Upma Kozhukattai Recipe - How to Make Upma Kozhukattai

Arisi upma aka idli rava aka cream of rice, is a coarsely powdered rice of a particular variety that is used to make idlis, a South Indian delicacy. I didn't know about the existence of such a thing until we were invited to a relative's place for dinner. She had cooked these amazingly light, yummy kozhakkattai (steamed rice balls) and even though there were other dishes in the menu, I had just these for dinner. The picture is from her table since I don't see myself making this any time soon. TH is averse to anything steamed, unfried and healthy, of course!

Note: I also make idli with idli rava and that recipe gives lovely, soft idlis so check that out too. Idli rava is much easier to grind that regular rice used for idlis. You may also want to check out this easy veg rava upma recipe, the easiest breakfast you can put together in less than 15 minutes.

Pin
So here is the recipe from the horse's mouth. Thank you Seetha aunty for introducing me to this lovely and authentic recipe :). For a sweet kozhukkattai recipe, check out this vella kozhukkattai recipe, popularly made during Ganesh Chaturthi.


Upma Kozhukkattai Recipe

Ingredients:
(serves 4)
Idli rava / cream of rice - 2 cups
Grated coconut - ½ cup
Water - 4 to 5 cups
Salt - ½ tsp
For tempering:
Oil - 1 tbsp
Chana dal / kadala paruppu - ½ tsp
Mustard seeds - ¼ tsp
Dried red chillies - 3, torn into pieces
Curry leaves - a few

How to make Upma Kozhukkattai:

1. Heat oil in a wide bottomed pan and when hot enough, add the mustard seeds and wait until they pop. Then add the chana dal, curry leaves and red chillies and fry on low heat for a minute.

2. Add the water and bring to boil.

3. Next, add salt, coconut, and the idli rava, little at a time, mixing continuously so that no lumps are formed. The resulting mixture should be watery. Close the pan and let the rava cook until the mixture becomes thicker thank, say, scooping consistency.

4. Let it cook a bit, adjust salt and make oval shaped balls with it. Steam for 10 mins or so and serve hot with some chutney of choice.