What is Kozhukattai
Khara Kozhukattai or Khara Pidi Kozhukattai is a very popular snack or tiffin served in Tambrahm households either for an evening snack or dinner too. Kozhukattai (spelt as KO-ZHU-Ka-Ttai) is a steamed dumpling.
What is Kozhukattai mainly made of?
Mostly made with rice (and a dash of lentils, sometimes), Kozhukattai is a steamed snack. served for evening tiffins (a.k.a palaharam in Tambrahm households) or even for breakfast). This is also sometimes made with either Rice Rava (cream of rice) or white rice too. The traditional way of making this is ground soaked rice batter and then form dumplings. Here is a healthy twist using brown rice. Another quick to make Kozhukattai made mostly during Vinaygar Chaturti / Ganpati festivals in South Indian Tamil households is this Ammini Kozhukttai
Brown Rice has lower GI than white rice, more fibre and may also be eaten (in moderate quantities) by Diabetics too. This whole grain is also a good source of folate, riboflavin (B2), potassium and calcium.
This is my family’s recipe, and we love it made this way with Brown Rice. The recipe is entirely vegan and satvik (no onion no garlic) you may also make it Gluten Free by simply skipping the Asafoetida (hing) added in this recipe.
As this is steamed like Idli, this is very healthy and requires just 2-3 tsp of oil for 4 servings. Do make this healthy snack and let me know how you liked it.
This snack / kozhukattai can be eaten on its own (as its quite spicy) or paired with Coriander chutney like we did. It also goes well with Tamilnadu Style Tiffin Sambhar . The husband man particularly loves this with Morkozhambu or Chettinad Kara Chutney
Other No Onion, No garlic tiffin / breakfast recipes you may like on the blog!
The ingredients are listed below and the detailed method is embedded in my youtube link here. Do visit the channel / video and leave your valuable comments there too !
Tips to make the BEST Pidi Kara Kozhukattai
a. Short grained rice works best for this, although I use Brown basmati too sometimes
b. The consistency of the cooked mass should be cooked through, but not lumpy or gooey. Dumplings cannot be made then
c. Shape the dumplings almost 5-7 mins after makign the mixture. Apply a thin film of oil to your hands if need be to shape them. They can’t be shaped well if the cooked mixture is cooled fully.
d. Sesame oil works best in this recipe for authentic taste and flavour.
Let’s get to making Brown Rice Kara Kozhukattai
Prep time – 10 mins | Cook time – 25-30 mins | Makes – 24 pieces.
PIN FOR LATER
To make Kara Kozhukattai, you would need:
Kozhukattai base mixture (blitz coarse)
- 150 grams Brown Rice
- 4 TBSP Split pigeon pea (Toor Dal / Thuvaram Paruppu)
- 1 tsp Cumin seeds (Jeera)
- 4 Dry red chillies (adjust spice)
- 1/2 tsp Black peppercorn (adjust spice)
Tempering:
- 3 tsp Cooking Oil
- 1 tsp Mustard seeds
- 1 tsp split black gram( Urad dal)
- 1 tsp Bengal gram (Channa Dal)
- 1 sprig Curry leaves
- 2 Green chillies (opt.)
- 1 pinch Asafoetida(hing) – (skip for GF)
Other Ingredients:
- 600 ml Water (or according to rice variety used)
- 5 TBSP Grated Coconut (Fresh or frozen) do NOT skip this, it adds to the softness of this dish
- 1.5 tsp Salt – to taste
How to make Kara Kozhukattai:
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Brown Rice Kara Kozhukattai
Equipment
- 1 Steamer
- 1 Dry Grinder
- 1 Ladle
Ingredients
Kozhukattai base mixture (blitz coarse)
- 150 grams Brown Rice
- 4 TBSP Split pigeon pea Toor Dal / Thuvaram Paruppu
- 1 tsp Cumin seeds Jeera
- 4 Dry Red Chillies adjust spice
- 1/2 tsp Black peppercorn adjust spice
Tempering:
- 3 tsp Cooking Oil sesame oil is preferred
- 1 tsp Mustard Seeds
- 1 tsp split black gram Urad dal / Ulutham Paruppu
- 1 tsp Bengal Gram Channa Dal
- 1 sprig Curry Leaves
- 2 Green Chillies opt.
- 1 pinch Asafoetida hing – (skip for GF)
Other Ingredients:
- 600 ml Water or use according to rice variety used
- 5 TBSP Grated Coconut Fresh or frozen do NOT skip this, it adds to the softness of this dish
- 1.5 tsp Salt salt, to taste
Really healthy dish to have as a snack. I would love to try making this dish. These remind me of the kichi Gujarati's make.
Karakozhukkattai is my childhood fav . Love your brown rice version
Sounds very interesting and delicious, Kalyani. I have not as yet tried making Kozhukattai and this brown rice one is just perfect for the the 2 men in my life. Will make a small batch and see.
am sure the 2 men and you too would like this. it pretty easy, filling and delish too
Brown rice khara kozhukattai looks scrumptious. Delicious snack and a great alternative to the ones with white rice. Love your version Kalyani .
thanks preethi! we love this alternative with brown rice a lot.
Kara kozhukottai is tasty and healthy. We love it at home but never tried with brown rice. I must make it sometime.
thanks Jayashree. Pl do try it sometime
Kalyani another South Indian healthy dish that I’ve had the opportunity to enjoy from my neighbour’s kitchen. Like how you’ve used brown rice. It sure is a healthy snack for breakfast or in between. Have to try my hand at making brown rice kara kozhukattai.
Thanks Mayuri. It sure is healthy and tasty too!
Its a super healthy dish Kalyani. Loved the use of brown rice instead of white rice. A perfect breakfast option. I will try it sometime.
Thanks Sujata. Hope you do try this with brown rice sometime
We love pidi kozhukattai, such an wholesome and a very nostalgic dish for us! Amma makes it in vengala paanai! Using brown rice instead of regular rice is wonderful alternative kalyani! A hearty dish!
I had heard about my MIL too making it in the vengala paanai, Priya!