So satisfying and bursting with spice and flavour, Girija Paati's kara kozhulattai (spicy modak) recipe was basically invented by her mother to use up the extra dumpling dough without wastage while feeding an ever growing family.
Over the decades it became a family staple and now, not one Ganesh Chathurthi celebration goes by without a plate, or should we say many plates, of this delicacy being gobbled up.
Serves 2Ingredients - Rice Dough Shell
* Water - 280 gms
* Rock salt
* Ghee - 1 tsp
* Raw Maavu Rice - 100 gms
Seasoning (all to taste)
* Red Chilli powder - approx 1 tsp (medium spicy) - 2 tsps (very spicy)
* Asafoetida Powder - approx 1/2 to 3/4 tsp
* Salt - approx 1 tsp
* Oil - as required
Method:
1. Wash the raw rice, spread out in a thin layer on a fine muslin towel and air dry. Grind the rice into a fine flour
2. Heat the water in a kadai, drop a rock of salt and a spoon of ghee into the hot water. Flame stays on.
3. Pour the rice flour gently into the kadai and stir as you pour. Make sure there are no big lumps.
4. Once the rice dough is fully combined take it off the heat, oil your hands and continue to smooth out the lumps in the dough till it’s completely even with no lumps.
5. Roll the dough into a loose ball and top with salt, red chilli powder and asafoetida. Fold, mash and mix the spices with the dough till it’s evenly distributed. Use a dash of oil, as required, to prevent sticking.
6. Make small balls out of this spicy dough.
7. Grease the idli plate with oil, lay out the balls on the plate and steam in a cooker. Let the steam build on high heat for 5 minutes, then turn down the flame and cook for another 2 minutes before turning off the flame.
8. Serve with love.
Fairly simple to make once the rice dough is ready, these little bites of fire are perfect for snacking on as you watch a lazy, holiday afternoon movie with the family.
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