Paruppu-Aval Usili

One of the healthiest tiffin recipes that can be made in under 30 mins. Flattened Rice/Poha/Aval has got a lot of health benefits such as iron, vitamins and fibres. Chana Dal helps in lowering the bad cholesterol level, reducing sugar levels and is rich in proteins, fibre, calcium, and folates. Its aids in weight loss. Paruppu-Aval Usili is a quick and easier tiffin recipe and is a diabetic-friendly recipe. This recipe has different flavours such as tangy, sweet and salt.

Planning & Pre-Preparation: 10 mins

Soaking Time: 20 mins

Cooking time: 25-30 mins.

Ingredients

Ingredients 1:

• Tamarind - small lemon sized

• Warm water - 1/4 Cup

• Turmeric powder - 1/2 Tsp

• Jaggery (powdered) - 1 Tsp.

• Salt - Per taste

• Asafoetida/Kayam/Hing - 1/2 Tsp.

• Chilli Powder - 1 Tsp.

• Fenugreek/Vendhayam/Methi Powder - 1/2 Tsp.

• Flattened Rice/Poha/Aval (Thin) - 2 Cups

Ingredients 2:

• Chana Dal - 1 Cup

• Butter - 1 Tbsp.

• Water for boiling

Ingredients 3:

• Oil - 2 Tsp.

• Mustard - 1 Tsp.

• Urad Dal (Split) - 1 Tsp.

• Red Chillies – 2

• Curry Leaves

• Coconut (grated) - 1/4 Cup

Directions

Preparing Tamarind-Flattened Rice/Poha/Aval mixture:

• Soak a small lemon sized tamarind in warm water for about 15 mins.

• After 15 mins, Squeeze the tamarind and strain the extract using the strainer.

• Add Turmeric powder, powdered Jaggery, Salt, Asafoetida/Kayam/Hing, Chilli Powder and Fenugreek/Vendhayam/Methi powder to the Tamarind extract. Mix well without forming any lumps and keep it aside.

• To a mixer grinder add Flattened Rice/Poha/Aval and grind to a coarse powder.

• Now add the ground powder to the Tamarind mixture and mix well. Tamarind-Flattened Rice/Poha/Aval mixture is ready. 

• Once mixed, keep it aside for 10 mins.

Chana Dal Preparation:

• Soak Chana Dal in water for about 20 mins.

• To a Kadai, add butter and then add soaked Chana Dal. Mix well and slightly roast the dal to enhance its flavour. 

• Now add water and bring it to boil on medium flame.  

• Once boiled check whether the dal is completely cooked, if not cook for a few more minutes.

Paruppu-Aval Usili preparation:

• To the Kadai add Oil, Mustard, and Urad Dal (Split). Let it splutter.

• Now add Red Chillies, Curry Leaves, and grated coconut. Saute well for about half a minute.

• Then start adding the Tamarind-Flattened Rice/Poha/Aval mixture and mix it thoroughly.

• Keep mixing on low flame for a minute. If required, you can also add a tsp of oil to avoid the burning of the mixture.

• After a minute add cooked chana dal. Combine the dal and Tamarind-Flattened Rice/Poha/Aval mixture well.

• Cover and cook on low flame for about 2-3 minutes. After 3 minutes, check whether it is cooked. If not keep cooking for few more minutes.

• Healthy Paruppu-Aval Usili is ready.

Points to be noted

• You can also use thick Flattened Rice/Poha/Aval instead of thin Flattened Rice/Poha/Aval. Cooking time may slightly vary if you use thick variety.

• You can also pressure cook the dal and DO NOT MASH THE DAL. When dal gets cooked, let it cool before adding it to the Tamarind-Flattened Rice/Poha/Aval.