“Daatu Pova Usli (Seasoned Thick Beaten Rice)”… here is a simple breakfast item from GSB Konkani Saraswat Cuisine … while you can serve this for best of taste in combo with bajo, buns, upkari prepared with pulses etc. I must confess it tastes equally good served steaming hot solo too … try it, a simple, healthy, tasty and above all easy to prepare dish …. Yummilicious ..
** All Indians, in any part of the world are well versed with pova (poha/ avalakki/ beaten rice) and have their own method of preparing them that of which their family prefers. Thick/ thin/ medium textured poha/ pova/ avalakki/ beaten rice is available in almost every Indian stores. Again, you will also find poha prepared from both white and red rice. I have shared plenty of pova usli posts before as it is not only easy to prepare but is also my hubby’s favourite breakfast dish. Somehow, I missed sharing this simple pova prepared with thick white poha though I prepare it almost every fortnight.
** The recipe is same as that of thinner textured poha recipe which I have already shared before except for the fact that here the thick poha needs to be rinsed well and kept to rest to make it soft textured. I will not run into writing more on pova/ poha/ beaten rice usli, as I have already written about it before in my posts shared here to which I am sharing a common link at the bottom of this recipe. You may browse through them in leisure for more info and try that which appeals to you. This pova usli recipe is from Saraswat Cuisine, that is, simple, easy to prepare, tasty and above all very healthy one.
** In these times of hectic lifestyle almost all of us need to plan our meals way ahead for a smooth functioning of activities involved in preparations. It is always advisable to store up a little bit of pova as it can be effort saving in case of emergencies. In all, it hardly takes 25-30 minutes to prepare it if you have all the ingredients at home. In my home, we love this simple non-fussy pova usli (poha upma) and I am sure your family will do so too. There are plenty of recipes shared in the Blog, which you can check out on and try as is possible, they are all simple- healthy and will be loved by all.
** Here is my simple recipe for “Daatu Pova Usli (Seasoned Thick Beaten Rice)” … My Style … do try it, tastes awesome …
** Ingredients :
Thick White Povu/ (Jada Poha/ Dappa Avalakki/ Tthick white Beaten Rice) : 250 gms (Approx)
Grounds Nuts/ (kadlo/ Shengdana/ Peanuts : handful
Coconut/ Soyi/ Nariyal : ¼ cup freshly grated.
Urad Dal/ Black Gram Dal : 1 tblsp
Mustard Seeds/ Rai/ Sasam :1 tsp
Green Chilly/ Tarni Mirsanga/ Hari mirchi : 3-4 cut lengthwise
Ginger/ Adrak/ Alle’ : ¼ inch grated
Hing/ Asafoetida Powder : ½ - 1 tsp
Curry Leaves/ Kadipatta/ Karbevu : 10-12 fresh ones
Dry Red Chilly/ Byadgi Mirchi : 1-2 (Optional, I have not added)
Table Salt/ Namak/ Meeta : to taste
Coconut Oil/ Nariyal Tel/ Narlel Tela/ Tengina Yenne : 3 tblsp
** Pick, clean and sieve in a colander thick white povu (jada poha/ dappa avalakki/ thick white beaten rice). Now using the same colander with poha in it, rinse under running water for about 2 minutes taking care to see that all of the poha has been well rinsed and is thoroughly wet (absolute necessary step to be followed).
** Shake and drain water and then keep it aside to rest for about 15-20 minutes, this helps in getting perfectly softened poha for preparing soft textured usli/ upma. Just before tempering, shake the colander lightly and loosen the poha so that it separates well. You can also use a fork to fluff it up a bit and keep it ready aside.
** Note : Please do not soak the poha in water as it may turn out soggy and mushy, losing its texture completely. The little water that remains on the poha/ beaten rice is sufficient for the poha to absorb in and soften (Check picture).
** In a thick bottomed kadai/ pan, add coconut oil, when hot lower the heat to medium and add ground nuts and fry until 80% done. Add mustard seeds, urad dal, green chillies cut lengthwise, hing powder, grated ginger, curry leaves and fry all together until the grounds nuts and urad dal are evenly browned and done.
** Note: Addition of ground nuts is optional and traditional recipe does not include them, you can skip them if desired (individual choice). However, I love adding them sometimes as they are good source of protein and healthy when consumed in limits. They do add on lovely crunch which in my home we love a lot.
** Note : You can use roasted ground nuts too, I always microwave and stock them in my fridge as they fall in handy and is a healthier choice too, as it cuts down on oil consumption. If adding roasted ones then first add mustard seeds- urad dal and when fried add ground nuts, along with other ingredients ... rest method remains same..
** Lower the heat and add half of the pova/ poha kept in colander into the kadai and mix well with the tempering. Now add enough salt to taste, rest of the poha in colander and mix all together until evenly mixed. Sprinkle some water and once again mix well, cover with tight lid and let cook on its own steam for 5-7 minutes while mixing it in between a few times to avoid it being burnt at the bottom of the kadai.
** Open the lid, add the coconut gratings and gently mix all the ingredients well. Once again, cover with the lid and let cook for another 2-3 minutes or until soft and done. Mixing it well in between a few times throughout the process of cooking will help in avoiding it sticking to the bottom of the kadai, so, do watch out. The poha/ pova usli should be thoroughly heated to avoid it turning rancid. If you find that the pova is drying out a lot, then you can sprinkle some water as is necessary and mix well.
** “Daatu Pova Usli (Seasoned Thick Beaten Rice)” is done and ready to be served for breakfast or evening tiffin as is your choice. Be it pova usli or kanda poha, both are excellent choices to be included in your diet routines as even the nutritionists these days have begun to recommend them while our ancestors always insisted on serving it for evening snacks as being a joint family morning breakfast items were usually Idly, dosa, shevai etc. Do try this simple dish and enjoy with your family.The next time your family is hungry or you have unexpected guests, do not reach out for 2 minute noodles or quick home delivery, this pova usli will surprise you by taking up the same time as otherwise of waiting, with added bonus of a healthy dish for all, after all health is wealth.
** I am sharing a common link to all “Pova Usli” recipes shared in the blog before, you may browse through and try them out too …
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks.