Avalakki Uttapam | Pancake with Flattened Rice | Atukula Oothappam | Poha Uttapam

Avalakki Uttapam, also known as Atukula Oothappam or Poha Uttapam, is a delightful South Indian pancake made with flattened rice (poha) and rice. This thick, savory pancake is traditionally topped with onions, chilies, tomatoes, capsicum, and cabbage. It's often enjoyed with sambar or chutney, making it a perfect breakfast or snack option. In this special recipe, Mrs. Lakshmi shares her unique method of preparing Uttapam using rice and uncooked flattened rice flakes, resulting in a soft and flavorful dish that the whole family will love. Follow these step-by-step instructions to bring this delicious South Indian delicacy to your table.

Soaking Time: 3 hours
Fermentation Time: 4 hours
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 2 minutes per Uttapam
Course: Breakfast
Main Ingredients: Rice, Flattened Rice, Buttermilk

Quick Navigation:

• Ingredients
• Procedure
• Step 1: Soak the Rice and Flattened Rice
• Step 2: Blend the Soaked Mixture
• Step 3: Add Vegetables and Herbs
• Step 4: Season the Batter
• Step 5: Cook the Uttapam
• Step 6: Cook on One Side
• Step 7: Flip the Uttapam
• Step 8: Cook on the Other Side
• Step 9: Check for Doneness
• Step 10: Serve Hot
• Onion Chutney Recipe
• Ingredients for Onion Chutney
• Procedure for Onion Chutney
• Step 1: Roast the Red Chilies
• Step 2: Sauté the Onions
• Step 3: Add Salt and Cook
• Step 4: Blend the Chutney
• Step 5: Prepare the Tempering
• Step 6: Add Tempering to Chutney
• Step 7: Serve the Chutney
• Conclusion

Ingredients

White Rice: 1 bowl

Flattened Rice Flakes (Poha/Avalakki/Atukulu): 3/4 bowl

Buttermilk (Majjiga): Approximately 2 bowls

Green Chilies: 7

Grated Carrot: 1/2 bowl
Chopped Onions: 1/4 bowl
Coriander Leaves: A handful

Cumin Seeds: 1 tablespoon

Salt: As required

Oil: 1 tablespoon per Uttapam

Procedure

Step 1: Soak the Rice and Flattened Rice

In a large bowl, combine 1 bowl of white rice and 3/4 bowl of flattened rice flakes. Pour enough fresh buttermilk to fully immerse the rice mixture—approximately 2 bowls. Allow it to soak for about 3 hours to soften the grains.

Step 2: Blend the Soaked Mixture

Add 5 green chilies to the soaked rice mixture. Transfer everything to a blender and grind it into a smooth paste. The consistency should be similar to pancake batter—not too thick or too thin.

Cover the batter and let it rest for 4-5 hours at room temperature to allow fermentation. This will give the Uttapam a soft and fluffy texture.

Step 3: Add Vegetables and Herbs

Once the batter is fermented, add 1/2 bowl of grated carrot, 1/4 bowl of chopped onions, and a handful of chopped coriander leaves. Mix everything thoroughly to ensure even distribution of the vegetables in the batter.

Step 4: Season the Batter

Add 1 tablespoon of cumin seeds and the required amount of salt to the batter. Mix well to incorporate the seasoning evenly throughout the mixture.

Step 5: Cook the Uttapam

Heat a non-stick pan over low flame and apply 1/2 tablespoon of oil to grease it. Pour a ladleful of the batter onto the pan and spread it gently to form a thick pancake, similar to a thick dosa. The Uttapam should be about 1/2 inch thick.

Step 6: Cook on One Side

Cover the pan with a lid and let the Uttapam cook for about 1 minute on low flame. This helps the top side to steam and cook evenly.

Step 7: Flip the Uttapam

Remove the lid and gently flip the Uttapam to cook the other side. If needed, add a little more oil around the edges.

Step 8: Cook on the Other Side

Cover the pan again and cook for another 1 minute on low flame until the Uttapam is golden brown and cooked through.

Step 9: Check for Doneness

Open the lid and check if the Uttapam is cooked in the middle. It should be soft and fluffy without any raw batter. Remove it from the pan and repeat the process for the remaining batter.

Step 10: Serve Hot

Serve the Avalakki Uttapam hot with groundnut chutney or onion chutney. The Uttapam is very tasty, and kids will love it, especially since the grated carrot is mixed into the batter, making it a nutritious option they won't pick out.

Onion Chutney Recipe

Mrs. Lakshmi recommends pairing this Uttapam with a flavorful onion chutney. It's easy to prepare and enhances the taste of the Uttapam. Here are the step-by-step instructions for making onion chutney.

Ingredients for Onion Chutney

Chopped Onions: 1 large onion

Dry Red Chilies: 5-6

For Tempering (Talimpu):
- Dry Red Chili: 1
- Bengal Gram (Senagapappu): 1/4 tablespoon
- Black Gram (Minapappu): 1/4 tablespoon
- Cumin Seeds (Jeelakarra): 1 tablespoon
- Mustard Seeds (Aavalu): 1/4 tablespoon
- Garlic Cloves: 4-5
- Curry Leaves: A few

Salt: 1/2 tablespoon
Turmeric Powder: A pinch
Soaked Tamarind: 1 tablespoon
Oil: 2 tablespoons

Procedure for Onion Chutney

Step 1: Roast the Red Chilies

In a pan, heat 1/2 tablespoon of oil over medium flame. Add 5-6 dry red chilies and roast them for about 30 seconds, stirring continuously to prevent burning.

Step 2: Sauté the Onions

Add the chopped onions to the pan and sauté them for about 1 minute over medium flame, stirring frequently.

Step 3: Add Salt and Cook

Add 1/2 tablespoon of salt to the onions and continue to sauté for another minute. This helps the onions to soften and release their moisture.

Step 4: Blend the Chutney

Allow the onion mixture to cool. Then, transfer it to a blender along with the roasted red chilies, 1 tablespoon of soaked tamarind, 3-4 garlic cloves, and 1/2 tablespoon of cumin seeds. Blend the mixture to a semi-smooth consistency. Taste and adjust the salt if necessary.

Step 5: Prepare the Tempering

In a small pan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium flame. Add the following ingredients one by one with a few seconds gap:

• 1 dry red chili
• 1/4 tablespoon Bengal gram
• 1/4 tablespoon Black gram
• 1/4 tablespoon Mustard seeds
• 1/2 tablespoon Cumin seeds
• 1 mashed Garlic clove
• A few chopped Curry leaves
• A pinch of Turmeric powder

Fry the tempering ingredients until they turn aromatic and the seeds start to splutter. Turn off the flame.

Step 6: Add Tempering to Chutney

Pour the hot tempering over the blended onion chutney and mix well.

Step 7: Serve the Chutney

Your flavorful onion chutney is now ready to be served alongside the Avalakki Uttapam.

Conclusion

Enjoy this delicious Avalakki Uttapam with the tangy and spicy onion chutney for a wholesome and satisfying meal. This recipe is not only tasty but also incorporates healthy ingredients like flattened rice and vegetables, making it a great choice for breakfast or a snack. Kids will especially love this Uttapam, as the vegetables are mixed into the batter, adding nutrition without compromising on taste. A special thanks to Mrs. Lakshmi for sharing this wonderful recipe that brings a delightful twist to traditional Uttapam.