Minapa Jantikalu

Minapa Jantikalu.

Jantikalu are made by a special instrument called jantikalu maker with a circular plate. Jantikalu recipes vary in the different type of flours or spices being used. Here, rice flour and urad dal flour is mixed with hot oil and water into a soft dough. This dough is extracted through the jantikalu press and deep fried till they turn light golden in color. Store tight in a jar and serve as required.
Makes: around 15 Minapa Jantikalu.

Ingredients:

Rice Flour 3 Cups
Urad Dal 1 Cup
Sesame Seeds 1 tsp
Cumin Seeds 1/8 tsp
Butter 2 Tbsps
Salt to taste
Oil for deep frying

Method of preparation:

Warm up the butter and keep aside.
Roast and grind the urad dal into fine powder along with cumin seeds.

In a mixing bowl, sift rice flour and ground urad dal.
Stir in sesame seeds and salt.
Slowly pour the warm butter into the mixing bowl and mix well with a spatula.
Add enough water to the mixture and knead to form a soft loose dough.

Insert a handful of dough into murukulu maker / muruku press.
Choose the disc with cirular perforations in it.
Spread a plastic wrap or a tissue on a table.
Slowly press and move the muruku maker in circular motion to let the strings drop onto the plastic wrap.
Form a small 3 – 4 inch disks with the dough.

Heat oil in a deep frying pan on medium – low heat.
Slowly drop the prepared minapa jantikalu into hot oil.
Deep fry the minapa jantikalu until light golden color on both sides and remove onto a absorbent paper.
Make sure the jantikalu are light and crisp, else deep fry again till crispy enough.
Repeat the same with any leftover jantikulu.
Store tight in a jar and jantikalu stays fresh for couple of weeks.
Store in a freezer to extend the shelf life.
Serve minapa jantikalu as a tea time snack.
Notes: Make sure not to over fry the jantikalu. Adjust the flame occasionally to let the oil have a constant temperature.

Suggestions: If the dough is too tight and doesn’t come through the murukulu press, mix in a few tbsps of hot water into the dough and try again. You can also add few tablespoons of warmed oil to the dough.
Variations: Check other snacks recipes here.
Other Names: Minapa Jantikalu.