Easy Tamarind Aval

                    Tamarind Aval has already been posted by me. But this is an easy version, provided we have a stock of Pulikaichal.

                   If Onion is not used, it is a quick Neivedhium.

Tamarind Aval

Ingredients :

Thick Aval   1 cup
Onion ( optional)  1
Pulikaichal Paste
Oil

Method :

Boil 1/4 cup of water, mix 1 - 1.5 tsp. of Pulikaichal. Mix well. Just wash the Aval, drain the water, add.Stir well and simmer for 2 mins. Switch off.Even if there is little water, it gets absorbed and becomes scattered in 10 mins.

Those who like it to be fresh, can heat oil,add Hing and fresh Curry Leaves. No need of adding Mustard, Split Urad Dhal and Channa Dhal as Pulikaichal has all those things.

Tamarind / Puli Aval

                     My mom in law is an expert in making this Puli Aval. In those days of using the rice from from our own fields, a handful of rice was exchanged for the fresh Greens, Keerai, sold at our door steps.Similarly, Aval was got in return for more measures of Rice.

                    During such days, only very thin Aval was common and that could neither be washed nor soaked because it would become mashy. More water was added to the Aval for cooking instead of soaking.Now we buy only thick Aval from the stores.

                   If Onion is not used, it is an easy and fast Neivedhium.

                 This Aval Puliodharai has the typical Puliodharai taste, if cooked in a similar way.

Tamarind Aval

Ingredients :

Thick Aval   1 cup
Tamarind   1 small piece
Salt, Turmeric Powder
Onion ( optional ) 1
Green / Red Chilly  2
Grated coconut( optional )  1 - 2 tbsp.
Ginger    1 small piece.
Roasted Groundnut or Salted Cashew.

For tempering :

Oil  1 tbsp.
Channa Dhal   2 tsp.
Mustard, Split Urad Dhal ,Hing,  Curry leaves

Method :

1. Soak the Tamarind in warm water and take 1/4 cup of extract.

2. Heat oil, add the tempering ingredients.After the Mustard splutters, add the finely sliced Onion, Ginger and the Green Chilly. If red Chilly is used, it can be broken and added while tempering.Add salt and Turmeric Powder. Saute well.


3. In the mean time just rinse the Aval. Do not soak as Tamarind water has to be added.Add the Tamarind water to the sauteed Onion and let it boil.


4.When it starts boiling, add the soaked Aval and stir well on a medium flame.The Aval absorbs the water in 2 minutes.Mix the grated coconut and off the stove. If little water is left, do not worry. It definitely gets absorbed in 10 mins. after switching off.Garnish with the nuts of your choice.

The tasty Tamarind Aval is ready.

Note :

If prepared not as a Neivedhium and for those who like the Onion flavour, sliced Big Onion or small onion can be added after tempering. Saute, add water and Aval.

Onion enhances the flavour and taste.

Sweet Aval

                         Sweet Aval is an easy to make sweet dish and a good Neivedhium to be offered to God on any festival.

Sweet Aval

Ingredients :

Thick Aval    1 cup
Powdered Jaggery      3/4 cup.
Grated coconut    2 tbsp.
Cashew,  Ghee,  Cardamom Powder


Method :

1. Add minimum water just for the Jaggery to dissolve. Heat on the stove and stir till the it dissolves.Filter for impurities.Let the syrup boil for 2 -3 mins.There is no need to worry about the consistency as the Aval can absorb it.


2. Rinse the Aval and soak for 1 minute. Drain the water completely and add the Aval and the coconut to the Jaggery syrup and mix well. Keep mixing on a low flame for 2 or 3 minutes till the Aval  absorbs the syrup.

3. Add the Cardamom Powder and the Cashews, roasted in Ghee. Mix well. The tasty sweet Aval is ready.

Wheat Flour Puttu

               The recipe of this Sweet Puttu, I came to know from an Iyengar priest of the Perumal Koil in our neighbourhood, once being distributed as a Prasadam.

             This Sweet Puttu can be made in 5 mins. to be offered to God as a perfect Neivedhium with the minimum,basic ingredients at home.

Wheat Flour Puttu

Ingredients :

Wheat Flour    1/2 cup.
Finely powdered Jaggery /Vellam   1/2 cup
Ghee  2 -  4 tsp.
Cashew, Cardamom Powder, Dry Ginger ( Chukku ) Powder

Method :

1. Heat 2 tsp. of Ghee in a thick bottomed Kadai,add the Cashew and then the
    Wheat Flour and the Jaggery.

2. Stir constantly for 2 mins. till the flour and the jaggery blend togther.Add the
    Cardamom and Chukku Powders.Mix well by adding the remaining Ghee.
    The tasty, simple and fast to be made, offering to the Swamy is ready.