Saturday, February 9, 2019

Poha/Pova Chutney (Spiced Beaten Rice) with Purple Yam Upkari (Bhaji).


“Poha/Pova Chutney (Spiced Beaten Rice) served with Purple Yam (Kand) Godi Upkari (Sweet Bhaji)” … Pova chutney is a delicious snack from Konkani Saraswat Cusine prepared either using red chillies or green chillies along with other spices and coconut … It is mostly served for breakfast with chana upkari … in my home we love it with purple yam godi upkari and its in season now … try this awesome combo … tastes yum … 

** Pova Chutney as called in Konkani by Konkani Saraswats / GSB’s is a dish prepared using thin textured poha/pova/beaten rice/avalakki to which coarsely ground sweet~spicy coconut masala is added and mixed in. This is a dry snack served mostly during breakfast or for tiffin in the evening. This is a common dish served during functions or festivals including in temples as a snack. Pova chutney masala can be prepared either with red chillies or green chillies while grinding along with other ingredients. By and large red chilly are used in preparing pova chutney that is served during festivals and celebrations while the green chillies are usually prepared at homes when we need a quick snack to serve guests who drop in unannounced or for the in between hunger or when children demand for something to eat when they feel hungry during holidays after playing games all through the day. Both are tasty though the red one rules more than the green one and in my home I prepare each one in turns. Pova chutney is served in combination of many dishes as an accompaniment to it. Chane Upkari ie Black Bengal Gram Bhaji is served along with it so is Mooga Usli ie Green Gram Bhaji. In my home many a times we serve it even with sweet potato or purple yam bhaji and it tastes wonderful. I have already shared in the preparation method of purple yam upkari, so will be adding the link to the recipe at the bottom of this recipe. It is a very filling breakfast when served in combo and easy to prepare too.  Do try this out and enjoy the same with your family and friends for breakfast or evening tea.


** Here is my method of preparing “Poha/Pova Chutney (Spiced Beaten Rice)”… My Style … 

** Pick, clean and sieve the thin texture pova / patla pova / beaten rice / avalakki in a wide stainless steel bowl. Keep this ready aside. I have used about 5-6 cups of poha. 

** In a mixer grinder add in one heaped cup of freshly grated coconut (white top part only) along with 2 tblsp of sugar, 1 tsp hing powder, salt to taste and grind to a coarse paste. Do not add in any water. The sugar should get well mixed in, now add in 4-5 green chilies cut into pieces and further grind to a coarse texture. 

** Do not make a smooth paste at this point. Just keep mixing in between and run the grinder, you just need a coarsely ground masala. Do not worry if the green chillies are just coarsely ground, we need it that way with a few pieces left on. In case you have young children in your home who will not want to eat those chillies as they are spicy, in which case, you can grind them to a smoother consistency too. 

** Remove and add the ground masala to the poha in the bowl. Mix in well with the poha tossing them well to evenly get mixed the poha. Do not use kneading movement while mixing the poha or you will break them, we need the poha intact with layering of the masala to it. So, just use light hand movements, tossing them all round up and down and it will get done. 

** For Tempering / Seasoning : Heat 1 tblsp of coconut oil, when hot, lower the heat and add in ½ tsp of urad dal, when they slightly change in colour add in 1 tsp of mustard seeds. When they begin to splutter add in 8-10 fresh curry leaves, fry to a second and then pour it over the poha chutney. Mix well. 

** Note : For many traditional dishes we use coconut oil for seasoning as it imparts a lovely aroma to the dish which we are used to. However, if you do not wish to use coconut oil, you can use any oil of your choice or normally that which you use in your home. But do try with coconut oil, if you have it in your home. 

** “Poha/Pova Chutney (Spiced Beaten Rice)” is done and ready to be served. Poha Chutney is a snack that should be served immediately on mixing for best taste. This snack though can be relished as it is, is usually served with an accompaniment side dish like upma (uppittu), sev (shenvo/chivda) sheera, chana upkari, sweet potato upkari etc. I served it with Purple Yam (Kand) Godi Upkari (Sweet Bhaji) as we love that combo in my home. 

** For the “Purple Yam Upkari” Recipe, Please follow the link given below …. 

** For the “Pova Chutney” Recipe using red chillies, Please follow the link given below …. 

** An Earnest Request : There are many more recipes of different types in the blog. For all my Recipes, use the search option or the label section in the Blog. If you are still not able to find it or have a query, please leave a message in comment section or mail me the same. I will try my best to get back to you as soon as possible. Do try out various types of dishes included in the Blog and Enjoy them with your family and friends and do give me a feedback if possible. 

** I am happy to inform you that I have also started a food group for by the name "KONKANI DELICACIES" which is over and year old, with about 19K strong members. It is a pleasure to inform that you will find in the group many more recipes posted by our expert members and you too can share some of your own. The link to the group is posted on the left side of the blog page. Do join us in our culinary journey. I strongly believe in Sharing and always endorse that "Sharing Is Caring" … Thank You ….

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