This is one common dish in chettinad homes. My grandma used to prepare this whenever the whole family gets together. Its one of the delicious dishes that she prepares, though I had never given attention to how she prepares it, I love them. I used to get into the kitchen and sneak, when ever it is ready, grab some of these balls and have it when its hot. Its very yummy :). Now away from my family , and have ample amount of time wanted to eat this by any chance. Got the recipe from my grandma and here it goes…
Ingredients:
Par boiled rice (Idly rice) : 1 cup
Green chili – 3 chopped
curry leaves – 1 tea spoon
Red onion – 1/2 chopped
mustard seeds – 1/2 teaspoon
cumin seeds – 1/2 teaspoon
urad dal – 1/2 teaspoon
channa dal – 1/2 teaspoon
Salt : 1 teaspoon
Oil : 2 table spoon
Method:
Soak the rice for 1 hour. After 1hr of soaking, grind the rice and salt in mixer. Grind it coarsely. Don’t make it smooth. Mix one cup water to this.
Heat a griddle/ non stick pan with oil. Add mustard seeds, urad dal, channa dal, cumin seeds. Let them crack. Keep your stove in low. Now add the curry leaves. Add onion and green chilies. Let the onion turn translucent. Let it cook for 2 to 3 mins, not more than that. Add the ground rice with water. You should go on stirring. Otherwise the rice would form lumps and stick to the base. At the stage where you find that the rice gets bonded, thick and they will not stick to the base. It gets together and you can make balls out of it. Now stop the stove. Let this cool for 2 minutes.
You can make them in which ever shape you want, I would prefer the round shape. If it sticks to the hand you can grease you hands with little oil and do it. Now steam them in idly pot or a stock pan. Steam can be done in high also. It took 8 mins for me. This can be had without any side dish.
Malar's Kitchen 