80s & 90s Kids Snack – Roasted Rice, Urad Dal & Black Sesame Mix
This humble yet deeply nostalgic snack is a timeless treasure from Tamil village kitchens. Known as Pori Arisi mix, it combines dry-roasted salted rice, roasted urad dal, and black sesame seeds into a simple, wholesome bite. Long before packaged chips and biscuits found their way into homes, Tamil children grew up munching on these earthy, crunchy treats. It belongs to the same beloved family as mittai, kamarkattu, and elanthai mittai — flavors that instantly transport you back to carefree afternoons in the village.
Tamil families adore this snack because it requires no oil, no elaborate preparation, and no fancy ingredients — yet it delivers so much in taste and nutrition. Grandmothers would prepare large batches of this mix during school holidays or lazy Sunday evenings, and children would gather around eagerly with small bowls in hand. It is especially popular during rural festivals, harvest seasons, and community gatherings where simple, sharing food brings everyone together. Even today, it evokes warmth and togetherness in every Tamil household that remembers its roots.
What makes this recipe truly special is its beautiful simplicity and incredible health benefits. Each ingredient — rice, urad dal, and black sesame — is packed with protein, calcium, and energy, making it a guilt-free snack for both children and adults. The key to getting the best results is roasting each ingredient separately on a low to medium flame until perfectly crisp and aromatic. Store it in an airtight jar and it stays fresh for days, ready to snack on whenever hunger strikes.
🛒 Ingredients
👨🍳 Instructions
Heat a heavy-bottomed pan or kadai on medium-low flame. Add the raw rice to the dry pan with a pinch of salt. Roast it, stirring continuously, for about 4 to 5 minutes until the grains turn slightly golden and crisp. You will hear a light popping sound and a nutty aroma will rise — that is your cue it is done. Remove from the pan and spread on a plate to cool completely.
In the same dry pan, add the urad dal with a pinch of salt. Roast on a low flame, stirring constantly, for 3 to 4 minutes until the dal turns a light golden color and smells toasty and nutty. Be careful not to burn it as urad dal can turn bitter quickly. Remove from the pan and allow it to cool fully on a separate plate.
Next, add the black sesame seeds to the dry pan on low heat. Roast for just 1 to 2 minutes, stirring continuously. Sesame seeds roast very quickly — they will begin to splutter slightly and release a beautiful nutty fragrance. Remove immediately from the heat and transfer to a plate to cool. Do not over-roast as they can turn bitter.
Once all three ingredients — roasted rice, roasted urad dal, and roasted black sesame seeds — have cooled down completely to room temperature, combine them together in a large mixing bowl. Taste and adjust salt if needed. Toss gently so everything is evenly mixed together.
Your 80s & 90s style village snack mix is ready to serve! Enjoy it as is, straight from the bowl, just like the children of those golden decades used to. Store any leftover mix in a clean airtight glass jar or tin container at room temperature. It stays fresh and crunchy for up to one week.
💡 Tips and Tricks
- 💡Always roast each ingredient separately since each one has a different roasting time — combining them together in the pan will result in uneven roasting where some burn while others remain raw.
- 💡Make sure all three roasted ingredients are completely cooled before mixing and storing. Mixing them while warm traps steam inside the jar, which will make the snack lose its crunchiness quickly.
- 💡You can lightly crush the roasted rice using a mortar and pestle or just your palm for a slightly different texture — this is how many village grandmothers served it to tiny children who found whole grains harder to chew.
Nutrition Info
AI Estimated Values per serving
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