Instant Jowar Chilla
A chilla, or savoury pancake, is a quick and satisfying option. To make an instant jowar chilla, simply mix jowar flour with water or curd to form a smooth batter. Add finely chopped onions, tomatoes, green chillies, and coriander for flavour and texture.
Season with salt, cumin powder, and a pinch of turmeric. Pour a ladleful of the batter onto a hot, lightly oiled non-stick pan and spread it into a thin circle. Cook on both sides until golden brown and crisp. This snack is light on the stomach, easy to digest, and can be ready in under 15 minutes.
Quick Jowar Tikki
Craving something crispy and patty-like? Jowar tikkis are the perfect solution. If you have boiled potatoes on hand, this becomes even simpler. Mash boiled potatoes and mix them with jowar flour, which acts as a fantastic binding agent. Add spices like red chilli powder, coriander powder, and chaat masala, along with some chopped ginger and coriander leaves. Shape the mixture into small, flat patties and shallow-fry them on a pan with minimal oil until they are golden and crisp on both sides. These tikkis offer a delightful crunch without the guilt of deep-frying.
Spiced Jowar Puffs
For those who miss the crunch of popcorn or packaged snacks, spiced jowar puffs are a brilliant substitute. You can buy plain puffed jowar (jowar murmura) from most grocery stores. To prepare this snack, heat a small amount of ghee or oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds, a pinch of turmeric powder, red chilli powder, and salt. Once the seeds start to splutter, add the puffed jowar and roast for a couple of minutes until the puffs are well-coated and extra crispy. This airy, flavourful snack is low in calories and ready in five minutes.
Easy Jowar Flour Crackers
Store-bought crackers can be full of refined flour and unhealthy fats. Make your own healthy version in no time. Knead jowar flour with a little warm water, a tablespoon of oil, and your favourite seasonings like sesame seeds, ajwain (carom seeds), or dried herbs. Roll the dough out very thinly on a flat surface. Use a knife or a pizza cutter to cut the dough into small, cracker-sized shapes. You can either pan-roast these crackers on a tawa until crisp or bake them in a preheated oven for about 20 minutes. They are perfect for dipping or enjoying on their own.
5-Minute Jowar Mug Dhokla
A spongy, savoury cake in a mug is the ultimate comfort snack, and it can be healthy too. In a microwave-safe mug, mix a few tablespoons of jowar flour with an equal amount of curd. Add a pinch of turmeric, salt, a little ginger-green chilli paste, and a teaspoon of sugar. Whisk it into a smooth batter, ensuring it's not too thick. Add a tiny pinch of fruit salt or baking soda and mix gently. Microwave on high for about 90 seconds to 2 minutes. The dhokla will rise and become fluffy. Top it with a simple tempering of mustard seeds if you wish.
