Aval Vilayichathu- My Dad’s Favourite for his Birthday...

This is a simple and a easy tea time snack which can be mostly seen in every malayali household. A mix of beaten rice flakes, melted jaggery and coconut with a tinge of cardamom powder is a heavenly treat.

A good combination along with ripe plantains, but we can have it this way too. Kids will love this after school snack, not only kids but everyone in the family.This is special because today is my dad’s birthday and he loves this  type of Kerala snacks a lot. Even though he is diabetic, he loves to eat everything that is sweet. He will always ask my mom to make this. If not he will buy this from shop.

My dad is a good cook. Whatever he made was amazingly delicious. When we were kids, he used to prepare kheer using milkmaid, ice creams, different types of juices, omelet. Among these his omelet was famous, till now whenever we demand he makes it for us. This aval vilayichath is for you dad, just that we are enjoying it here…. :)

Ingredients:

1. Poha/ Aval- 2 Cups
2. Grated Jaggery- ¾ Cup
3. Water- ⅓ Cup
4. Grated Coconut- ½ Cup
5. Crushed Cardamom- 2 tsp
6. Sesame Seeds- 2 tbsp
7. Cashews- few

Method:

1. Roast the sesame seeds and cashews along with little ghee and keep this aside.
2. Melt the jaggery along with water in a pan on low flame. Strain it. In this add grated coconut and cook it on low flame.
3. Mix well till it becomes semi dry. In this add poha and stir well for about 4- 5 minutes.
4. Add roasted sesame seeds and cashews. Mix well. Remove from fire and stir the mixture for about 3- 4 minutes. At last add the cardamom powder and when it is cooled, store in an airtight container.