Congress Kadlekai & Peanut Masala (Raja Special)

Sunday, April 19, 2020

For the uninitiated, Congress Kadlekai is basically Spicy Roasted Peanuts & is a Bangalore Speciality. This snack has a little bit if history to it & was created way back in 1956 by Sreenivasa Brahmin's Bakery located on DVG Road, Gandhi Bazaar 

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Apart from eating it as a snack, it is also added to a lot of Bangalore style chaats especially Churmuri & Tomato Masala.

For the longest time, Congress Kadlekai was something that we bought only from Iyengar Bakeries in Bangalore & I never attempted making it at home, but its really easy to make it at home, the only effort is to roast, de-skin & halve the peanuts. Once that is ready the rest is easy


Congress Kadlekai


You Will Need:

  • 2 cups Peanuts 
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Red Chili Powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon Pepper Powder
  • 2 big pinches of Asafoetida/Hing
  • 2-3 sprigs of Curry Leaves
  • 2-3 tablespoons cooking oil
  • Salt as per taste 
How To:

In a heavy bottomed pan, dry roast peanuts until they are crisp & the skin turn slightly reddish. Transfer into a bowl & allow it to cool

Place the peanuts on a clean kitchen cloth & tie the edges into a knot & rub the peanuts well. This helps the skin come off easily Split the peanuts into halves & set aside

In the same heavy bottomed pan, heat oil. Once its moderately hot, add Asafoetida, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, pepper powder & curry leaves. Let it sizzle on low heat for about 30 seconds. Add the peanuts & Salt & turn off the heat.

Once its cool, Mix the spice mix & peanuts with your hands, crushing the curry leaves 

Allow it to cool completely before storing them into air tight jars

Peanut Masala (Raja Special)


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Bangalore style Peanut Masala, also known as Raja Special is made using Congress Kadlekai mixed along with the usual suspects like, Onions, Tomatoes & Carrots. It is a very popular starter served in restaurants & local bars all over the city 

It also makes for a great protein packed snack. Once you have Congress Kadlekai ready (Home made/store bought), It takes 5 minutes to put this together 


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To Make Peanut Masala (Raja Special)

  • Half cup Congress Kadlekai
  • 2 tablespoon finely chopped Onion
  • 2 tablespoon finely chopped Tomato
  • 2 tablespoon grated carrots
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 2 tablespoon finely chopped coriander
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt 
How To:

In a wide bowl, mix all the ingredients together & serve as a starter

NOTE:

I have noticed that finely chopped onions when kept aside for a long time, turn bitter. These onions when added to a chaat tends to lend a very bad taste So chop onions a few minutes before you plan  to assemble this dish


Congress Masala

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