Masala Cashewnuts to celebrate a Milestone!!

Exactly a year back,after writing the post for more than a week,I posted this.Yup,my first post.I was actually feeling like a 10th standard student who has just submitted her board exam answer paper.Felt so tensed whether anyone would read my blog at all.I started posting regularly and even though few of my first posts got zero comments,it didn?t deter my spirit at all.I believed that I was a beginner and I have to strive hard to make a mark.I had to make a place of my own and I would like to believe that today I have.

I was a constant lurker[now I know the term] and did not know that there was a comment section below the post when I was introduced to the blogosphere.I remember reading my first ever food blog and that was of Roopa?s[My Kitchen Treats] and from there I got the link to Shilpa?s and then Purnima?s and then Deeba?s,Srivalli?s and so on.I was simply awed that there existed such a great treasure of recipes,food pictures and more.I wished my blog would become popular one day too,I got thrilled when I glanced at my sitemeter which seemed to pace forward every day;-).

And then it happened.I started to get comments on my posts.My favourite bloggers were commenting on my posts.That was a big big achievement for me.I still giggle like a schoolgirl when I read comments full of encouragement and appreciation.Thank you folks,if it wasn?t for you,I wouldn?t have reached so far.I hope this journey continues this way forever.

Along with bouquets,I got some brickbats too.Not some-two to be precise.I was used to getting compliments on my posts and it came as a thunderbolt when this person gave a pretty nasty comment on my post Egg Roast.I reacted badly,I know.I felt bad that I wasn?t ready to accept criticism.I could have deleted the comments,but I want to remember always that I have to accept criticism,however bad that is.

Anyway,this has been a very pleasant year for me.I am doing something which I really enjoy doing and I am happy that blogging is not going to fizzle out from my itinerary anytime soon..;-)

To celebrate this joyous day,let me present you an amazing snack ?Masala Cashewnuts.Amma is famous for her ?tallele kajoobi? so much so that she prepared this for my wedding.Not for one or two set of guests but for the entire crowd.Sounds unbelievable? but its true.For the giveaway sweet box during our marriage, this was a special item and amma wanted to prepare it herself.About 1000 boxes were made and each had about 5-7 cashews in it.One of my hubby?s favourites too.An expensive snack,but its ok to splurge once in a while.After all am celebrating my birthday..er..blog birthday I mean!!

Masala Cashewnuts

Ingredients

Cashewnuts ? ½ kilo
Gram flour ? 1 cup*
Red chilly powder ? 1 ½ tsp
Hing/asafoetida ? 1 tsp
Salt to taste
Oil for frying**
Curry leaves ? few sprigs

Method

In a big mixing bowl,take the cashewnuts and sprinkle few tsps water and apply enough salt on it.Keep aside for 10 minutes.
Add chilly powder and hing.
Now add the gram flour little by little till all the cashews are coated well.

Deep fry the masala coated cashews in hot oil till it becomes slight brown in colour-drop handfuls of cashews into the oil and with a slotted spoon,try and separate the cashews,this is important otherwise the cashews will stick together and you would get a whole solid mass of fried cashews which is not so pleasant.
In the same oil fry the curry leaves.Mix with the fried cashews and store in an airtight container once it cools.

*1 cup is an approximate measure.Keep adding the flour little by little till all the cashews get coated well.
**Amma uses coconut oil for frying and that gives a distinct flavour to the cashews.Any cooking oil/refined oil can be used.