Aiva Roasted Chana / Daria (Pottukadalai) 500g

Aiva Roasted Chana, sold as daria or pottukadalai, is split chickpeas that have already been dry-roasted, so they need no cooking at all. They are crisp, nutty and mild, and in South Indian cooking they do a job no other ingredient does: ground into chutney, they thicken it without water and without cooking.

Best for

• Coconut chutney for idli and dosa
• Chutney powders and masala blends
• Ladoo and other sweets, once ground to flour
• Chivda, namkeen, sundal and snacking by the handful

Using it

For chutney, grind two tablespoons with coconut, green chilli and a little water; add it a spoon at a time, as it thickens quickly. For a chutney powder, grind dry with red chilli, garlic and salt to a coarse meal. Eaten as they are, a short toss in a hot dry pan with salt and chilli powder wakes them up.

Pack and storage

500 g. Store in a cool, dry place, sealed after opening, in an airtight container so they stay crisp.