Puffed Rice Salad

I remember long time ago browsing through the recipes of Nandita´s Saffron trail and one of them immediately caught my attention. I couldn't remember last time I had puffed rice. As a kid, mum used to buy it because it was cheap. She would throw a handful into our breakfast cereals. Me and my sister were not really fond of it, for the rice would get all mushy the second it hit the milk. Bleh... So that must have been the last time, I guess.
Now that I saw puffed rice again, (but this time truly crispy and firm), I just HAD TO give it a try. I must admit that I have never had true Sukha Bhel as she calls it, but I know that I am a total nuttie about her own healthy re-creation. I became so addicted to it that kept making it a week in a row every night for dinner.
Now, it is time to share my own simplified version:

PUFFED RICE SALAD
(Sukha Bhel)

prep time: 15 minutes
serves: 2 people

• 1 tbsp oil
• 1 dried red chili pepper
• 2 cups puffed rice
• pinch turmeric
• 2 cups chopped or shredded vegetables (onion, green peas, carrot, cucumber, kohlrabi, tomato, carrot, boiled potato, raw mango...)
  
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp chat masala
  
• 1 T finely chopped cilantro
  

Prepare all the vegetables and cilantro into a big bowl.
Heat oil in a wok and add the crumbled dried chili. after couple of seconds, add the puffed rice and turmeric. Roast until crispy.

Set off the fire, sprinkle with chat masala and salt and throw into the big veggie bowl. Mix well and show it up!

I cant imagine anything tastier and more addictive right now. I am hoping that Hima of SnackORama will appreciate this health-conscious salad, dinner or snack. This is for your What´s Your Favorite... Diet Food event :-)
Cannot wait for the round-up. It should show the world that healthy food is not just plain rice and frowns :-)