ULUNDHU KOZHUKATTAI

This is the savory version of Kozhukattai made for Vinayaka Chathurthi and Varalakshmi pooja.

Ingredients
Rice flour/Idiyappam flour: 1 cup
Water: 1.25 cups
Salt: a pinch
Sesame oil: 1 tsp

For the filling
Urad dhal: 1/4 cup
Bengal gram dhal: 1 tsp
Grated coconut: 1/4 cup
Green chillies: 1 or 2
Salt: 1/4 tsp
Curry leaves: a sprig
Asafeotida: a pinch
Oil: 2 tsp
Mustard seeds: 1/2 tsp
Urad dhal: 1/2 tsp

Procedure:

1. Soak the urad dhal and bengal gram dhal in water for 1 hour
2. Drain the water and grind it in a mixie/blender without adding water along with green chillies& salt. The mixture could be coarse.
3. Grease an idli mould and steam cook the dhal mixture for 10 minutes (or until a tooth pick inserted comes out clean)
4. Allow this to cool and either crumble with hands or pulse it in a blender (as we do for parppu usili)
5. Heat 2 tsp of oil in a pan and mustard seeds.Once it starts spluttering add urad dhal and curry leaves. Add the asafoetida as well
6. Now add the crumbled urad dhal and saute for a minute.
7. Finally add the grated coconut and switch off the flame
8. Boil 1.25 cups of water in a pan
9. Add salt and sesame oil and switch off the flame
10. Add 1 cup of this water to the rice flour and mix well. Add more only if necessary
11. Once it cools down a bit knead it similar to chappathi dough while it is still warm
12. Divide the dough into 10 equal balls
13. Grease your hands with sesame oil and make the choppu (outer covering) using the dough.
14. Flatten the ball in the palm.Fill 1 tsp of the filling and close the sides
15. Steam cook the kozhukkattais for around 7 - 10 minutes. 

Notes:

• Knead the dough well for softer outer layer. Also grease your hands generously while shaping it
• Do not overcook he kozhukkatais. Otherwise they become hard
• Once the kozhukkattais are assembled, steam cook immediately. If they are allowed to stand for a long time. the kozhukattais might crack
• Also knead the rice flour while it is still warm. Do not allow it to cool completely
• The dough should not be too tight or sticky.

Step by Step pictures