There’s pori, masala pori, pori urundai, and then… nothing else. Crunchy puffed rice is all that’s needed to perk up an incredibly boring evening, or add life to an already crackling one. How beautifully it lends itself to experimentation! Add it to a tempering of mustard, cumin, red chillies, groundnut, hing and curry leaves; drizzle it atop a mix of finely grated vegetables, and garnish with fresh coriander, roasted cumin powder and a dash of lemon juice. Try a soft-crunchy upma, where the pori does a tango with fried shallots, tomato, coconut and slivers of raw mango; or, gently roll it in liquid gold-like jaggery with ghee and cardamom for a sweet ending.
Anonymous paeans have been sung in its honour, but the best?
The appreciative ‘aaahh’ that accompanies every pop of pori.
