Aval Unda | Poha Laddu ~ Step by Step Pics

Aval(beaten rice) is nothing but rice that is parboiled rolled, flattened and dried to produce rice flakes. Poha is rolled in big rollers which retain the iron from these rollers. So poha is known to be rich in iron and carbohydrate. I frequently make aval nanachathu (with jaggery and coconut) but these days my kids have started rejecting this as they got bored of this. I love aval vilayichathu especially my mom made and it was one of my favorite to carry to hostel on my return back from home, all my friends loved too. However, aval vilayichathu is also a big 'no' to my kids now as they were frequently fed the same whenever my mom visited us or whenever we dropped home.

So now the question was how to feed my kids aval (poha) without much fuss. The mom in me woke and my hunt for aval recipes was on. Maharashtra's famous kande pohe was made a few times and was liked too but as a snack only not breakfast though. Then it was aval vada but it has its own limitations as it was fried in oil. Finally these cute little balls took over which were easy to make, guilt free and healthy. This was loved by all here and have made a few times now at home. The ingredient list is quite simple and is made of jaggery, dates and aval as the main ingredient. Hardly takes any time to combine together and roll them in  the shape of balls. Tastes somewhat like aval vilayichathu but more crunchier. The aval is roasted and powdered to shape in the form of balls. The powdering depends on your taste buds, I love coarsely powdered and so went ahead and did that. But if you love smooth powder, then go ahead and blend more to get smoother powder. The smoother powder is easier to shape in balls than the coarse powdered aval. Do give this a try and enjoy with tea.

Preparation time ~ 10 minutes

Cooking time ~ 15 minutes

Serves ~ 14-16 unda /laddus

Author ~ Julie

Ingredients 

poha / aval / beaten rice 1.5 cups

grated coconut 3/4 cup

jaggery / sharkara 1/2 cup grated 

dates 6-7

cashews 5-6 or 2 tbsp

cardamom powder/ elakka podi 1/2 tsp

ghee / neyyu 1 tbsp 

Method

• Heat a pan and add the poha/ aval/ beaten rice, fry one low flame for 3-4 minutes until it’s crispy.
• Remove on a plate and then add grated coconut in the same pan and fry till it’s lightly browned, moisture is evaporated.
• Transfer the fried aval / poha / beaten rice to a blender jar and pulse thrice. I love biting tiny bits in the unda / laddus so just coarsely powdered, but if you wish to powder smooth then go ahead and powder. In that case it will look and taste similar to ari unda or and the powder will be same as rice flour.

• Then if you are using grated coconut then pulse that too once or twice in the blender jar. I have used half of grated coconut and half of desiccated coconut.
• Heat a pan and add ghee. Add chopped cashews and fry. Switch off flame and add this ghee mixed cashews.

• Then finally add dates chopped, cardamom powder. 
• In a pan, add grated jaggery and add half cup water, melt the jaggery. Strain the impurities once it is melted and return back on flame (it was 1 cup). Let the syrup boil few more minutes till you get a one string consistency.
•  As you get the one string consistency, dump the prepared aval(beaten rice), coconut mixture along with cardamom powder, dates and cashews. Mix well and switch off flame.

• Wait till its easy to handle and you should be quick to make balls like ari unda else the jaggery mixture may go cold and you may not be able to make balls. Apple a little ghee initially in your palm to shape in balls if the mixture is sticky. Leave to cool completely before serving otherwise the balls may be very soft to chew. Once cooled its soft but crunchy. Serve with tea.

RELATED POSTS WITH BEATEN RICE (AVAL)-

* Aval Vilayichathu

* Kande Pohe

* Poha Chivda

* Aval Pradhaman

NOTES
* You can fully powder the aval or beaten rice once fried but that way it tastes more like rice flour and that crunch effect is missing. You can alter as family needs.

* You can use both white or red aval /beaten rice. I have used red aval as its more healthier.