10 Authentic Indian Recipes Your Dadi Never Wrote Down

4. Farali Chivda — Fasting-day snack mix with peanuts and flattened rice

Farali chivda is the crunchy snack your dadi pulled out when family members observed fasts or needed a light treat. “Farali” refers to fasting-friendly foods in several regions, and this chivda is built from flattened rice (poha), roasted peanuts, roasted makhana (fox nuts), coconut slivers, and spices like rock salt, cumin, or mild black pepper. It’s cooked with care to keep each element crisp and separated, using minimal oil and quick, high-heat tossing. The result is a snack that fills and satisfies without breaking dietary rules of vrat days. In North America, you can source poha and makhana at Indian grocers; plain rice-based crisps also offer a quick substitute. Many grandmothers added a tempering of ghee for aroma, while others toasted ingredients in oil for a different mouthfeel—both are authentic variations. Store the finished chivda in an airtight container so it remains crisp for gifting or long snack sessions. This mix shows how resourceful home cooks turned a few pantry staples into a festival-ready comfort.