The celebration of Avurudu!
The season of Avurudu (New Year) is a significant celebration especially for the Sinhalese & Tamils of our
beautiful island nation. It’s celebrated during the month of April and it’s historically become a season of
righteous exuberance of blissful smiles and hungry taste buds amongst family, friends and neighbours
alike.
It’s celebrated by preparing the most delightfully delicious sweets with the most welcoming aroma,
filling the air with freshness.
But with a busy schedule, moms nowadays lack the time to make sweetmeats and carry out other
traditional Avurudu auspicious times with their children. Astra wants to help parents preserve Avurudu
traditions with the help of tasty treats, which makes it the perfect choice for kids to enjoy these
delicious treats whilst learning about family traditions, which will help enhance family bonds and
memories. Grow their interest. Let the kiddos be hands on with everything.
This is the perfect time for all moms and dads to get your kids involved in the kitchen, giving you
multiple helping hands in being able to cook and constantly taste all these sweets. Educate your kids
along the away with all the traditions and history around this festive season. There is no better place in
anyone’s household than your kitchen, for it is where all the magic happens. When you’ve already got
your Vitamins A and D with Astra, it sure is magical for all parents and children alike. Build those
memories in your kitchen, enhance them at your dining table and spread the love with Astra all season
long, inviting everyone for a taste of this happy holiday.
Astra under Upfield, the world’s largest plant-based nutrition company across 95 countries has become
a household brand where everyone can get involved and enjoy with every meal of the day and that
certainly multiplies during the Avurudu season.So, come along and try some delicious Avurudu recipes from Astra:
Konda Kavum
Ingredients:
• Rice Flour 500g
• Flour 250g
• Astra 100g
• A cup of Kithul (sugar-palm) Treacle
• Vanilla Flavour
• Water as needed
• Oil 250 ml
Instructions:
1. Mix all ingredients together with 100g of Astra to form a thick batter.
2. Heat oil in a shallow frying pan, then place a spoonful of the needed amount of the mixed batter into
the heated oil.
3. Drop a spoonful of the batter to the center of the pan and with the help of a long stick skewer start
shaping the mixture to form the konda kavum shape.
4. Let the kavum fry by gently splashing oil over it. Once it turns golden brown in color remove from
pan and keep aside on a tissue paper to drain excess oil
Milk Toffee
Ingredients:
• 300 grams of sugar
• 15 ml of vanilla essence
• 25 grams of cashew finely chopped
• 55 grams of Astra
• 40 ml of water
Instructions:
1. Before you start anything, line the tray with baking paper, grease the same tray with Astra and
set it aside. You are now ready to start cooking.
2. On a large thick bottom pan, pour in the sugar and add in two tablespoons of water. Stir over
moderate heat for about 3-4 minutes, then add the condensed milk.
3. Whilst stirring, add Astra, chopped cashew nuts and half a teaspoon of vanilla essence.
4. Keep stirring continuously until the mixture leaves the sides of the pan.
5. Once the mixture is ready, transfer it to the greased tray prepared earlier.
6. Spread the mixture evenly and flatten it with a spoon or spatula. Portion by cutting squares and
let it rest.
7. After rested, you now have in your possession the most mouth-watering Milk Toffee for you and
your family.
Pani Walalu
Ingredients:
• Whole urad 200 grams
• Rice flour 300 grams
• Coconut milk 1 cup
• Astra 50 grams
• Vanilla 1 teaspoon
• Coconut oil 4 millilitres
• Salt to taste
Instructions:
1. Mix together undu flour, rice flour, coconut milk, 50g of Astra and salt taste (can use a blender
as well).
2. Once mixed well, cover and leave for 4 hours for the mixture to rise.
3. Heat the treacle until thick and keep aside. Next heat the coconut oil
4. To create the pani walalu either use a piping bag or a piping syringe (traditionally this was done
with the use of a large handkerchief with a hold made in the center) drop the mixture into the
hot oil in a circular motion to create the shape.
5. Fry until they are golden. Once fried remove the pani walalu from heat, drain excess oil and dip
them in the premade Treacle mixture to coat them evenly. Once coated completely remove
from treacle mix and keep aside.
For more recipes and to wins gifts by being a part of Astra Avurudu competitions log in to Astra Sri Lanka
Facebook page or Astra website www.astrasrilanka.com