result in "a bit of this, a dash of that, throw in some of those"



Or maybe, just maybe, the Mother-in-Law and the Lovely Wife are conspiring together and keeping secrets from me.....