Instant Gojju Avalakki / Beaten Rice with Tamarind Sauce / Aval Puliodharai / Attukulu Pulihora

Gojju Avalakki is a popular breakfast dish in Karnataka. It packs health and flavour in big measure. Each family has their own version of the recipe. Mallika makes a weekend favourite breakfast out of this humble beaten rice at her blog Veg bowl. Sailu’s Kitchen makes it with a different technique at her space.
While I make this breakfast dish similarly at our home too, I find the soaking time a deterrent when I need an instant breakfast on somedays. And then, I discovered an instant method of making the same dish minus the soaking and waiting time. Traditional recipes require a soaking time of at least half an hour prior to seasoning and cooking. In this method, I have eliminated the soaking time completely. Who can say no to 30 whole minutes saved in the morning rush hour, or at any time of the day!
Excited, I felt this new method has to be documented for my own reference as well as for all my dear readers. For, what is a discovery if not shared with all, correct? Well, here goes.
Do you know that the humble beaten rice is a powerhouse of health? Poha or beaten rice has 20 times more Iron than white rice, and double its Calcium, besides having higher Potassium and fibre content too. So if you were to substitute a cup of  raw rice with a cup of poha/beaten rice, you have made a very smart choice in increasing the nutrient density of your meal! Not to mention it is an easy substitute for rice too. With near zero cooking time, beaten rice also has a similar taste profile as rice, making the replacement fuss free. Did I mention it is naturally gluten free as well?
Well, what are we waiting for? Ah yes, the recipe. I forgot that I’ve not shared it with you yet. Here it is.

ALLERGY INFORMATION

• Does NOT contain gluten, soya, corn, eggs, lactose.
• Contains peanuts in this recipe. Not suitable for people with nut allergy.

Cooking time – 15 minutes, Preparation time – 15 minutes, Serves – 4-6.
You Need -
Cookware - Mixer grinder, large wok with fitting lid
Ingredients -

1. 3 cups ‘medium thick’ poha/ aval/avalakki/beaten rice
2. 2 tbsp cooking oil
3. 2-3 tbsp raw peanuts
4. 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
5. 1/4 tsp turmeric powder  
6. a pinch asafoetida powder
7. 2 tsp jaggery powder
8. 1/2 tsp salt
9. 1 tsp sambhar powder (MTR or any brand or home made)
10. 2 tbsp MTR Puliotharai Powder ( Puliogare Powder)
11. 1 1/2 to 2 cups fresh water
12. fresh coriander leaves to garnish (optional, though highly recommended)

Method -

1. Powder dry aval/poha in several batches in a mixer grinder. To do this effectively, fill about half cupful of aval in the mixer, pulse for a few times until it resembles coarse rawa.  Remove to a bowl. Repeat until all the aval has been ground in this way. Set aside. Take care so you do not over do it and end up with aval powder. We need some texture to the dish.
2. Heat cooking oil in a large wok. Add peanuts to it and fry until lightly browned. Do not burn the peanuts, keep stirring. When the peanuts are giving out a fried aroma, add mustard seeds, turmeric, asafoetida, jaggery, salt, sambhar powder and puliotharai powder to the oil. Stir over medium heat. Add 1/2 –3/4 cup water and simmer until the mixture is homogenous.
3. Now tip in the powdered aval, mix well. Sprinkle the water all around the wok, stir well, cover and simmer on the lowest heat possible for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, taste the mixture, adjust seasonings if needed. You may sprinkle some more water if the aval does not feel soft enough.
4. Stir in the chopped coriander leaves, cover and switch off flame. Let the contents rest for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, toss and fluff up the aval puliotharai and serve with thick probiotic curd. Serve at breakfast or as an anytime snack.
5. Only aval/poha with medium thickness can be made in this way. Thick aval needs longer soaking time. Do not use thick aval for this recipe.

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