Sweet (Vella) Aval or Sweet Poha

Do you have to prepare a sweet offering at a temple gathering or at home on a festive occasion or simply have a sweet tooth?  Look no further than this very simple, quick and delicious sweet recipe made with two core ingredients – Aval or Poha (Flat Beaten Rice) and Jaggery, which is a wholesome, unrefined sugar.
Jaggery  is a great source of iron and minerals.  It is generally considered a better alternative to sugar for diabetics………as it is less harmful, although it is advisable for diabetics to consume jaggery based sweets in moderation as well!!!

The flat beaten rice is called “Aval” in the South of India and “Poha” in the Northern Parts of India.
This sweet treat is called Vella Aval or Sweet Poha.   Vella or Vellam is Jaggery in Tamil and this is a traditional dish in Keralite households as jaggery is used in a number of sweet dishes in Kerala too..

Ingredients to serve 4-6 people

1 Cup Aval (Poha)
½ Cup Warm Water (just enough to soak the aval)
1 Cup Water
¾ Cup Jaggery (powdered)
2 Tbs Ghee
Few Chopped Cashew Nuts
2 Tbs Freshly Grated Coconut
1 Tsp Cardamom Powder

Fry the chopped cashew nuts in the ghee, drain and set aside
In the remainder of the ghee, fry the grated coconut for 50 seconds.

Soak the aval  in hot water for a minute in a dish
Bring the one cup of water to the boil in a deep based pan
Add the powdered jaggery and let it boil for a few minutes till it starts to bubble and glisten
Pour in the soaked aval and stir through on a medium flame till it solidifies
Add the fried cashew nuts and the coconut with the ghee
Sprinkle the cardamom powder

The Sweet Aval is ready to be served

Note:  Just enough water should be used to soak the aval.
Too much water will make the dish soggy and will take a longer time to solidify!