Aval Nanachathu Recipe / Sweetened Beaten Rice Flakes / Sweet Poha.
Rice is a staple and an everyday food that has numerous health benefits. This widely consumed staple food comes in different shapes and sizes. Aval, also known as flattened rice or beaten rice, is available in two types: brown and thick poha, which is made from Matta rice (par-boiled brown rice). Its white counterpart is what I’ve used for this dish, which I prefer for this recipe. You can make Aval Nanachathu using either white or brown aval. I could eat this drooling Aval Nanachathu any time of the day.
Beaten rice, also known as flattened rice or rice flakes, is referred to by various names in different Indian states. Aval Nanachathu is a traditional and healthy evening snack dish popular among Keralites. I remember it being one of our favorite after-school snacks in childhood, thanks to its ease of preparation. The main advantage of this dish is that it requires no cooking; simply mixing all the ingredients is enough!
Today, I’m sharing with you a simple snack called Aval Nanachathu, also known as ‘nalumani palaharam’. ‘Aval’ means beaten rice, and ‘Nanachathu’ in Malayalam means wet. In this recipe, we make it wet with milk or water, adding jaggery and grated coconut. The coconut adds juiciness, while the jaggery provides sweetness, creating a heavenly taste combination.
See some more snacks and appetizers in this blog like Kappa Vevichathu, Kappa Masala, Ethappazham Varattiyathu, Chilli Frites, Ethakka Appam, Oven Baked Potato, Masala Avocado, and some Non-Veg appetizers like Seer Fish Brochettes, Sausage and Vegetable Stir Fry, Nadan Chicken Fry, Egg Masala Fry etc.
Aval is rich in iron, carbohydrates, and fiber, making it a nutritious food for both kids and adults. It’s beneficial for weight loss, easy to digest, and provides instant energy. Overall, it’s a wholesome and healthy snack option.
You can also add cashews and raisins if you prefer, although I don’t consider them traditional in authentic Aval Nanachathu, the way we knew it from childhood. This snack brings back sweet memories. One Aval karan (beaten rice vendor) used to visit our house from Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu. I still remember him – a short, stout man wearing a white mundu (a traditional garment worn around the waist in Kerala) and a white shirt.
Beaten rice is readily available in most Indian grocery stores. Whenever I spot ripe plantains in the supermarket, the first thing that comes to mind is making Aval Nanachathu, as ripe plantains pair perfectly with it.
Here goes the recipe of Aval Nanachathu / Sweetened Beaten Rice Flakes.
Calories: 360 / 100 grams
Author: Seena
Ingredients for Aval Nanachathu:
2 cups Beaten Rice Flakes
1 cup Grated Coconut
½ cup grated Jaggery
2 crushed cardamom
One pinch of dry Ginger Powder (optional)
2 tbsp. Milk at room temperature
How to Make Aval Nanachathu / Sweetened Beaten Rice Flakes:
Take a big bowl. Add grated coconut, jaggery and cardamom powder. Add cardamom Powder, dry ginger powder and hot milk to dampen this. Squash aval once again with your hand for two or three minutes, until the mixture is well blended.
Serve Aval Nanachathu with sliced ripe plantains and a cup of tea or coffee.
My Recipe Notes on Aval Nanachathu:
1. You can even use melted jaggery for this. For this boil jagger with little water, strain it through a colander and then mix it with Aval.
2. Adding milk or coconut milk is purely optional. If the Coconut is fresh and is having good moisture, that would be more sufficient to get the desired wetness. If you wish it to be a bit soggy and soft, add very little warm milk.
3. You can use sugar instead of jaggery. Either way it tastes great. But I prefer to use jaggery as it is healthy.
4. Add more or less grated coconut and jaggery, it’s totally up to you.
5. Instead of milk, you can use luke warm water.
Serve Aval Nanachathu with ripe plantains..
Cheers
Bon Appétit
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കേരള അവൽ നനച്ചത് റെസിപ്പി.
Aval Nanachathu.
Description
Aval Nanachathu is a kerala snack or we can have it as appetizer too. Here beaten rice flakes or aval or poha is mixed with jaggery and coconut.