Naivedyam : Sakre Povu (Poha)/ Sakkare (Sihi) Avalakki/ Sugar Sweetened Beaten Rice.

"Naivedyam : Sakre Povu (Poha)/ Sakkare (Sihi) Avalakki/ Sugar Sweetened Beaten Rice" ... there is nothing more dearer to Sri. Krishna than poha and we all love to prepare it as an offering of Naivedyam at his lotus feet on any given occasion ... for a change I prepared sweetened poha with sugar instead of jaggery using brown rice poha and it tasted awesome ... this is a delicious sweetened poha that can be prepared during any auspicious occasions ... Jai Sri. Krishna ....

** Sakre Povu (Poha)/ Sakkare Avalakki/ Sugar Sweetened Beaten Rice is a simple to prepare Naivedyam. For a change, today I prepared this sweetened poha with brown rice poha easily available in stores. Red/ Brown poha is thick in texture and made of brown rice and is much healthier than the normal white rice poha which is believed to have bleached. Poha is nothing but rice that has been parboiled, rolled, flattened and then sun-dried or machine evaporated to produce flakes. The flakes come in different thicknesses depending on the quality of the rice used. Thinner variety is often used in preparation of godu povu/ gud poha/ sweet beaten rice with jaggery based churnu/ churan. 

** There are many preparations and recipes for Poha, or flattened rice. Both sweet and spicy dishes are prepared with poha. Sweet poha is prepared by and large by all Indians and offered as Naivedyam to God. It is also cooked with lightly frying mustard seeds, turmeric, chili powder, finely chopped onions and then moistened poha is added to the spicy mix and steamed for a few minutes. Poha is normally eaten for breakfast by adding some spices, veggies etc. A healthy meal by itself poha is a dish that fills the stomach with all types of nutrients and proteins with minerals if prepared in the correct manner by addition of vegetable like, peas and carrot along with onions and spices.

** In Hinduism it is believed that poha/ pova/ beaten rice was a favorite dish of Sri. Krishna the 8th incarnation of Sri Vishnu. The incident in vedas implies that Sudhama a dear childhood friend of Sri. Krishna wanted to meet him, but due to poverty he could not afford expensive gift to be taken as offering. However, his wife knew remembered that Sri. Krishna loved poha, so she packed some and sent it with her husband. Sri Krishna was over whelmed with joy on meeting his friend and receiving his favorite poha. Here we should understand that Sri. Krishna is trying to tell us that in the eyes of God all are equal and the thought and love behind the gift is more important than it cost. 

** This is a lovely story from Sri. Krishna's life, the incarnation that was taken by Sri. Vishnu for the benefit of people, to spread awareness, the pros and cons of good deeds etc. I will definitely write a little bit in detail the store of Sri. Krishna and Sudama in my own adaption in this Blog, though it is already available in net written by many in their own conclusions. These are small short stories I love to write and I have shared plenty of them under my label/ hashtag #GPThoughts_N_Notes. Do browse through if you would like reading stories/ incidents/ thoughts etc. Let me now move on to this simple Sakre Povu/ Poha recipe, do try it and enjoy with your family and friends. 

** Here is my recipe for "Sakre Povu (Poha)/ Sakkare (Sihi) Avalakki/ Sugar Sweetened Beaten Rice" ... my style ... 

** Roast 250 gms of red/ brown poha (povu/ avalakki/ beaten rice) on low to medium heat in a thick bottomed kadai/ pan for 5-10 minutes. The poha should turn just crisp and not be burnt, so be careful. You can also use microwave method for roasting the poha for 3-4 minutes too. Remove and keep it aside ready.

** In a thick bottomed kadai/ pan add ¼ cup of ghee/ toop and keep it on high heat. When the ghee melts, add in ½ a cup of cashew nut pieces (kajjubi/ kaaju) and fry till light brown in colour. Remove and keep them aside for garnishing.

** Add in one cup of sugar (shakkara/ sakkara) with 1.5 cup of water in the same kadai in which the ghee is still remaining after cashews are fried. Bring it to a boil on high heat. Make it into a syrup of 1 thread consistency. It will take about 2-3 minutes after it comes to full boil, be careful here as it should not become thicker.

** Lower the heat to minimum and add in one cup of fresh and finely grated white part of the coconut (nariyal/ soyi) and mix well. Stir for 3-4 minutes or till it thickens a little bit. Add in the fried cashew nut pieces and mix well.

** Now add in the roasted poha, 1 tsp of cardamom (ellaichi/ yellu) powder, ¼ tsp of dry ginger (shunti) powder, a large pinch of saffron (kesar/ keshar) and small pinch of salt (namak/ meeta) mix well. Remove and allow to cool completely mixing in between to release any hot air within so that they get to room temperature easily without rolling it thick mass or you can spread it on a large sized tray. 

** Note : Addition of salt is optional/ individual choice, however, a small pinch, just a few grains added on actually enhances the taste of sweets. 

** "Sakre Povu (Poha)/ Sakkare (Sihi) Avalakki/ Sugar Sweetened Beaten Rice" is done and ready to be offered as a Naivedyam to God and thereby distributed among all your family members and friends. This is a simple sweet dish that is usually prepared as an offering during auspicious days, however, if desired you can always prepare it on regular days too. Children love to eat sweet dishes, so always make it a habit of giving them homemade dishes instead of store bought sweets. Its definitely a good way of extending healthy habits for coming generations.

** There are plenty of sweet dishes/ naivedyams and other dishes already shared in the Blog, please browse through and try them in liesure. Thank You ...