Aval Vilayichathu

Ingredients

Brown aval– 2 cups
Jaggery – 1 cup or to taste, grated
Water – 3/4 cup
Ghee -  1 tbsp
Raisins – 2 tbsp
Cashews – 2 tbsp
Roasted gram – 3 tbsp
Black sesame seeds – 1 – 2 tsp
Grated coconut – 1.5 cup
Cardamom powder – 1/4 tsp, heaped
Dry ginger powder / chukku podi – 1/4 tsp

Method

1. Dissolve jaggery in 3/4 cup water on medium heat. Set aside.

2. In a heavy-bottomed pan / uruli at medium heat, add 1 tbsp ghee. Fry raisins until plump and set aside. Fry cashews, pottu kadala, black sesame seeds and set aside. Strain and add the dissolved jaggery into the uruli and bring to a boil. Stir continuously and boil for 4 – 5 minutes until it reaches a one-thread consistency (A drop of the jaggery syrup should form a thread between your thumb and index finger when pressed and stretched.) Add the grated coconut and stir for 1 – 2 minutes until moisture evaporates. Add cardamom powder and dry ginger powder. Mix well. Switch off. After 1 – 2 minutes, add the rice flakes, fried raisins, cashews, roasted gram, black sesame seeds and mix well. Cool down and have plantains.