Chekka Garelu ( Telangana Special Appalu )

Chekka Garelu /Appaalu is a traditional Telangana snack usually made during festival season. It is also called  as Chekkalu' .Its a simple and savory version of rice crackers. 

Ingredients:

Rice flour - 4 cups

Channa dal - 1/4 cup

Crushed peanuts - 1/2 cup

Sesame seeds - 2 tbsp

Cumin seeds - 1 tbsp

Red chilly powder - 3 tsp

Curry leaves - few

Spring onion - 1 bunch

Oil - 3 tbsp

Salt to taste

Water -- to make the dough 

Oil -- for deep frying

Preparation:

• Soak the raw Channa dal in water for 10-15 mins,chop the spring onion.
• In a large bowl, take the rice flour, add the red chilly powder, salt, cumin seeds, sesame seeds, chopped curry leaves, soaked Channa dal and the crushed peanuts,spring onion. Mix them well crushing with your fingers till all the peanuts and the Channa dal is coated with the dry flour.
• Now heat 3 tbsp oil till its warm  enough. Add this oil to the  flour mixture. Carefully mix all the ingredients well. 
• Now add lukewarm water to the above mixture slowly as you keep mixing it with a spoon. When mixed well the dough should be of a chapati dough consistency.
• Cover it with a damp cloth and let the dough rest for 25-30 minutes.
• In a kadhai, heat the oil to deep fry the appaalu.
• Take a small golf-ball size dough, while pressing between your palms, make it into round disc. 
• In a small bowl take some oil, apply oil on this disc. 
• To make the pooris you need a Poori-press or Tortilla Press.
• Place a plastic sheet inside the poori-press  and apply some oil to the sheet to avoid the dough from sticking to the poori press. 
• Place the dough disc inside the poori-press and press it till its thin like poori . 
• If the poori tears, press it with your fingers to cover any imperfections. 
• Deep fry it in the oil on a low flame till golden brown and crispy.
• Appaalu goes excellent with a hot cup of Indian tea. One crunchy bite of appaalu and a sip of hot tea is a tea lovers delight.

Note:

• Poori press is sold as Tortilla Press in US. I got mine from bed bath & beyond for $19.99.

Contributed by 

Prathima Juvvadi