VELLA AVAL
After a lot of persuasion by Sri Krishna, the Lord's childhood friend Kuchela hands out his humble offering to Him. The beaten rice offering conveys to the Lord the predicament of his dear friend Kuchela who is pounded and beaten by the worldly miseries. When Krishna lovingly savours the beaten rice Kuchela is blessed with all the sweetness in life.
Offering Vella Aval to Sri Krishna reminds us that He stands by his devotees in all the ups and downs of life.
INGREDIENTS
Beaten Rice - 1 cup
Crushed jaggery - 3/4 cup
Turmeric powder - 1 pinch
Salt - 1/2 a pinch
Cashew nuts - few
Grated dry coconut ( copra ) - 2 tbsps
Ghee - 2 tsps
Cardamom powder - 1 pinch
METHOD
1. Dry roast beaten rice till it pops up and gives out a pleasant aroma.
2. Wash the roasted aval and squeeze out all the water.
3. Rub salt and turmeric powder evenly, cover with a lid and allow to soak for fifteen minutes till it becomes soft.
4. Heat one spoon of ghee in a pan and fry the cashew nuts to a golden colour.
5. Add the soaked aval and stir well.
6. Cover and cook on low flame for a few minutes.
7. Remove lid and stir well and switch off flame when all the moisture is evaporated.
8. Add one cup of water to crushed jaggery and boil it in another saucepan.
9. Filter the jaggery water, return it to the saucepan and continue boiling till the syrup foams and becomes very sticky.
10. Add the jaggery syrup to the aval and stir well.
11. Switch on the stove and cook the aval in jaggery syrup till the syrup coats each and every grain of aval.
12. When the vella aval becomes dry switch off flame again.
13. Add cardamom powder and the dry coconut gratings.
14.Add the remaining ghee and allow the vella aval to cool.
Fluff up the jaggery coated Vella Aval using a spoon or fork and offer it to Sri Krishna.Savour the prasaadam and enjoy the bliss.
Comments
A. Ram