Aval Upuma

Ingredients

• 🧂Saltto taste
  
• 🧅Onion1, finely chopped
  
• 🫙Ginger1 tbsp, minced
  
• 🌶️Green Chili2, slit
  
• 🌶️Turmeric Powder1/4 tsp
  
• 🫙Vegetable Oil2 tbsp
  
• 🌶️Mustard Seeds1 tsp
  
• 🌿Curry Leaves2 sprigs
  
• 🍋Lemon1
  
• 🥥Grated Coconut1 cup
  
• 🌾Flattened Rice (Poha)2 cups, thick variety
  

Optional extras

• 🌿Fresh Cilantro2 tbsp, chopped
  

Instructions

1. 1

   Toast the flattened rice (poha) in a dry pan until it smells like toast — this is what keeps the final dish fluffy, not gluey.

2. 2

   Heat oil and crackle mustard seeds till they pop like popcorn, then add curry leaves — stand back — and the green chilies.

3. 3

   Cook the onions with a pinch of salt till sweet and glassy, then add ginger and the spices.

4. 4

   Add the grated coconut, saute a minute, then fold in the prepared flattened rice (poha) with salt and a splash of water.

5. 5

   Steam briefly covered, then cut through the mixture and fluff; squeeze lemon over and shower with cilantro and coconut.