Bajil bella-tharai

Bajil bella tarai (in Tulu literally means beaten rice or poha, jaggery, coconut) is a sweet dish eaten as breakfast in the Tulunadu region.. It is a tasty no-cook breakfast dish that can be prepared in 15 minutes. The end result is a slightly chewy and filling dish that will satisfy any early morning or afternoon sweet cravings – thanks to the jaggery.

Ingredients to prepare Bajil bella-tharai

4 cups thin bajil or poha or avalakki 

1 cup grated coconut

1/2 cup jaggery, powdered / grated

1 tablespoon ghee

1 tablespoon black seeds, roasted

Salt to taste

1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder

Tip : Use thin bajil for this dish. If only thick bajil is available, give it a good rinse to soften it.

Method to prepare Bajil bella-tharai

1. Sprinkle water on the thin bajil to soften it. Mix well so that it is evenly moist. 
2. Don’t soak it in water as it may become soggy.
3. In a bowl, add powdered jaggery, grated coconut, salt and cardamom powder. Mix well.
4. Add poha along with ghee and sesame seeds and mix well using hands (preferably) or a spoon to combine the mixture.
5. Serve and enjoy with a glass of tea or coffee.

This breakfast dish goes excellently well along with banana pieces squeezed in with each bite. This bajil bella-tharai dish is garnished with roasted cashew nuts and raisins when prepared for special prasadam offerings.

You can check out other interesting recipes unique to the region here.