Saturday, September 20, 2008

Savory Kozhakattai

Usually made on special festival days, Kozhakattai or Indian spiced rice flour balls, are wonderfully steamed and spicy. The dough is traditionally used to make a sweet version stuffed with jaggery. This spicy kind was made with the leftover dough. I personally prefer the savory version! (Sometimes, you've got to be glad there are leftovers - often they make a better dish than the original!).


Savory Indian Rice Flour Balls (Kozhakattai)
(Inspired by Laavanya's post on Cookery Corner)

1 cup Raw Rice, soaked for 3-4 hours
1 tsp Urad Dal
1 tsp Mustard Seeds
1/2 tsp Chilli Powder
a pinch of Salt
a pinch of Asafetida
1 tbsp Grated Coconut

2 tbsp Dosa Milagai Podi (Here's a link to make it at home - it can also be found in most Indian stores - look for the MTR brand)
OR
1 tbsp Crushed Red Pepper

2 tbsp Oil + 1 tbsp for mixing
2-3 Curry Leaves

Grind the soaked raw rice with lots of water into a very watery consistency.

Heat 2 tbsp oil on a pan and pour in the batter. Keep stirring until the batter starts to come together and becomes thicker, almost like a dough. Remove from heat. Add 1 tbsp of oil and the milagai podi or crushed red pepper. Combine into the dough and knead for about five minutes until it is smooth and elastic.

Shape the dough into tiny balls (the size of small marbles). Steam for about 5-7 minutes. The balls will acquire a lovely shine. Keep aside.

Heat some oil in a pan and add the urad dal and mustard seeds. When the mustard seeds start to splutter, add the curry leaves and coconut. Stir fry for a minute.

Add the steamed rice balls, salt and chilli powder to the pan and combine the ingredients. Remove from heat after 4-5 minutes when the balls get slightly browned.

This is a perfect tea-time snack.

Related Links:
A lovely recipe with great photographs for the sweet version of Kozhakattai from Delectable Victuals.
Here's another savory version that is more commonly made, from Saffron Hut.

23 comments:

Siri said...

Anu - the balls looks so cute.. and yummy! indeed a yummy tea time snack. How did u steam the balls Anu? in an idli cooker? I don't have one.. any other ideas??

Hugs
Siri

Bharti said...

Wow...that looks really cool. Trust u to come up with such unique stuff. They'd make perfect party appetizers too if u put party picks on them.

Unknown said...

I prefer the sweet version..This looks too good Anu..

Scott at Real Epicurean said...

I think I've never eaten anything like them. They sound delicious though!

Raaga said...

Lovely... I made these too :)

I also made the sweet version this way: http://chefatwork.blogspot.com/2007/09/patoli-nevryo-and-narlya-kheeri-coconut.html

amna said...

i have tasted these once when my sis made it and its delicious. a nice twist to otherwise bland kozhukkattai!

Sunshinemom said...

You are right about leftovers turning out better than the actual dish! I too love the 'ammini' kozhukkotais as we call them. I don't smear them with molagapodi, but it seems to be a good idea to do that.

Deepthi Shankar said...

iam not very fond of the sweet ones .. this version sounds very yummy have never tried it though .. looks good

jayasree said...

We make 'ammini kozhukkattais' the same way. I love them. Adding milagai podi is a nice twist.

Finla said...

It looks so delicious and cute, i just want to pck them one by one and eat them

Aparna Inguva said...

Real mouth poppers. Looks yum.
A post card and an award for you at:
http://threemangoes.blogspot.com/2008/09/peruvian-food-note-of-appreciation-and.html

Anonymous said...

The picture looks great. My daughter loves these, I make them with store bought rice powder by adding little water at a time to make a smooth dough. Rest of the process is same, she too loves it with Milagai podi, thanks for reminding me, it is a great snack, try mixing a little ragi powder to it, turned out great and colorful too.

raaji said...

Rice Balls look so cute.nice shot...

Arundathi said...

Siri - Yeah I used an idli cooker - it works very well. Hugs.

Bharti - Yes they do - people love them - healthy and steamed.

Divya Vikram - Thanks.

Scott - They are - do try them.

Raaga - I saw your sweet version - so professional!

Nags - Yes it is delicious.

Sunshinemom - the molagapodi gets kneaded in with the dough - not smeared - tastes so much better!

Deesha - Thanks.

Jayasree - Yup - I think these are called Ammini Kozhakattais.

Happy Cook - :) Thanks.

Aparna - Thanks so much! Off to check it!

Anonymous - The ragi is a great idea - thanks!

Raaji - thank you!

Nirmala said...

Thats lovely and new to me! Adding few toasted ground nuts will make it more tasty! Will try this over this weekend!

Swati Raman Garg said...

its my appa ans annas fav...made it this time with the left over dough and was remembering you... :)

Gabi said...

Those look great! I saw them on Recipe Muncher and had to come check them out- nice job!
:)

CurryLeaf said...

looks simple and tasty,thanks for sharing the recipe

Arundathi said...

Nirmala - Hope you enjoyed it!

Swati - its become a family favorite here too

Gabi - thank you

Curry Leaf - Sure, you're welcome.

bee said...

i've eaten this once and loved it so much. thanks for the recipe. it looks fabulous.

Arundathi said...

Sure, Bee, you're welcome.

Nidhi said...

savory over sweet for me any day. Never tried these. They look very interesting.

Arundathi said...

Nidhi - Yes, I like savory over sweet too.