Nachni (finger millets) and rava (semolina) pole are very similar to uthappams except for the fact that they do not use a rice-lentils base. They make for a quick meal without the hassle of soaking and fermenting the rice-lentils batter that you need for uthappams.
They also make for an excellent addition to a brunch menu.
Ingredients:
1 cup nachni flour
1/2 cup semolina
1/2 cup yoghurt
1 1/2 cup water
1 onion, chopped fine
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon sesame seeds, toasted (optional)
5-6 curry leaves
1/2 teaspoon grated ginger
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 a green chilli, finely chopped (optional)
salt to taste
3-4 tablespoons oil
Nachni-rava pole
Method:
- Mix the nachni and semolina. Add the salt and pepper and mix well so it’s evenly distributed.
- Add the yoghurt and mix into the dry ingredients. Add the water gradually until you have a batter the consistency of pole (pancake) batter.
- Add the chopped onion to the batter and mix well.
- In a small pan, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Add the cumin seeds, curry leaves. When the cumin seeds splutter, add the ginger and the green chilli (if you are using it) and saute for 2 mins. Add this to the pole batter.
- Heat a pan and smear with some oil. Add a pinch of sesame seeds and drop a ladleful of the pole batter. Cover and cook for a couple of minutes. Flip and cook the other side until done.
- Serve hot with ketchup or some green chutney.
This makes 6-10 pole or pancakes depending on the size you choose.
