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.

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'U' for Uttapam with Idli batter

Uttapam is traditionally made with tomatoes or an onion-chilli mix; other common ingredient choices are coconut or mixed vegetables. It is a dosa like dish which is made by cooking the ingredeints in the batter.I have used Idli batter and  garnished with toppings like chopped onions, green chillies, tomatoes and little jeera too. Many of us use our leftover Idli batter for preparing them. Nowadays, ready made instant mixes are also available in the market for making Uttapams.They  are good when served in combination with chutneys (my fav ginger pickle) and sambar.

Serves 2 people ( I used 2 cups to make 3-4)
Cooking or Preparation Time 10-15 mins for 3-4 Uttapams

Ingredients :

Idli batter - 3 cups
Onions (1 medium) , Tomatoes( 1 medium), Green Chillies (2), Corainder(1/2 cup)-finely chopped
Cumin/ Jeera seeds - sprinkle on each Uttapam - 1/4 tbsp (optional)
Oil for frying

Method :

1. Heat a non stick pan preferably and pour spoonfuls of batter on it and spread it in a circular motion.
2. Now add the toppings on it and then put oil on the corners.
3. Let it heat for few mins till you notice that it is turning color and remove it from heat.
4. Serve hot with your favorite chutney or sambar.

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Vankaya Pulusu/ Brinjal Tamarind Based Curry - Our Favorite

This curry is a simple version of how to use the Eggplants/Brinjals/Aubergines and is good in combination with plain dal. In Andhra, this recipe is called 'Vankaya Pulusu' which means brinjals in tamarind gravy.

Serves 2-3 people
Cooking and Preparation Time 15-20 mins

Ingredients :

Brinjals/Aubergines/Eggplant - 4-5 medium vertically cut pieces (once cut soak in water with a pinch of salt and keep aside)
Onion finely chopped- 1 medium
Tomato finely chopped- 1 small
Tamarind juice - 1 cup
Coriander chopped - 1/2 cup
Green chillies - 2 slit vertically
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tbsp
Chilli powder - 1/2 tbsp or less
Few curry leaves
Ginger garlic paste - 1/4 tbsp
Oil - 2-3 tbsp
Fenugreek seeds - 1/4 tbsp
Jeera/Cumin seeds - 1/4 tbsp
Salt according to taste

Method :

1. First wash the Brinjals, cut them vertically and then soak them in water with a pinch of salt before starting the other preparation.
2. Heat oil in a pan add fenugreek, cumin seeds, chopped onions, curry leaves and let them fry.
3. Now add turmeric powder, ginger garlic paste, chopped coriander and fry.
4. Then add the brinjal pieces, chopped tomato , salt and cook on medium heat covered till the tomatoes are mushy.
5. When the tomatoes look mushy or soft add the tamarind juice to it and mix well.
6. Add water accordingly if the conistency looks thick.
7. Cook covered on medium heat till the tamarind juice forms a nice thick gravy.
8. Serve hot with plain rice and dal or with rotis.

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Fruits with Custard / Fruits Salad

Recently, my dear friend has asked me to post this recipe so, this is for her. Have a nice long weekend and a Happy Valentine Day  !!

Serves 4-5 people
Preparation time 20-25 mins

Ingredients :

2 % reduced fat milk - Half a gallon
Custard powder - Any store brought- 4-5 tbsp
Sugar - 5-6 tbsp or according to your sweet level
Fruits of your choice - Canned / Fresh ( I used canned)

Method :

1. Take small quantity of milk approx 3-4 tbsp in a cup, add the custard powder and mix well without forming any lumps.
2. Now heat remaining milk in a container by adding sugar and bring it a boil.
3. Simmer the heat , then add the paste or mixture made with custard powder to the milk and keep mixing nicely till it forms a medium to thick level of consistency.
4. Once it attains a nice consistency remove from heat and let it cool.
5. After it is cooled completely add the canned fruits and mix well.
6. Now refrigerate it and serve cold as a dessert.

Note :

• I also used 1 banana and apple(without skin) sliced into small pieces for extra taste :).
• I drained the water syrup from the canned fruits because we like the custard thick. You can add it if you like it that way.

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Angel Nuts from....Oh ! Nuts

Hey everyone ....I have received an email from Sam of Oh ! Nuts offering me sample of nuts and dried fruits I would like to include in my recipes.

Oh ! Nuts offers a wonderful and wide variety of dried fruits, nuts, snack mixes, candy, chocolate, gift baskets and many more :). I was just glued to their site and had a  tough time choosing from their varieties. Finally, I chose dried plums, pineapple rings from dried fruits section and almonds, pistachios from the nuts section.

Within two days of my selection I received the package with the nutties and dried fruits nicely packed in resealable bags. I am a big fan of plums so , the first thing I had was dried plums. They are so nice and just the way I imagined them to be, little tangy :).

We usually buy mixed nuts from Costco and my husband likes to snack them at office in small portions to stay energetic. So, the first thing he tried when he came come was almonds and pistachios.

I thank Sam for sendimg me these amazing nuts and dried fruits.

 

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