Puli Aval

I am not a big fan of batata poha. It never tastes good when I make it and I have never had a good version of it. I am prejudiced towards Puli aval, an adaptation of poha made, Kannadiga style. It is just an easier version of tamarind rice and is a great brunch item or light supper dish.

Puli aval

2 cups thick poha
1-2 tsp any spice mix you have (I use sambar powder or rasam powder)
1.5 tsp tamarind paste
handful of peanuts
3-4 red chilis broken
1 tsp chana dal
1 tsp urad dal
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
few curry leaves
1 tsp sugar or powdered jaggery
salt to taste
water as needed
hing, a pinch

Take about 2 cups of water or buttermilk. Add the salt, spice mix , sugar and tamarind paste. Mix well. Add poha and soak for a 2-3 minutes. This depends on quality of poha. Thick poha in India can take soaking for 10 min or more. But in US it gets soft in 2 minutes...
If poha is not submerged fully, add a bit more liquid.

Pour contents into a strainer while you prepare tadka. Heat little oil. Add the peanuts and toast them a little. Next add the dals, chilis and mustard seeds and let mustard splutter. Add curry leaves and hing. Next add all the poha and saute till dry like upma.

Serve hot.