Atukula Vadiyalu | Aval Vadam | Avalakki Sandige
Atukula Vadiyalu ( called Aval Vadam in Tamil and Avalakki Sandige in Kannada) are sun-dried fritters made with beaten rice. They are fried as and when required, and are the best accompaniment to Sambar Rice.
Ingredients
- 1.5 Kgs Thick Atukulu, Poha
- 75 Gms Finely Chopped Spicy Green Chillies
- 300 Gms Finely Chopped Onion Optional
- 60 Gms Salt
- 3 Handfuls Finely Chopped Coriander
- 3 Litres Water
Instructions
Preparing the Atukulu
- In a very large vessel, dissolve the salt in water.
- Add the Atukulu to the salted water.
- With a gentle hand, mix well and set aside for 2-3 minutes. Do not use force or the Atukulu will disintegrate and you have have a lump on your hands!
- Transfer the soaked Atukulu into colander (s) and drain all the excess water.
- Leave the Atukulu to drain for about 30 minutes.
- Transfer the soaked and drained Atukulu into a large vessel.
- Add the chopped coriander, onion and green chillies.
- Using a gentle hand or a large ladle, mix till the onion, coriander and chillies are evenly distributed.
Making the Atukula Vadiyalu
- Take 1/2 a handful of the mix in your hand.
- Using both your hands, press into a circular disc about 2" in diameter and 1/2" thick. Unless the mix is very dry, do not add any water. If the Vadiyalu are disintegrating just sprinkle some water and mix with a gentle hand.
- Place the vadiyam on a plate. You can stack them as you can see from the image in the step-by-step tutorial.
- Repeat the process to make other vadiyalu. You will get about 110-130 vadiyalu.
Sun Drying the Atukula Vadiyalu
- Spread a 2 meter long cotton cloth or plastic sheet in the sun.
- Place the vadiyalu on the sheet to dry.
- Sun-dry for at least 3 days (24 hours in total) while flipping the vadiyalu over each day.
- Store in an air-tight container.
Frying the Atukula Vadiyalu
- In a kadhai, over medium flame, heat enough oil to accommodate 2-3 vadiyalu at a time. The Atukula Vadiyalu will swell as you fry them.
- Add the vadiyalu and fry them for 2-3 minutes. Flip over after a minute.
- Serve as an accompaniment to Sambar Rice, Bisi Bele Bhaat, or indeed any one-pot rice meal.