We have traveled to Nepal many times, and this snack is like coming “home” to our Nepali family. It’s amazing what food does to induce nostalgia and bring back beautiful memories. This is a snack you can easily find being sold on the streets of Kathmandu any day of the week. Our favorite place to eat it is in the home of our dear Nepali family. But since we can’t be there with them today, we can make it here in our Kentucky home, and think of them and all their love and kindness as we do. We hope you love it as much as we do!
Puffed rice -1 cup
Chickpea -1/4 cup
Cilantro chopped -1/4 cup
Tomato Diced-1
Cucumber diced -1/2
Red onion chopped-1
Lemon juice- 2 teaspoons (or to taste)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil -1 tbsp
Green chili- 2
Red chili powder- 1 tsp (to add a little extra taste and color)
Salt – 1 tsp
*we’ve found the best puffed rice on Amazon. You can order here. Many of the puffed rice brands we’ve found in the stores are not quite as tasty. Avoid the brown puffed rice, and puffed rice for cereal. It’s not the same!
In a big bowl put chickpeas, cilantro, tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, and green chilis. Add lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil and mix well. You can add other vegetables such as radishes or carrots, according to your liking. Many Nepalis add in raw flavored ramen to give it even more crunch.
Finally, add puffed rice and add chili powder and salt to taste. Mix well and serve immediately.
Serve in a bowl or if you want to really feel like you’re in Nepal, serve in a cone made from newspaper.
Eat with fingers or a spoon and enjoy this fresh snack! Leave a comment here if you make it and love it!
