Namkeen sev is one of the most favourite snacks of all Indian households. These thin besan sev noodles are always very crispy, thin, and have a very unique taste in every bite. Elders used to use this sev recipe as an accompaniment with puffed rice, dahi vada, etc. But do you know what it takes to get that crunchy texture in sev? It is the cooking oil. Yes, cooking oil plays a vital role in frying sev. Peanut oil is the right choice for the namkeen sev recipe that brings a subtle nutty taste as well.
Peanut oil is also helpful for multiple health concerns. It is packed with Vitamin E, Unsaturated Fatty Acids, etc which protect your cardiovascular health, skin and hair health, cell formation, etc. Besides, there is no trans fat in this oil. So, if you are looking for a sev recipe at home, try using pure, cold pressed peanut oil. Here’s the recipe for making namkeen sev in a very easy way.
Why is Groundnut Oil Perfect for Deep-Frying Namkeen Sev?
While choosing the right cooking oil for namkeen sev, the first question that comes to mind is which oil to choose and why. Well, here is the answer of why you only choose peanut oil for sev.
- High Smoke Point: It handles high frying temperatures with complete ease. The oil stays stable and won’t smoke, break down or burn fine strands of dough.
- Non-Greasy Finish: Peanut oil quickly seals the extruded dough noodles. This quick seal prevents too much oil from seeping into the fragile chickpea flour.
- Mild & Nutty Flavour: It has a light, pleasingly subtle nut flavour. That is why it can enhance the flavor of carom seeds and black pepper without overpowering the snack.
- Benefits of Great Groundnut Oil: This oil is naturally rich in heart-healthy unsaturated fat and Vitamin E. This makes a much cleaner, more nutrient-dense option for your daily deep frying.
If you want to know how to identify pure peanut oil in the market, check out our detailed guide: How to Identify Pure Groundnut Oil in the Market.
List of Ingredients Required for Namkeen Sev Recipe Using Groundnut Oil
Let’s check the ingredients for the sev recipe. Keep these ready before starting to fry the sev.
- Besan
- Rice flour
- Ajwain
- Turmeric powder
- Kashmiri red chilli powder
- Black pepper powder
- Hing
- Water as needed
- Peanut oil
- Salt
How to Make Namkeen Sev Using Groundnut Oil?
Now, follow the steps given here for namkeen sev.
- Sift the besan and rice flour into a large mixing bowl. Add ajwain powder, turmeric, red chilli powder, black pepper, hing and salt.
- Heat two tablespoons peanut oil in a small pan. Pour 1 tablespoon hot oil over the dry flour mix and rub well with your fingers.
- Add water gradually and knead to make a smooth, soft, and slightly sticky dough. Use oil to grease your hands to make the dough easy to handle.
- Grease the inside of a traditional sev maker (sev sancha) with oil. Add a sev plate of your choice, fine or medium.
- Heat the peanut oil in a wide kadai on medium flame. Fill the press with dough and press directly over the hot oil in a circular motion.
- Fry 1 to 2 minutes per side, on medium heat, until the sizzling stops. Drain on paper towels and cool.
Want to enjoy a crispy, delicious tea-time snack at home? Read our detailed recipe, How to Make Crispy Bread Pakora at Home in Groundnut Oil.
Expert Tips For Perfect Namkeen Sev Using Groundnut Oil
Here are some quick tips to achieve the perfect crunch for sev at home.
- Try to sieve the besan and rice flour well, so that there are no lumps in the mixture.
- Keep the dough very soft. A soft dough will pass through the press plate easily.
- Add hot oil to the besan mixture. This creates a light creamy texture which helps in easy frying in peanut oil.
- Cook for no more than 1 to 2 minutes. As these sev strands are very thin, there is a higher chance of faster burning. So, cook for a very low time.
What are the Health Benefits of Groundnut Oil?
Here are some of the top benefits you can get from using peanut oil in any frying or cooking.
- Heart-Friendly Fats: Peanut oil is loaded with healthy unsaturated fats to control cholesterol.
- No Trans Fats: Pure cold pressed peanut oil does not contain any trans fats.
- Rich Natural Vitamin E: This oil is loaded with antioxidants to help protect your body cells on a daily basis.
- Thermal Stability: This oil remains stable during deep-frying for cleaner, safer cooking.
Want to discover why groundnut oil is a favourite in South Indian kitchens? Read our detailed guide, Why Groundnut Oil Is a Favourite in South Indian Cooking.
How to Serve Namkeen Sev in Your Daily Diet?
Here are some serving suggestions for namkeen sev you can try at home.
- Add to bhel puri, dahi puri and sev batata puri for the crunchy texture and traditional taste.
- You can also top warm breakfast poha with a handful of crispy sev and chopped onions.
- Serve it as a tea-time snack and enjoy it with piping hot masala chai or milk tea.
- Mix with fried peanuts, curry leaves and roasted murmura(puffed rice) to make a quick namkeen.
Undoubtedly, namkeen sev is a very easy and go-to option for an everyday snack. If you want to bring that real texture we used to get in packaged sev, you must use peanut oil. But consider only pure and cold pressed oil. Before buying the oil, check the labels and purity ratings. Make sure to buy the oil only from reliable shops or online stores. So, what are you waiting for? Try namkeen sev today and enjoy it with your family.