Alu Poha / Atukula Pulihora / Atukula Upma

Flattened rice (also called beaten rice) is a dehusked rice which is flattened into flat light dry flakes. These flakes of rice swell when added to liquid, whether hot or cold, as they absorb water, milk or any other liquids. The thicknesses of these flakes vary between almost translucently thin (the more expensive varieties) to nearly four times thicker than a normal rice grain.

Flattened Rice has different names in differect languages like 'Atukulu' in Telugu, 'Poha' in Hindi, 'Aval' in Tamil and many more.

One can make a simple meal out of it within minutes and it will be a nice delicious recipe too. I used some potatoes and combined it with Poha so the name 'Alu Poha'.

Serves - 2
Cooking and Preparation Time - 15-20 mins

Ingredients :

Thin Poha/ Atukulu - 3 cups approx
Potato - 1 large or medium diced into cubes and microwave in a cup of water for 2-3 mins
Onion - 1 medium finely chopped
Carrots - 1/2 cup grated
Coriander - 1/2 cup chopped
Few curry leaves
Chana Dal - 1/2 tbsp
Mustard Seeds - 1/4 tbsp
Peanuts/ Groundnuts - 1/2 a handful or more if you like
Water - 1 cups or more enough to cook the Poha
Oil - 3 tbsp
Lemon juice - 1 tbsp

Method :

1. Heat oil in a non stick pan, add peanuts, chana dal, cumin seeds, mustard seeds and fry till they crackle.
2. Once they start to crackle, add chopped onions, grated carrots, turmeric powder, curry leaves, chopped coriander and fry till the onions become translucent.
3. Then add chilli powder, salt and mix.
4. Now lower the heat and add the poha with the diced potatoes which were slightly boiled in microwave and mix well.
5. Add the water enough to cook the poha, mix well and cook it covered on low to medium heat till all the water gets absorbed and the poha looks thick and cooked.
6. Add lemon juice, garnish with chopped coriander and serve hot.