Meena's Taste Mantra

Arisi Upma Kozhukattai | Steamed Rice Balls - a Maha Shivratri Special!

Arisi Upama Kozhukattai is a very tasty and healthy Breakfast | Snack Option. Since it is steamed, it is really good for health!We normally make either Arisi Upma Kozhukattai or Neer Kozhukattai or Jowar Veg Kozhukattai on Maha Shivratri along with Paruppu Kanji.

Appa loves this Kozhukattai as it is cooked twice - once the dough and then steamed as balls...this gives it a great taste.

Arisi Upma Kozhukattai | Steamed Rice Balls

INGREDIENTS

2 cups Raw Rice
3 1/2 cups Water
1 tsp Salt | To taste
1/2 cup Fresh Coconut, grated

For Tempering:

1 tsp Oil

1 tsp Rai | Mustard Seeds

1 tsp Channa Dal

1 sprig Kadhi Patta | Curry Leaves

A pinch Hing | Asafoetida

2 Sukhi Lal Mirch | Dried Red Chilli, broken into 4

METHOD

Wash and soak Raw Rice for 2 hours. Drain and dry the soaked rice on a kitchen towel under the fan for approximately 30 minutes.
Coarsely grind this rice to a rava like consistency.
In a kadhai slightly warm the ground rice for 5 to 6 minutes. The colour must not change. Transfer the roasted rice to a plate.
Add oil in a pan and when the oil is hot, add rai seeds. When the rai splutters, add channa dal, hing, red chilli and curry leaves.
Once the dal changes color, add water, grated coconut and salt. Mix well. When the water begins to boil turn the gas to a medium flame.
Add roasted rice and mix well. Let it cook for about 3 minutes stirring occasionally to ensure it does not stick to the bottom of the pan. It should become like a thick dough...somewhat like upama. Switch off the gas.
Make equal portions of the dough and shape them into lemon sized balls.
Place on steamer plate and steam for 10 minutes. In case using pressure cooker to steam, do not place the whistle.
Serve hot with any Podi | Chutney | Thogaiyal.

Appa had this with Molga Podi mixed with Til | Sesame Oil. Amma had this with Coconut Chutney. I had this just like that!

Note:

a. While shaping the Kozhukattai, wet hand with water so that the dough does not stick and you get a smooth Kozhukattai.

We have used:

1. Sona Masoori Rice

2. Til Sona Oil - Sesame Oil

3. Tata Salt Lite

About C R Meena

(c) 2014 - 2016, Meena's Taste Mantra is the result of my ardent desire to share my recipes, with all who appreciate and celebrate food. These recipes are as a result of 60 years of cooking experience, influenced by tradition and exposure to various concepts, new recipes/ingredients and a passion for cooking - adapting to healthier alternatives.