PHOVA USLI

 PHOVA USLI 

We make use of Beaten Rice ( Poha in Hindi, Avalakki in Kannada and Phovu in my mother tongue, Konkani ) in different forms in my kitchen. Elsewhere in this blog, you will find recipes for dishes made with Beaten Rice such as:- 

• Poha Chivda the healthy microwaved version
• Poha Dosa
• Gojjavalakki
• Godu (Sweet) Phovu 

This is an age old Konkani dish served for breakfast or as an evening snack. It is easy to make and delicious too. Most of us remember this from our childhood as in the old days it was a regular item on our breakfast tables. Nowadays, the simple Phova Usli has taken a back seat with Kanda Poha, Batata Poha etc becoming more popular over time. 

However, old habits die hard and we still love this simple Phova Usli! It comes in handy on days when we avoid onion and garlic in our cooking! 

Ingredients:- 

• Phovu, (Beaten Rice), thick variety , 3 and 1/2 cups
• Sugar, 2 tsp or to taste 
• Salt, to taste 
• Mustard Seeds , 1 tsp
• Urad Dal,  (Black Gram ), 2 tsp
• Green Chillies, slit, 4-5
• Curry Leaves, 1 sprig 
• Coconut Gratings, 1/4 cup 
• Hing (Asafoetida),  1/4 tsp
• Coconut Oil, 1 and 1/2 tbsp

Method:-

Wash the poha in a colander a few times and then drain the water leaving the poha moist but not soggy

Once all the water gets drained, add salt and sugar, mix well with the poha. Keep aside. 

Heat oil in a thick-bottomed kadhai and on medium heat add the mustard seeds

When they splutter add the urad dal and saute till it turns golden

Next add the slit green chillies and curry leaves and sauté 

To this add the washed poha (to which salt and sugar has already been added)

Mix well till it gets well blended with the seasoning

Cover and cook on low flame till the poha gets cooked 

Finally mix in the coconut gratings and asafoetida powder or asafoetida dissolved in water ( Hinga Udda)  Mix well once again

Switch off the gas and transfer the Phova Usli to a serving bowl