Mani Kozhukattai With Polenta

Kozhukattai is a steamed cakes made with rice flour generally.  Mani kozhukattai are made in tiny pearl shapes, and in Tamil( South Indian Language)  pearls are referred as Mani - hence the name Mani Kozhukattai.  The recipe which I have given here isn't made with rice flour.  I used polenta to make these kozhukattai, the recipe by itself is very simple to make except the time to make these tiny pearls.  We enjoyed these little spicy pearls as breakfast, you can also have this as a snack.

 

Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Serves 2

Ingredients:
Polenta- 1 cup
Salt- 1/2 tsp

For Spice Mix:
Urad dhal- 2 tbsp
Dried red chillies- 2
Chana dhal- 1/2 tbsp
Curry leaves- 5 leaves

For Seasoning:
Mustard seeds- 1 tsp
Urad dhal- 1 tsp
Dried red chilly- 2
Green chilly- 1 ( optional)
Curry leaves- 6 leaves or 1 stalk
Fresh grated coconut- 1/2 tbsp
Oil- 1/2 tbsp
Salt to taste

Method:
Boil  1 1/2 cups of water in a saucepan along with salt.  When the water comes to boil, reduce the heat to medium, slowly add the polenta stirring continuously without any lumps.  Stir until it forms like lump.  Take it off from heat, let it cool down for 2 to 3 minutes.
Grease your palms with ghee or oil.  Make tiny pearl shape balls using the polenta mixture.  Place the tiny pearlshape balls in a steamer or idli plates and steam for 5 to 10 minutes.
Meanwhile make the spice mixture, start roasting the urad dhal, dried red chilly, chana dhal and curry leaves in a dry pan.  Once the urad dhal colour changes to light brown in colour, take it off from heat and powder it in a blender without adding any water.
Next season the kozhukattai's:
  Heat the oil in a kadai or pan, add the mustard seeds, when it starts spluttering add the urad dhal, curry leaves, dried chilly , coconut and green chilly.  When the coconut and urad dhal colour changes, add the spice powder and mix well.  Keep the heat in low add the kozhukattai's and gently stir to coat with all the spices.  Add salt to taste.   Serve warm as a breakfast or snack.

Tips:
If you think making the tiny pearl shapes take too much time you can spread the polenta mixture in a square pan, cut them into tiny cubes.  Then steam the cubes and follow the same procedure as above.