Wednesday, March 07, 2007

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.

9 comments:

  1. oh yum... I've never made this myself. Thanks for the recipe, Mika!

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  2. I'm addicted to batata poha, but next time, I will definitely try this delicious tangy version! Thanks for sharing!

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  3. lovely healthy recipe ..Poha looks to have a sweet and spicy taste with tamarind and chillies...Thanxs for sharing
    -Sushma

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  4. Mika, was browsing through your wonderful recipes - this puli aval brought back memories: my mom makes puli aval and vella aval at the same time, she never makes one without the other - and it has stuck - i can't think of making puli aval without its companion these days :)

    i like your style of demystifying recipes and making them easily do-able at home.

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  5. Hi Mika,lovely snack for anytime.YUM!! I used to make it in India.Here you do paper thin Avalakki,which becomes almost like powder.Thanks for tips.

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  6. You have great recipe idea's, I really like this blog! The choccy muffins look lovely :)


    visit jeena's kitchen healthy recipe blog

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  7. I've not had poha in a long time, but am craving it now. Your's looks delicious and so does the choco-ricotta muffins mika.

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  8. Dear Mika, Puli aval looks like a great brunch or dinner dish! This recipe sounds different and interesting. I normally soak it in plain water and the buttermilk idea sounds really good. I also enjoy soaking it in orange juice. Thank you for sharing this recipe with us.

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