BAJJILE PHOVU OR ROASTED BEATEN RICE

BAJJILE PHOVU OR ROASTED BEATEN RICE 

From the days of our childhood, we are used to having what in India is termed " an evening snack". This is something to munch in the duration between an early lunch and dinner. 

The recipes for some of the snacks that we used to have are elsewhere in this blog, such as :- 

• Moong Dal Usli 
• Congress Kadalekayi
• Masala Charamburo /Spicy Puffed Rice

I guess the concept of making an evening snack is not very popular these days. Probably, people prefer store bought snacks as they are short on time. 

Today's recipe is for what we call " Bajjile Phovu " in my mother tongue, Konkani. This roughly translates to Roasted Beaten Rice in English. The principal ingredient is Beaten Rice of the thin variety. We call Beaten Rice, "Phovu" in Konkani. It is called Poha in Hindi, and Avalakki in Kannada. Another ingredient is Fried Gram which is called Hurigadale in Kannada and Bhuna Channa in Hindi. 

This easy to make snack brings back many memories of my childhood and even now we make this from time to time. 

Ingredients:-

• Beaten Rice/Phovu/ Patla Poha, 6 cups
• Cumin Seeds, 1 tsp
• Turmeric Powder, 1/4 tsp 
• Green Chillies, chopped, 3
• Fried Gram, 1/3 cup
• Oil, 1 tbsp
• Salt, to taste 
• Fresh Coconut Gratings, 1/2 cup 
• Asafoetida, (Hing), 1/4 tsp,  dissolved in water 

Method:-

Heat oil in a thick-bottomed kadhai and on medium heat add the cumin seeds and when they sizzle, add the turmeric powder, salt to taste, chopped green chillies, and fried gram

Saute on medium heat till the fried gram becomes slightly golden in colour

Add the beaten rice and roast, stirring continuously, till the beaten rice gets well blended with the fried gram and spices

Switch off the gas and allow the Bajjile Phovu to cool 

You will notice that the Phovu becomes crisp as it cools

Transfer to serving bowl 

Mix in the asafoetida water (Hinga Udda) with the fresh coconut gratings

When you are serving the Bajjile Phovu,  add the fresh coconut gratings -asafoetida water mixture to individual portions