நெய் கடலை (Nei Kadalai)
Nei kadalai is a crunchy and spicy snack, which is popular in southern parts of India. Especially, it is sold in theaters in small pouches. This is one of 90’s kids favorite movie time snack. Though ghee is not used in this snack, it is called as nei kadalai.
Ingredients for Nei Kadalai
Channa dal – 1 cup
Chilli powder – 1 tsp
Curry leaves – 1 Spring
Oil for frying
Salt as needed
Directions
Soak channa dal 3-4 hours in a bowl.
Rinse the dal and drain the water.
Spread the drained dal over a cotton cloth.
Dry the dal in partial shade for 1 hour.
Heat oil in a pan and keep the flame low medium.
Place 1 scoop of dal in a steel mesh/ strainer (shown in picture).
Dip the strainer into the oil until dal completely immerse.
Stir the dal in-between.
Fry the dal until bubbles stop.
Drain the dal and place that to a paper towel.
Follow the same steps and fry all the remaining dal.
In the same way fry the curry leaves.
After cool down, transfer the dal and curry leaves to a mixing bowl.
Drizzle chilli powder and salt then give a good mix.
Nei kadalai ready.
Notes
Don’t over soak and don’t over fry the dal.
Adjust the chilli powder according to your spice level.
Pictures
Ingredients 
Soak dal in water for 3-4 hours 
Drain water 
Spread in cotton cloth to dry 1hr 
Dried dal 
Heat oil in a pan in low medium flame 
Take small amount of dal in mesh 
Place strainer inside hot oil 
Make sure it immerse in oil 
Stir in-between 
Take out when bubble stops 
Place it in paper towel 
Now take curry leaves in mesh 
Fry curry leaves 
Take all fried dal in mixing bowl 
Place fried curry leaves in mixing bowl 
Add chili powder and salt 
Mix well 
Nei Kadalai ready 
நெய் கடலை
