POHA (AVAL) UPMA

Aval Upma is made from flattened rice (beaten rice - poha) and has all the goodness of rice. It is a delicious breakfast and/or snack and is very easy to prepare. It is a common breakfast mainly in South India and is ideal for kids' lunch boxes. 

POHA UPMA

Ingredients: 

• Aval (poha) 2 cups 
• Onion 1 no. 
• Ginger 1 small piece
• Tomato 1 no.
• Potato 1 no. 
• Carrot 1 small 
• Green peas 1 tsp
• Green chillies 2-3 no.s 
• Mustard seeds 1/2 tsp
• Cumin seeds 1/4 tsp
• Urad daal 1 tsp
• Chana daal 1 tsp
• Asafoetida (hing) 1 small pinch
• Turmeric powder 1/4 tsp
• Curry leaves 2 springs 
• Coriander leaves a bunch 
• Lemon juice 1/2 tsp 
• Oil, salt, water

Directions: 

1. Wash Aval a couple of times and strain to remove excess water. Here I have used thick white rice flakes.
2. In a pan, roast the peanuts and keep it aside. Add oil to the pan, splutter mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Add chana dal, urid dal and curry leaves; roast till the lentils are golden brown in colour. 
3. Now add the chopped onion, ginger and green chillies, sauté well. Add the turmeric powder and hing, followed by the chopped potato and carrot pieces, sprinkle salt and little water; cover and cook. Alternatively you can cook the potato & carrot separately first and then add the chopped pieces. When the vegetables are half cooked, add the tomato pieces and green peas. Stir well. Cook till the tomato pieces turn soft. Adding vegetables are optional. 
4. Add the drained poha, salt to taste and stir well so that all ingredients are mixed evenly. When it is cooked, add the roasted peanuts, give a stir and remove from flame. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves, drizzle some lemon juice and serve warm. 

Delicious poha Upma is ready. Serve plain or with chutney & Pickle.