Monday, August 13, 2012

Ellu Kozhukattai




I always considered making kozhukattais a herculean task. Making the outer layer, preparing the filling and then assembling the kozhukattais and finally steaming them. Now that is quite a lot of work isn’t it. Maybe that was one of the reasons why, my mom did not prepare it much. Poornam kozhukattais signified, Vinayagar Chathurthi, hence would be prepared once in a year on the particular day.  Also, my mom and grandmom, made only 2 kinds of kozhukattais, one sweet with a coconut and jaggery filling and the other a savoury version with Urad dal.

 But after marriage, I saw my MIL making these kozhukattais, every month for Sankatahara Chathurthi. She fasts on this day until moon rise and prepares poornam kozhukattais as offering to Lord Ganesha. I was amazed at the ease with which she prepared these kozhukattais. Not even a single one would crack or break. They turn out perfect each and every time. Also I discovered that apart from the 2 fillings which I was familiar with, a whole lot of different fillings and variations could be done to get yummy and delicious kozhukkatais. Out of the various fillings which my Mil prepares, the sesame and jaggery is my favourite. I just love the flavour of sesame in it.
The outer layer can be prepared in many ways, here I have described using rice flour (idiyappam flour). It can also be prepared by soaking and grinding raw rice. Will try to post that also soon, meanwhile enjoy these:



Makes about 10 Medium sized kozhukattais

What you’ll need
For the filling
  1. White Til/Ellu/Sesame – ½ cup
  2. Powdered Jaggery – ½ cup

For the outer covering
  1. Rice flour (Idiyappam flour) – ½ cup
  2. Hot water – ½ cup + 1/4 cup use only if required
  3. Coconut Oil /Sesame oil – 1 tsp + for greasing
  4. Salt – a pinch

Method
  1. Dry roast the sesame seeds till golden brown. Cool.
  2. Powder the sesame in a mixer jar. Pulse for 30 secs then again for 30 secs and check. Do not run the mixer for a long time else oil will start releasing from the sesame.
  3. Now add the powdered jaggery and pulse again till they are mixed well. Transfer into a bowl.
  4. Form small balls out of this powder. No need to add any ghee or water for binding. It maybe a little difficult to form the balls, but they will be formed.
  5. For the outer covering
  6. Bring 1 cup of water to boil. Add a tsp of coconut oil or sesame oil.
  7. Take the idiyappam flour in a bowl, add a pinch of salt and mix well.
  8. Now add ½ cup of hot water to the flour and mix well with the help of a wooden spatula. Add more water if required. Knead into a smooth dough.
  9. Grease your palms and pinch out small lemon sized balls out of the dough. Flatten the dough in your palms and place a sesame jaggery ball in the center. Gather the edges and seal the filling forming a peak at the top. (just like you would do for the stuffed paratha). Prepare more kozhukattais using the remaining dough and filling.
  10. Heat a steamer, you can also use the idli stand. Place the kozhukattais one by one without touching each other and steam for 10 minutes or until the outer layer is shiny.



Note:
  1. Always keep a little extra hot water, and add the water depending on the requirement. Amount of water may vary depending on the quality of rice powder.

Variations:
  1. You could add a little coconut scrapings in the filling.
  2. You can also flavour the filling with cardamom, but I like the sesame flavour and did not flavour it with anything else.

Linking this to this month’s magic mingle Sesame and Jaggery
Also linking to Celebrate - Month of Shravan hosted by Sangee

26 comments:

Recipe world said...

Nice recipe dear..would love to try it sometime!

Mélange said...

That's an extremely sweet post from you Kaveri.the thing is,even I feel the same.Now that I am wondering how can one come with such pretty equal sized ones ? haha..truly a yummy job and the filling is truly a temptation.Sesame and jaggery..What more to ask for dear ?

Saraswathi Ganeshan said...

My favourite..and these are so cute..

Sanoli Ghosh said...

Very cute and lovely recipe. Perfectly made. Will surely try it.

Unknown said...

cute perfect kozhukattai...

Unknown said...

Perfect & delicious, we stuff it with coconut & jaggery filling. Would love to try ellu as I like the flavor.

Roshni said...

kaveri, u have made it sooo perfectly.... loved it. this was what I wanted to make for the event. but then i wanted to make it only for pullayar chathurthi... don't have enthu to make twice... loved reading your writeup as well

Unknown said...

Yummy kozhukattai...Looks very perfect n neat presentation..

virunthu unna vaanga said...

very yummy n cute kozhukattai...
VIRUNTHU UNNA VAANGA

Jeyashris Kitchen said...

I never tried this one or tasted too. Perfectly done and nicely presented

Shobha said...

Delicious festive preparation..

Priya Suresh said...

Prefect looking kozhukattais, beautifully presented Kaveri.

Unknown said...

Pakkavey romba pramadhama irruku, Kaveri! - They have turned out simple PERFECT! Would love to taste them - hee hee :)

The Pumpkin Farm said...

loved th way you have presented it...

Julie said...

Super cute,yummy filling & nicely shaped..Great presentation,Kaveri:-)

Do join in the ongoing Events of EP Series-Curry leaves OR Red Dry Chillies @ Spicy Aroma

Swathi said...

Beautiful Kaveri, practice makes everything perfect. Love this sesame filling.

Kavitha said...

yummy kozhkattai....looks perfect and its my favorite....

http://eezy-kitchen.blogspot.com/

Sangeetha M said...

perfect kozhukattai...loved your sesame-jaggery filling, we make it differently :)
Neatly presented with inviting pictures...love it!!

Nisha said...

Perfect !

kitchen queen said...

lovely and delicious kuzhakattai

runnergirlinthekitchen.blogspot.com said...

Cute and my all time favourite

Unknown said...

wow.. its so cute..

Suchitra Vaidyaram said...

awesome pics and lovely kozhukattai! (tweeted it)

Shylaja said...

Kolukattai looks perfect.Nice clicks and wonderful presentation

Anonymous said...

Great site...please add :

1) Karuvadam (Vengaya..Vazathandu..normal..etc)
2) Veeplakatti
3) Kaduku Mangai
4) Pola Vadam
5) Kothambali Poddi
6) Thengai Poddi

Raghu

lalitha said...

U made me remember my although she makes sweet poornam kozhukattai

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