Ragi Kozhukattai

Ragi Kozhukattai is a healthy variation of the traditional Ganesh Chaturthi Kozhukattai. Ragi is an extremely nutritious grain rich in iron, protein and minerals.  This is a healthy twist to the regular modaks.

Ingredients:

• Ragi Flour –  2 cups
• Jaggery – 6 – 8 tblsp
• Water as Required
• Cardamom Powder – 2 tsp
• Ghee – 5 tsp

For the Stuffing:

• Grated Coconut – 1 1/2 cups
• Sesame Seeds – 2 to 4 tblsp, Roasted
• Jaggery  – 1/2 cup
• Cardamom Powder –  a pinch

Method:

• To prepare the outer shell, heat a pan and add  little water to dissolve the jaggery.
• Add the grated jaggery and let it completely dissolve in water .
• Filter the jaggery water and keep it aside.
• To another pan, add ghee and melt it.
• Reduce the flame, add the ragi flour and roast it.
• After a nice aroma, switch off the flame and keep it aside.
• Heat water in a pan and add them to the ragi flour.
• Keep stirring and pour water gradually.
• Make sure no lumps are formed.
• When the flour turns sticky, add ghee and cardamom powder to it and mix well.
• Bring this mixture to boil in low flame to remove excess water.
• Cook until the mixture leaves the side of the pan.
• Add the jaggery syrup and cook in low flame only.
• Keep stirring until the water is absorbed.
• Switch off the flame and cover it.
• Cool the mixture completely and knead them to a soft dough.
• To make the stuffing, add the grated jaggery and water to a pan.
• Dissolve them completely and filter them.
• Heat it again,add the grated coconut and cardamom powder.
• Cook until the mixture turns thick and forms like solid.
• Remove from flame and add the roasted sesame seeds.
• To make the kozhukattai, from the prepared dough, make small balls and flatten them.
• Keep the stuffing inside and seal them.
• Steam them in the idly steamer for 10 minutes.
• Do not over them since the ragi flour is already cooker well.
• Serve them hot.

image via