Alli Pidi /Paal Kozhukatta

Alli Pidi/Pal Kozhukatta

Alli Pidi or is it mani puttu or paal Kozhukatta, I am not exactly sure what the name of this breakfast/snack recipe.If my grandmother(mom's mother) see this recipe she will call it a slightly different version of maniputtu. Maniputtu is actually steamed rice balls soaked in coconut milk. I feel that there is no cooking process involved in the second stage. Mani puttu in South Kerala is a totally different recipe.It is steamed thicker  string hoppers/idiyappam and coconut. ( will post that version some other time).
Now what ever be its name this recipe is worth trying. It is really quick and delicious treat and was one of my favorite after school snack. At home it was usually prepared with left over idiyappam dough and it was relished by every one. It is steamed rice balls stewed in sweetened and flavored coconut milk sauce. You can shape the dough into balls or cylindrical.

Ingredient
Roasted Rice flour ( idiyappam flour)- 1 cup
Roasted cumin powder- 1/3 tsp(optional)
Grated coconut- 1/3 cup
salt to taste
Hot water- 3/4 cup
(Between 3/4 and one cup)
ghee a few drops

Thin coconut milk- 1 1/2 cup
Thick coconut milk- 3/4 cup
Sugar- 3 Tbs
( according to your taste)
Rice flour- 1/2 tsp
Dry ginger powder- 1/3 tsp (chukku)
Cardamon- 4-5

Bring water and salt to a boil. Mix rice flour with roasted cumin powder and grated coconut ( you can also make a paste of these two ingredients and add). Pour over boiling water and mix well with a spoon and bring it together as a dough. Cover and keep aside till it is warm enough to touch knead into a dough similar to idiyappam dough. Grease hand with a little ghee and roll into small balls and steam in a idly cooker or a pressure cooker( without putting its weight or whistle). Steam for around three to four minutes. Allow it to cool down.
Heat thin coconut and add the steamed balls. Allow this to simmer in medium flame for about three minutes.Add sugar, cardamom powder and dry ginger powder and mix well. Mix 1/2 tsp of rice flour( only if necessary to thicken a bit) in thick coconut milk and allow to warm up and thicken. Enjoy when it is slightly warm.

Try this
Hope you will all enjoy.