How to Boil Peanuts

Boiled peanuts is one of my favorite snacks and brings the shopping scene in T.Nagar, Chennai at once into my mind. Tamil Nadu is the only state in India where I find street vendors selling boiled peanuts, and the best part is that they are already peeled and you get so much variety in them - with masala powder, chaat powder mangai etc. Mangai and kadalai are such an integral part of my Chennai shopping agenda :).

Though I love these, it has taken me years to actually make them at home. During my Diwali trip to my sister-in-laws place this year, we were discussing how we have similar food choices and peanuts were one of them. She regularly makes boiled peanuts at home and  I decided to pick the habit too :).  It is pretty simple, water, salt and peanuts in a pressure cooker for some time and its done. Quite an interesting replacement for popcorn during the movie watching session, dont you think ? :)

Ingredients

Serves - 2
Cook time - 20 min

Raw Peanuts - 1 Lb
Salt 1/4 cup [flat measure on the cup]
Water - 4 cups

How do you do it

1. First wash the peanuts to remove all the dirt from its outer skin.

2. Put the peanuts, salt and water in a pressure cooker and mix well. Pressure cook for 20 minutes or for 6-8 whistles.

3. Let the pressure release naturally. Once done, transfer it to another bowl along with the water. DO not drain the water. The taste actually lies in peeling the peanuts and eating those soft and juicy salted peanuts. Enjoy!