Krithi's Kitchen: Aval Upma / Poha Upma

Aval aka Poha is a rice flattened to light dry flakes. Aval upma is a very light, low calorie snack perfect for breakfast/dinner. The most common and known variety is Kanda poha though many varieties are still popular, like lemon flavored or tamarind flavored poha. Today's recipe is a simple aval upma flavored with roasted chana dhal and one of my MIL's specialty dishes. Trust me, this is very tasty and you would love it.

Ingredients:

Serves - 2

Flattened Rice/ Beaten rice / Poha - 3 cups (I used the thick variety)

Roasted gram dhal / Pottu kadalai - 1/2 cup

Water - to soak

Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp

Chilli powder - 1/2 tsp

Salt - to taste

Oil - 2 tsp

Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp

Urad dhal - 1/2 tsp
Chana dhal - 1 tsp
Green chillies - 3 or 4 slit

Curry leaves - 4 or 5 chopped
Onion - chopped finely - 1 cup

Cilantro / Coriander leaves - 6 or 7 twigs, chopped

Grated Coconut - 2 tbsp (optional)

Method:

Wash the poha with water, drain. Add turmeric powder, chilli powder, salt (1/2 tsp) and mix well and add enough water to soak it. Set aside for 30 mins to 1 hr. Soaking time may be adjusted according to the type of the poha (thin or thick variety).

Grind the roasted gram dhal to a fine powder. Heat oil in a kadai, add mustard seeds, urad dhal, chana dhal, slit green chillies. We already have added chilli powder to the poha so adjust the green chillies based on your spice level. Now add the finely chopped onions and curry leaves. Saute till the onions turn translucent. Meanwhile add the gram dhal powder to the soaked poha and mix carefully so that the gram dhal is coated all over the poha. Take care not to break. Now add the poha to the kadai and mix well. Add salt according to taste. Reduce the heat to medium and mix until the poha is cooked. Garnish with coriander leaves and coconut(if using). Serve hot with chutney of your choice. I would like to enjoy this as such.