Arisi Kuzhakattai (Rice dumplings)

Today's post is "Arisi Kuzhakattai".

"Arisi" is rice and "Kuzhakattai" is dumplings. So these are dumplings made out of broken rice flavored with shredded coconuts and spices. Every country have their own authentic traditional food. And India is no exception to that. In olden days, food was considered to be medicine. We can fortify our health by getting back to the roots . There were lot of authentic recipes prepared by our great grandmothers that have been passed from generation to generation. Some were twisted and prepared according to our needs and taste while some were prepared just the way they were prepared those days. One such food is Arisi Kuzhakattai.

I still remember my grandmother preparing these yummy dumplings. The aroma of the shredded coconuts and sesame oil will enthrall our senses. This is my favourite food since my childhood days & I learnt this recipe from my mother .

Ingredients:

Raw rice 2 cups

Cumin Seeds 1/2 tsp

Pepper 1/2 tsp

Tur Dal 1 tsp

Shredded Coconut 1/2 cup

Hing pinch

Sesame Oil

Mustard Seeds 1 tsp

Red Chilli 1 or 2

Urad dal 1 tsp

Curry leaves few

Method:

1. Grind raw rice, cumin seeds, pepper and tur dal into a coarse powder. It should be of rava (sooji) consistency.

2. Add water to the above broken rice and keep it aside for 10 minutes. Please note that for 1 cup of the broken rice (from step 1), add 2.5 cups of water.

3. Heat oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds, red chilli, urad dal & curry leaves and allow it to splutter.

4. Add the shredded coconut, hing & salt. Saute it for 30 seconds.

5. Add the broken rice along with water (step 2) and saute it for 10 minutes. Switch off and allow it to cool a little bit.

6. Pat into cylindrical shaped dumplings. Steam it in idly plate for 5 to 6 minutes.

7. Pair it with Kara chutney and enjoy hot.