Aval Upma / Kanda Poha

This is a quick fix for breakfast when I don’t have idli/ dosa batter stock.  Aval/ Poha is always handy and you can make numerous kids friendly dish with it. My daughter, who is a picky eater,
manages to eat it with curd.

Ingredients:

• Poha  / Aval – 1 cup (Use the thick variety)
• Turmeric powder – ½ tea spoon
• Salt – to taste
• Cooking Oil – 1 table spoon
• Mustard seeds  - ½ tea spoon
• Curry leaves – 1 strand
• Onion – 1 big size
• Green Chilies -2 numbers
• Peanuts – 2 table spoons
• Lemon juice – 1 table spoon

Method :

Rinse the aval in water and clean it. Remove the exc ess water. Now add Salt and Turmeric powder. Mix it gently. Leave aside for 15 mins. It should be softer by now.

Meanwhile finely chop an onion, green chili and wash few curry leaves.

In a kadai, dry roast peanuts till it slightly changes color and keep aside.

In the Same kadai, heat the oil and put the mustard seeds and leave it to splutter.  Add  the curry leaves and fry it for few seconds

Add onion and green chilies and fry it golden. Add the soaked poha and cook in low heat for 3-5 mins with occasional stirring. You can sprinkle some water if you find it too dry. Now add the peanuts and give a stir. Close the kadai with a lead and cook for 2 mins and switch off the stove. Squeeze the lemon and give a stir.

Keep it closed for few mins. Serve it hot with raita or just plain curd.

Tips :
      ·         You can sprinkle some water if you find it too dry while cooking the aval
      ·         Add some colorful veggies to make it healthy and kids friendly