Gojju Avalakki/ Huli Avalakki/ Tangy Poha

By Pavani @napavani
Blogging Marathon# 40: Week 3/ Day 2
Theme: Unused BM# 39 posts
Dish: Gojju Avalakki
I was very confident that I had this week covered and wasn't even worried about it until a few days ago. I thought I had lot of posts in the drafts but I didn't realize that I used most of them up for CCChallenge (this and this in particular). So I looked through the papers where I jotted down my list of states and dishes to make for BM# 39.
My husband studied in Davangere, Karnataka and he always mentions the different dishes that Kannadigas make with poha and murmure. I wanted to try a different poha dish from Karnataka, but thought that would be too simple and also I had planned made Indori Poha for Madhya Pradesh, finally ended up making Pathir Pheni for Karnataka. 
So for today, I made a tangy, spicy and sweet gojju avalakki or huli avalakki. I loved how easy it is to make and how much flavor is packed in it. It was so delicious that even my toddler loved it. The best thing is the leftover tastes even better when served warm.
Recipe adapted from Sailu's blog:
Ingredients:
Poha/ Flattened Rice - 1cup
Tamarind paste - 1tbsp
Jaggery - 2tsp
Sambar powder - 1tsp, home made or store bought
Sesame seeds - 1tbsp
Grated coconut - 1tbsp, fresh or frozen
Turmeric - a pinch
Cilantro - 2tbsp, finely chopped
Salt - to taste
For Tempering:
Mustard seeds - 1tsp
Urad dal - 1tsp
Curry leaves - 8~10
Asafoetida/ Hing - a pinch
Roasted peanuts - 2tbsp
Method:
  • Combine the tamarind paste, jaggery, salt and sambar powder in a bowl. Mix well until jaggery is completely dissolved.
  • Grind the poha into a coarse sooji/ semolina like texture. Take poha in a strainer or colander and wash under running water. Place the washed poha in a bowl. Poha should still be a little wet and not completely dry. 
  • Add the poha to the tamarind mixture and mix well to coat everything evenly. Cover and set aside for 15~20 minutes.
  • In the meantime roast the sesame seeds until lightly browned. Cool and grind to a powder. Set aside.
  • Heat 1tbsp oil in a pan; add urad dal and mustard seeds and once the seeds start to splutter, add the curry leaves, hing and peanuts; cook for 1 minute.
  • Next add the poha and turmeric mix well, cover and cook for 4~5 minutes. Add the sesame seed powder and adjust the salt and jaggery. Mix well and turn off the heat. 
  • Add grated coconut and cilantro; serve immediately.
I served the gojju avalakki with curd poha/ mosaravalakki.
Lets check out what my fellow marathoners have cooked today for BM# 40.
Also linking it to this week's Fabulous Feast# 15 being hosted by Usha and me.