Nimki or Namak Para is a crispy, crunchy, and flaky tea-time snack that can be served with tea or, coffee and makes for a nice evening snack. (Step-by-step-video)
About the Bihari Nimki Recipe
Nimki, also called namak para or salty diamond fritters, is a tea-time snack recipe. I can vouch for “no one can eat just one,” as it says in the Uncle Chips ad. Nimki means “Salty” in Hindi. But that name doesn’t justify the other attributes of this nice Snack recipe.
It is very crispy and flaky, which can be attributed to the continuous kneading of the dough. This process is very important and is what gives Nimki its texture.
As kids, the only snack that we knew about was Namak Para. And yes, there was the mixture (I always wonder as to what that name is and am confused if it should be a Noun or, verb).
And if there was ever a competition on a plate between Nimki and anything else, it was also Nimki who won.
And I am sure it will win over your taste buds as well.
My brother was in Town last week. I was so excited and happy to see him after such a long time. I had plans to do a lot of things; going out for a trip, making him his favorite dishes, and a lot of many others.
After all, he is my little brother. I might sound a little partial at this point. But I should mention here that I have two brothers and one sister and all three of them are younger than me. All of us live in different cities but that bond still keeps us together.
The reason I am telling you about all this is because today’s recipe is my brother’s favorite recipe. Frankly speaking, I had never tried my hand at making this.
“Our paths may change as life goes along, but the bond between us remains ever strong”
(Sigh)…
As time passes by, life changes and a lot many new things come into our lives. We meet new people, get involved with new things, our responsibilities increase and as a consequence, we finally end up with no time for things that we left behind.
We don’t even get time for people with whom we were connected before. But then life goes on.
But I firmly believe that if you are soft-hearted, caring, and the kind of person who gets attached to people emotionally then no matter where you are, you will keep caring for every one of those whom you love.
You will think of them and a lot of times you will end up crying (I do it a lot and people around me start to wonder as to what just happened) because you miss your loved ones very much.
I am one such, very emotional person.
It was my Mom who would always make it for us, whenever we visited her.
This time when my brother was about to leave I thought of packing some homemade snacks for him. He stays in a hostel and I thought he could at least enjoy this homemade snack for some time.
And I thought of making Nimki also called namakpara and some thekua(Indian cookies).
I was feeling a little lazy and slightly unwell but then you can say it was that invisible bond of “love” which pushed me to make this recipe myself. That connection was so nicely narrated in “Interstellar”. And I experienced it.
I, immediately called my Mom and asked for the recipe details. I ran to the kitchen and started with the recipe.
30 minutes and I was asking myself if I made it.
I called my hubby to taste it and he just loved it (BTW, I wonder if there is anything that I cooked, that he has ever disliked). He said it tasted just like my mom’s recipe. After all, the inspiration was my mom, and when she inspires we do better than we would expect.
I made one more snack that day and I will be sharing the recipe soon with you all.
At the end of it all, as my brother left for the airport, I felt hugely satisfied; that I was able to do something for my brother.
So here is the Best Recipe for Nimki for you. Give it a try!!!
Also, you might want to check out the Collection of Diwali Sweets Recipes and Diwali Snacks Recipes for Diwali.
Serving Suggestion:
Bihari Nimki can be served on its own as a snack, or you can pair it with chutneys, dips, or sauces to enhance the taste and experience.
Storage Suggestion:
Store the Nimki in an airtight container once they have cooled completely. This will help retain their crispiness for a longer time.
Pro tips for making Recipes for Nimki or Namak Para
Ingredients and Measurements: To make perfect Nimki it is important to follow the recipe closely and measure the ingredients accurately.
Dough Preparation: Knead the dough well to get the right consistency. The dough should be firm and smooth, but not too hard. Let the dough rest for some time to make it more pliable.
Rolling Technique: Roll out the dough evenly, neither too thick nor too thin. A consistent thickness ensures that the Nimki cooks evenly and remains crispy.
Cutting Technique: Use a sharp knife or a pizza cutter to cut the rolled-out dough into desired shapes. Traditionally, Nimki is cut into diamond or square shapes, but you can get creative with shapes if you like.
Frying Temperature: Fry the Nimki on medium heat to keep them crispy and thoroughly cooked inside. Frying on low heat can make them hard, while high heat may brown them too quickly without cooking them inside.
Draining Excess Oil: Once fried, put the Nimki on paper towels or a rack to get rid of extra oil. This keeps them crispy and stops them from getting soggy.
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Basic ingredients used for Bihari Nimki Recipe
All-Purpose Flour: Maida is the main ingredient used for this recipe. Use good quality of maida to get the perfect results.
Nigella Seeds: Nigella seeds/ kalonji is another important ingredient for this recipe. I really love the taste of it, when it is added to this recipe.
Ghee or oil: is important for making Nimki crispy and rich, giving it the texture you want.
Salt: Enhances the overall taste of Nimki and balances the flavors.
Water (for kneading the dough): When you add water to the dough, it makes everything stick together and helps it become smooth. Using the right amount is important to get the dough perfect.
Oil (for frying): Plays a critical role in the cooking process, giving Nimki its crispy exterior. The choice of oil can also influence the overall flavor.
Bihari Nimki Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups All purpose flour Maida
- 1 tsp Nigella Seeds
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/4 cup Ghee/Vegetable Oil
- 3/4 cup Water for kneading, or as needed
- Oil to deep fry
Instructions
- In a bowl add flour, kalonji and salt. Mix well . Now add ghee and mix well. The ghee or oil should be mixed very well with the flour.
- Gradually add water to make a tight yet a pliable dough.
- Cover the dough and rest it for 10-15 min.
- Heat oil in a heavy bottom frying pan.
- While the oil is heating divide into 5-6 dough balls.
- Take each dough ball and roll it with a rolling pin into a slightly thicker roti.
- Cut the flattened dough with a sharp knife or pizza cutter into diamond shape or whichever shape you like.
- Once the oil is hot, reduce the heat to low flame.
- Carefully take the small diamonds and drop one by one into the hot oil (Do not over crowd).
- Fry in batches till evenly brown.
- Once done take out on paper towel to drain oil.
- Let it cool down.
- Store in an air tight container away from moisture, it can stay for up to a month.
- Nimki can be served with Tea and coffee.
Notes
Make sure you fry Nimkis on low to medium heat, if the flame is high the Nimkis will turn brown quickly and will remain raw and soft inside.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions about Nimki Recipe
Can we make Nimki with Whole Wheat Flour?
Yes, you can. You can make them with either or both.
Can we store them?
Yes, you can make them in bulk store them in an airtight container, and enjoy them with tea for a few weeks.
Can I skip using oil or ghee while mixing flour?
Ghee/ oil is used which helps give these Nimkis soft flaky texture. So it’s better to use.
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If you liked this Nimki Recipe and happen to make them in your kitchen, do tag me on Instagram and share pictures with me using #pujatastesofindia.
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