Mukhwas: India's Spicy Little After-meal Secret
I'm addicted to having a small sweet after eating (usually a single dark chocolate hershey kiss) just to cleanse the palate and finish the meal with a nice coda. Being that the Samosa Chaat at Dimple was extremely tasty and spicy (did I mention I loved it?), I was looking for mint or something while we were checking out.
I saw Sweta reach up to a little bowl, take a spoonful of something and put in her hand, and then pop it in her mouth. After a slightly comical moment of me sniffing and inspecting, I popped a small palmful into my mouth as well.
There's almost no explaining how great this little snack, which I've just learned is called a mukhwas (which means mixture), is. Although mukhwas vary considerably, the two that I've had so far generally contain some combination of spices including fennel, small nuts and or seeds, and tiny bits of rock-sugar or candies to sweeten the mix.
The net effect is something like a natural good n' plenty that doesn't gum up your teeth had has nearly endless flavor, and the texture of sunflower seeds. It's no surprise that mukhwas are a staple at Indian weddings and special events! I'd want this at the end of every meal if I could get it.
Knowing that I'm enthralled with them, Sweta just dropped off a bunch of little "shots" of the fantastic stuff left over from her sister's baby shower.
I'm a seriously happy camper today.
