Monday, February 5, 2018

Huri Hittu Unde / Dry roasted Finger Millet Laddu.

Huri Hittu is Ragi flour, which is washed, dry roasted and powdered . I got this Ragi Huri hittu from my son Ravi , who buys organic packs of grains and used it for making healthy  Huri Hittu laddu/ladu/unde. One or two laddus are enough to make your tummy full and a good snack in the evening.




I do remember that, one of my friend's mother used to prepare this Huri Hittu laddu and give it to her kids after they return from school. They used to eat this laddu and come back to play with us in school compound. Those were the really golden days. We had school from 10 to 1 and break for 1 hour and then it starts again from 2 to 5. Then we used to play for an hour and then get back home.
Coming back to these Huri Hittu Unde, in those days people used to clean ragi and then wash it. Dry it in a shade. (Inside the home ). Then dry roast and it pops up a bit. When it cools down they send this roasted ragi to mill and get it powdered. They use it whenever they want it.
They used to prepare Huri hittu in this way. Take some huri hittu flour and then add little coconut and powdered jaggery. Mix it well. Add very little ghee and then give a shape as small laadu/laddu. One laddu is enough to provide energy which is lost during the day. Tummy full and happy kids go back to play for a while. This is how we used to have time in our childhood days. No comparison for these days school and the study. No time to play for the kids and they are fully tired for the day when they come back from school. Feel so sad seeing the kids and their home work and the other work. The proverb say play while play work while work. But where is the time for play these days?
Let us see the recipe now :
I have used some dry fruits like dates, figs, apricots, almonds and dry raisins

Ingredients :

Huri Hittu : 2 Cups
Almonds : 1/2 Cup
Walnuts - 1/4 Cup
Figs : 5 to 6
Apricot : 5 to 6
Dry Raisins : 1 Cup
Dates : 2 to 3 Cups.
Cashew nuts :  5 to 6
Ghee : 1 Tablespoon
Coconut/Copra : 1 Cup ( One small kobbari/Kopra)

Method :

1. Remove the seeds from dates and keep it aside.
2. Dry grind kobbari/Kopra and put it in a big bowl.

3. Dry grind dates and all the nuts one by one or together.


4. Put it in a big bowl and put ragi huri hittu.

5. Add a tablespoon of ghee and mix it well.

6. Prepare Laddu/laadu by taking handful of dry fruits mixed ragi huri hittu.

7. Arrange them in a big bowl. Let it be there for 10 to 15 minutes.


8. Store them in a airtight bottle or box and serve or eat.

Note :

Use good variety of dates. Use of any nuts are optional. Dry grinding raisins along with other nuts is optional. ( I did dry grind the raisins). It helps to bind the flour tight. Use of ghee is optional.
Time : 30 Minutes.
15 to 20 Laddus can be prepared.

Saturday, February 3, 2018

Quick Avalakki

Avalakki/poha/flattened rice /Aval is such a handy grain and you can prepare lovely dishes using this grain. Avalakki comes to help when you are tired, bored, just want to relax with some simple dish.
I have tried this Avalakki for breakfast. It is simple, quick and yummy. I am sure you all are going to try and enjoy this quick Avalakki.


I have used medium size avalakki/beaten flatten rice, home prepared spice powder, lemon, ginger and jaggery. Not to forget the seasonings and coconut.
Avalakki is always a better choice because it is easy to prepare and good for health. You can prepare this Avalakki on festival or feast days since there is no onion or garlic added here in this recipe.
No Garlic OR No Onion is added to this Quick Avalakki. Good for breakfast or snack.
Let us see the recipe now :

Things needed :


To Cook :
Avalakki /Flattened rice : 2 Cups

To Add :
Lemon : 1 Lemon extract/lemon juice
Jaggery : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Ginger : An inch
Spice powder : 1 Teaspoon
Coconut : 3 to 4 Tablespoons
Salt : As required
Ghee : 2 Tablespoons
Coriander leaves : 2 to 3 Tablespoons.

To Season :
Coconut Oil : ! Tablespoon
Mustard seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Urid dal : 1 Teaspoon
Curry Leaves :  8 to 10
Green chilly : 1
Ground Nuts : 2 to 3 Tablespoons

Method :

!. Wash and cut coriander leaves, slit green chilly and  curry leaves.
2. Grate coconut and keep it aside. Wash ginger and remove the outer layer. Grate it and keep it aside.
3. Wash avalakki and drain all the water from it.
4. Add turmeric powder, powdered jaggery, salt, lemon juice, spice powder and mix it well.
5. Add 1/4 cup of water and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes.

6. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add a tablespoon of oil. Add mustard seeds, urid dal and let mustard seeds splutter.

7. Add slit green chilly and fry for a minute. Add curry leaves and stir once. Let the flame be low.
8. Add avalakki and mix it nicely. Slowly mix it. Let all the mixture mix it well. Add water if required.

9. Let all the ingredients mix well. Add water if required. Cover the lid and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Put off the fire. Cover with lid and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add ghee and mix it well.
10. Keep a small pan and heat. Add 1/2 teaspoon of oil and fry ground nuts. Fry till they turn slightly golden colour. Add this fried groundnuts to avalakki.


11. Now shift the ready Avalakki to a serving bowl. Add coconut and fried groundnuts on the top of avalakki.

12. Serve with a cup of curd.



Note :

If you are using very thick avalakki put little more water and let it rest for little more time. Adding groundnuts is optional. Use of coconut oil is optional. Any cooking oil can do. You should  add ghee when the avalakki is hot. So that it melts and mixes well with avalakki. I have used dry roasted methi seeds and raw mustard seeds powder as spice powder. I have used green chilly which has naturally turned red when kept it for a long time.
Time : 30 Minutes
Serves : 2 to 3.

Spice Powder : 

Dry roast 1/2 Teaspoon of methi seeds and dry grind with 1 teaspoon of mustard seeds and 1 teaspoon of red chilly powder. 

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About

author
My name is Nalini Somayaji. Teaching is my profession. Cooking is my passion. Reading, travelling, visiting new places, having fun with kids are some of the hobbies I can say. My recipes are Healthy, quick, easy and simple. Grown up being a traditional family member I love and respect Indian culture and traditions. Love classical dance and music.
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