Indian
Gluten freeGopalkala
Curd and flattened rice mix
गोपाळकाला: Maharashtra's curd-and-poha mix eaten after breaking the Dahi Handi
When the human pyramid of a Mumbai or Pune govinda pathak cracks the Dahi Handi pot on the day after Janmashtami, the prasad that follows is gopalkala, a cool mix of poha, curd, cucumber, puffed jowar and pomegranate, recalling the cowherd boys who pooled their lunches with Krishna. It is crunchy, tangy, lightly hot from green chilli and very refreshing after hours in the monsoon crowds. Common mistake: soaking the poha until it is mushy; thick poha only needs a quick rinse, and it is right when a flake squashes softly but still holds its shape. Chef's tip: mix in the puffed jowar and pomegranate just before serving so the crunch survives.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 2 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Serves
- 4
- Per serving
- 190 kcal
Ingredients
For the kala
- 3 ½ oz thick poha (flattened rice)
- 9 oz plain yoghurt (dahi)whisked
- 1 cucumberfinely chopped
- 1 ¾ oz pomegranate seeds
- 1 green chillifinely chopped
- 1 tsp fresh gingergrated
- ¾ tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 tbsp fresh corianderchopped
For the tadka
- 1 tsp ghee
- ½ tsp cumin seeds
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Rinse 3 ½ oz thick poha (flattened rice) in a sieve under running water for 15 seconds, then leave it to drain for 5 minutes until soft but whole.
5 minStep 2: In a bowl mix 9 oz plain yoghurt (dahi), ¾ tsp salt, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tsp fresh ginger and 1 green chilli. Fold in the poha and 1 cucumber.
2 minStep 3: Heat 1 tsp ghee in a small pan over a medium heat, add ½ tsp cumin seeds and, when it sizzles, 6 curry leaves. Pour the tadka over the bowl.
2 minStep 4: Just before serving fold in 1 oz puffed jowar (lahya) or puffed rice and 1 ¾ oz pomegranate seeds and scatter over 2 tbsp fresh coriander.
1 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 190 kcal
- Protein
- 7 g
- Carbs
- 30 g
- Fat
- 5 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does gopalkala take?
- About 17 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 2 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of plain yoghurt (dahi)?
- Greek yoghurt loosened with a little milk.
- What can I use instead of cucumber?
- Courgette, same weight (in salads, use young ones).
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Perfect for:Janmashtami