Steamed rice balls
As a child, I never liked this tiffin. My sister also is not much of a fan of this kozhukattai. So amma almost never prepared this when we were at home. After marriage, I found my MIL makes this often for breakfast.At home it was strict No for this tiffin. But, with MIL, I can't say so. (That too with the newly wed status!!!). Being a new entry to their house, I didnot want to make her feel that I am fussy with food. Having stayed 3 years at hostel, I had learnt to eat things which I would like to avoid, given a chance. Also I am not that fussy kind, who just can't stand seeing a food altogether. I eat what is given. But if I like, I relish it and other wise it is like 'eat to live' attitude.
Somehow after marriage, I acquired a taste to this. When I run out of batter for breakfast, this started finding place regularly in my menu. So now I make this often. Since it is steam cooked, its healthy too.
First you have to prepare the rice rava. I have seen my co-sister preparing this using the store bought rice rava which is used to make idlies. It comes out absolutely fine using the store bought one. I don't get to buy that in my place.
So for those who have tp prepare the rice rava, here is how to proceed
Raw rice - 2 cups
Tuvar dal - 3 tblspn
Wash and soak rice and tuvar dal in water for 30 minutes. The rice should not go very soft on soaking. Depending on the variety of the rice, the soaking time can be adjusted.
Drain the water, leave the rice dal combo on a colander for sometime so that any water left will be completely drained.
Spread on a dry kitchen towel. This will take some 15 mts. Don't dry under sun.
Make a coarse powder in a mixer grinder. The texture of the flour should be like rava (sooji).
Prepration of the upma for the kozhukkattai.
Water - 2 cups for every cup of the flour
Salt
Grated coconut -1/2 cup (increase the qty if you wish)
Seasoning
Oil - 2 tblspn
mustard - 1/2 tspn
chanadal- 1/2 tspn
urad dal - 1/2 tspn
chopped green chilly - 4 nos
broken red chilly - 2 nos
curry leaves - few
Take a kadai. Do the seasoning as given.
Add water and salt. Wait till the water starts boiling.
When water starts boiling, slowly add the rice flour with out forming lumps. Let it cook. When the water is completely absorbed, add grated coconut. cook for 2 minutes.
Now upma consistency will be reached.
Transfer to a plate. Let it cool.
When it is warm enough to be held in hand, take the cooked dough and make balls to the size of tennis balls. Usuall the shape is not perfect rounds but more like the shape of an egg.It is always rolled with one hand.
Place the balls on a idly steamer and steam cook for 10 minutes. Kozhukkatais will have a glossy appearance once it is cooked.
Serve with coconut chutney or sambhar.
Finally I learnt how to make a nice and crispy rava dosa. You need a lot of patience to make it. I usually do multi-tasking(like cutting veges or loading the dishes :)) when I prepare rava dosa for dinner.
