Puffed Rice Bars | Murmura Chikki

Murmura Chikki or puffed rice-jaggery bar is a traditional Indian recipe especially prepared during winters.  It’s a very simple recipe with only 3 ingredients – Jaggery, Puffed Rice & Ghee (clarified butter).

Jaggery

On a simple note, Jaggery is solidified sugar cane juice. You can call it unrefined sugar. It is a staple in Indian households. It has a better nutrient content compared to Sugar and has many health benefits. Jaggery can be also prepared with other plant sources.

• Jaggery is a good source of important minerals such as iron, Phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, and calcium.
• It contains fiber that can aid in digestion and promote regular bowel movements. It is advised to consume some jaggery after a meal.
• Relieves respiratory problems.
• Anemia prevention: Jaggery is rich in Iron thus can help with prevention of Anemia. Our elders advised to eat Jaggery with peanuts to increase blood in body.
• It keeps body warm, so Jaggery based sweets are mostly advised in winters.

Jaggery – Benefits, Nutrition Value & Weight Loss – Blog – HealthifyMe Can help you with more details about Jaggery.

Puffed Rice

Puffed rice is prepared by treating rice grains in high temperature and pressure. Its crunchy texture is loved by kids. It is known as ‘murmura’ in India. It can be enjoyed standalone as a quick snack.

Ghee (Clarified Butter)

This is another staple in Indian cooking with numerous health benefits. We will be using only small quantity of ghee in this recipe.

Ingredients & quantity

1. Puffed Rice – 3 cup
2. Jaggery – 3/4^th cup
3. Ghee – 1 tbsp

Method

1. Heat the pan on medium flame.
2. Dry roast Puffed rice for about 5 mins. Make sure grains are properly roasted and are not turning brown. Turn the flame low if required.
3. Pour roasted puffed rice in another container where they can cool down.
4. Add 1 tbsp of ghee to a heated pan.
5. Add 3/4^th cup jaggery. You can add Jaggery up to 1 cup if you prefer sweeter taste.
6. Let Jaggery Melt & boil.
7. Once Jaggery is boiling, turn off the flame.
8. Add roasted puffed rice to jaggery mixture and mix gently.
9. Ensure all grains are coated evenly with Jaggery.
10. Remove the mixture and pour it on a pre-greased surface.
11. Flatten it as per the size you will prefer.
12. Wait for it to cool and then cut in square pieces using sharp knife.

Instructions with pictures

1. Dry roast puffed rice on medium heat.

2. Heat 2 TBSP ghee

3. Add Jaggery. Let it melt. Wait till it boils.

4. Switch off the flame and add puffed rice to Jaggery mixture. Stir gently. Pour the contents to pre-greased surface.  Flatten it slightly.

5.  Allow it to cool completely. Cut into square pieces using sharp knife.

6.Store it in an air-tight container. Fishing it within 5 days as they soften when exposed to air.

This batch got finished within 2 days. My son & husband both loved it. This is a good snack option if your family has sweet tooth, and you prefer homemade food. It involves no hard work. Quite straight forward recipe. In India, you would mostly find Murmura Laddo’s (in round shape). I prefer to do it in square pieces like ‘Chikki’ so that my son finds it easier to hold and eat.