Aval is also called Poha in North India, Flattened rice, Atukulu in Telugu. Poha is made with a spicy taste in North India. Aval nanachatha itself means wetting or dampen the flakes. Therefore you need to lightly sprinkle water/ coconut water to make it absorb the taste of jaggery and fresh coconut.

In some parts of kerala, milk is used to prepare aval nanachatha, I love the taste of black coffee in aval nanachatha.

Ingredients for Aval Nanachatha- Sweet Poha with coconut

• Flattened rice/ Aval/ Poha: 3 cups
• Fresh coconut : 1 cup ( grated)
• Jaggery: 1 cup ( grated)
• Black coffee / Coconut water: 1 cup ( at room temp)
• Elaichi / Cardamom: 2 nos ( powdered)

Procedure for preparing Aval Nanachatha- Sweet Poha with coconut:

Method:

• Sift the flattened rice to remove any small powdered particles.
• In a wide vessel add flattened rice, grated coconut, grated jaggery, powdered cardamom and mix well.
• Sprinkle water / coconut  water or black coffee (kattan kapi) and mix the ingredients. The mix should not become soggy, it should remain as sweetened flakes.
• Mix and serve. People do serve this with small banana.Prepare this instantly and serve .The longer you retain it will become soggy and the crispness of atuluku will go away.
• If you are using the kerala poha i.e thick and red variety you will have to sprinkle lukewarm water / black coffee / milk.

My mom used to chop banana as slices and serve aval nanachatha when we were kids. Now I follow that practice for my kids.

The combination of fresh coconut and grated jaggery is loved by kids and elders and usually my kids will grab from the plate immediately after they get to know something new is being prepared in the kitchen. They will make multiple rounds to see the progress. Their senses for smell is perfect (as Madhuri Dixit says in Jhalak Dikla jaa-TV prog) and they will come sniffing from their respective study rooms more so, if they are studying.  I repeat this because you will not get them during play time or TV time.

You can try this recipe with sugar too if jaggery is not available. This is an easily digestible, healthy snack and can be made in no time. Give a try for evening snacks today.

I’m planning to prepare aval vilayichatha some time shortly. There are plenty of recipes with aval : Atukulu laddoo, Fried Atukulu and so on.

In winters you can have it with hot chukka kapi and brighten your mood.

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The back ground was that I reached home tired after work and was in no mood to cook dinner. I was relaxing after a cup of tea and my hubby comes in with a big bag of kerala store items. As we are away from Kerala, he longs for Friday -basic reason to collect the fresh stock of ethakka (kerala banana) ,kappa (tapioca), Chena (elephant foot), Kaachil (Purple Yam), Kochu ulli (Shallots), Kanthari Mulakka (bird’s eye chilies),Coconuts, masala powders , etc..

The visual image of Kappa Puzhungiyathu with green chilli chutney combination was so tempting that I finalized on the menu for dinner. This is a quick dish and relished too bringing in nostalgic memories back home. Though my younger son was fussy over the change in menu (pulka regularly), he was willing to adjust with fish curry.

Therefore started to prepare the menu finalized for dinner: Kappa Puzhungiyathu along with Kanthari  Mulaku Chammanthi.

Ingredients for Kappa Puzhungiyathu – Boiled Tapioca- Yuca- Cassava

• Kappa-Tapioca- Yuca- Cassava : 2 large roots
• Water: as required to cook
• Salt: as per taste

Procedure for preparing Kappa Puzhungiyathu – Boiled Tapioca:

Method:

• Cut the kappa-tapioca into 4 cm length slices.Peel the skin , it will come off as a thick layer.
• Slice these round pieces lengthwise into 2 or 4 pieces to allow easy cooking.
• Transfer the cut pieces into a large shallow pan containing water. Wash the immersed kappa thoroughly to remove any impurities and sand particles.
• Pour water till the level of chopped kappa-tapioca and cover the vessel with a lid. Allow this to boil. After 4 to 5 minutes of boiling, drain the water completely. This step is essential to remove the katta or starch.
• Now pour the same amount of fresh water and allow the kappa-tapioca to boil. Add salt as required and cook for 10 to 12 minutes until it turns soft and tender.
• Put off the flame. Drain the water completely and keep aside.
• Serve it steaming hot with kanthari Mulaku Chammanthi/ Chicken curry with lots of gravy, Fish curry-Kerala style.

Ingredients for Kanthari Mulaku Chammanthi-Bird’s Eye Chiili Chutney

• Kanthari Mulaku / Bird’s eye chilli: 20 nos (optional green chilli-4 nos)
• Shallots/Pearl Onion/Kochulli: 12 nos
• Tamarind extract: soak lime sized tamarind and extract thick pulp
• Salt: as per taste
• Coconut oil: 3 tspn
• Curry leaves-shred 4 to 5 leaves

Procedure for preparing Kanthari Mulaku Chammanthi- Green chilli dip:

Method:

• In a mixer ,pulse kanthari Mulaka/ green chilli, shallots, curry leaves 2 or 3 times. You can also use the arakalla- motor and pestle – ideal for taste.
• Green chilli is an option for kanthari Mulaka, like wise use onion for shallots.
• Transfer the mixture into a serving bowl. Add salt ,tamarind extract and coconut oil and mix well.
• Ready to serve with steaming kappa puzhingiyatha.

This is a quick fix menu and can be prepared with ease. You can prepare the green chilli dip when the kappa is boiling. Maximum time will be 25 to 30 minutes for preparing this menu.

Chicken curry with gravy, Fish curry are great combinations. An ideal recipe for breakfast, evening snacks and dinner too.
We enjoyed this sumptuous dinner. Go ahead and give it a try…

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