Congress Kadlekai is a popular snack from Karnataka. These are spiced peanuts, and perfect with a cuppa.
Peanuts are the new age rage for those chasing the protein goals and offers a plant based alternative to Cheese / Paneer / Tofu for the vegetarian seeking to add protein in all meals. This Congress kadlekayi / Spiced masala peanuts is a fond childhood memory, of makign and munching on these especially during vacations when time stood still and we needed to engage in long hours of story book reading….This snack, like the microwave masala peanuts are an essential part of Bhel puri (indian street food) that we recreate at home, on a mildly cloudy or chilly evening.
Now, there are multiple stories behind the rather “political” name given to this snack, but the legend goes that this was a trending snack started in the regime of a popular politician of a particular party. Whatever be the reason, the snack is extremely addictive.
5 reasons to make this Congress Kadlekayi:
- Takes only 10 minutes from scratch to finish (if you have skinned peanuts on hand)
- Very low / zero oil.
- Easily scaleable to feed a crowd (think Super Bowl / house parties / snacks on the go)
- Infinitely addictive and high protein (of course, portion control is always advised)
- Made with just 5 ingredients (apart from salt of course :p)
Let’s make these in a pan, I have made this in an air fryer too. And will share that vid shortly too.
Other dishes with peanuts as star ingredients you may like on the blog:
Prep time – 5 mins, cook time – 10 mins, Makes – 100 grams / serves 4
Ingredients for Congress Kadlekai
- 100 gram peanuts (deskinned,use fresh batch of peanuts for best results)
- 1 TBSP oil (any neutral oil)
- 1 sprig curry leaves
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 tsp black pepper powder (coarsely powdered pepper powder works best)
- 1/2 tsp Asafoetida (skip for Gluten Free, else quite a key ingredient)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp sugar (optional)
How to make Congress Kadlekai
- In a pan, heat oil.
- Fry curry leaves till crisp on low heat
- Tip in the peanuts and roast them till warm
- If the peanuts aren’t skinned, roast them in an oven, de-skin and then use in the recipe.
- If you have de-skinned peanuts on hand, skip above step.
- Now the peanuts have turned warm and curry leaves crumble, tip in the salt and spices.
- Fry on very low heat.
- Finish with black pepper and cool lightly.
- Store in an airtight container (it doesn’t last that long at home, as its grabbed the minute its done)
- Enjoy with your cuppa or top it on salads.
PIN FOR LATER
Congress Kadlekai | Spiced Peanut snack
Equipment
- Thick Bottomed Pan
- Spatula
Ingredients
- 100 gram peanuts deskinned, use fresh batch of peanuts for best results
- 1 TBSP oil any neutral oil
- 1 sprig curry leaves
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 tsp black pepper powder coarsely powdered pepper powder works best
- 1/2 tsp Asafoetida skip for Gluten Free, else quite a key ingredient
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp sugar optional
Instructions
- In a pan, heat oil.
- Fry curry leaves till crisp on low heat
- Tip in the peanuts and roast them till warm
- If the peanuts aren’t skinned, roast them in an oven, de-skin and then use in the recipe.
- If you have de-skinned peanuts on hand, skip above step.
- Now the peanuts have turned warm and curry leaves crumble, tip in the salt and spices.
- Fry on very low heat.
- Finish with black pepper and cool lightly.
- Store in an airtight container (it doesn’t last that long at home, as its grabbed the minute its done)
- Enjoy with your cuppa or top it on salads.
Notes
- Takes only 10 minutes from scratch to finish (if you have skinned peanuts on hand)
- Very low / zero oil.
- Easily scaleable to feed a crowd (think Super Bowl / house parties / snacks on the go)
- Infinitely addictive and high protein (of course, portion control is always advised)
- Made with just 5 ingredients (apart from salt of course :p)
