Undrallu holds a special place in South Indian cuisine, especially during festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi. These delightful steamed dumplings are made from rice flour and have the most wonderful, soft texture. What I love about this recipe is how it brings families together – there’s something magical about shaping these little dumplings with your loved ones. The addition of channa dal gives them a lovely texture, while fresh coconut adds a subtle sweetness. Don’t worry if you’re new to making dumplings – this recipe is quite forgiving and perfect for beginners.
About the Recipe
This Undrallu recipe is your gateway to authentic South Indian cooking. You should try this because it’s incredibly versatile – serve them as breakfast, evening snacks, or during religious festivals. The recipe uses simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. What makes this dish special is its wholesome nature and the fact that it’s completely steamed, making it a healthy option. The combination of textures from the soft rice flour base and the slight bite from channa dal creates something truly delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First, these dumplings are without a doubt delicious and have such a comforting, homey taste. The steaming process makes them incredibly soft and easy to digest, which is perfect for all ages. You’ll love how the coconut adds natural sweetness without being overwhelming. Plus, they’re naturally gluten-free and vegan-friendly. The recipe is also quite economical – a small amount of ingredients yields plenty of dumplings. And here’s the best part: they taste even better the next day, making them perfect for meal prep. The aroma while they’re steaming will fill your kitchen with the most wonderful smell.
Cooking Tips
Make sure your rice flour is completely dry before using – any moisture can make the dough sticky. When adding rice flour to boiling water, stir continuously to prevent lumps from forming. If the dough feels too dry, add a tablespoon of warm water at a time. Don’t overmix the coconut – just fold it in gently. Keep the steaming plate well-greased to prevent sticking.
Serving and Storing Suggestions
This recipe serves 4-6 people and takes about 45 minutes total. Serve Undrallu hot with coconut chutney or jaggery for dipping. They’re perfect for breakfast or as an evening snack with tea. Store leftover dumplings in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, just steam them again for 3-4 minutes until warm.
Similar Recipes
- Kozhukattai (Tamil steamed dumplings)
- Modak (Sweet rice flour dumplings)
- Idli (Fermented rice cakes)
- Puttu (Steamed rice cake)
Nutrient Benefits
Undrallu provides good carbohydrates from rice flour and protein from channa dal. The coconut adds healthy fats and fiber to your diet. Since they’re steamed rather than fried, they’re light on the stomach and easy to digest. Channa dal is rich in folate and iron, making these dumplings nutritious for growing children and adults alike.
Undrallu
Ingredients
- 1 cup Rice Flour
- 2 tbsp Channa Dal
- 1/2 tsp Cumin Seeds
- as per taste Salt
- 1 tbsp Ghee
- 2 cup Water
- 1/4 cup Coconut Grated
Instructions
- Soak the rice for 2 hours.
- Drain the excess water and dry them in a dry white cloth.
- When the rice is completely dry, blend them in a mixer as a fine powder.
- This can be stored in an air tight container too.
- Wash and soak the channa dal for 1/2 hour.
- Drain the excess water and keep it aside.
- Heat a pan with ghee under medium flame.
- Add the channa dal for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Add the required water and salt to it.
- When it starts to boil, reduce the flame to low.
- Add the rice rava to the boiling water and keep stirring them to avoid any lumps.
- Cook the mixture until the water is fully absorbed.
- Cover with a lid and cook for 5 minutes.
- Keep stirring until the water is absorbed.
- Remove from flame. If you are using coconut, add them now and mix well.
- Cover and keep it aside for 10 minutes.
- Knead the mixture to form a dough.
- Make small balls and arrange them in a greased plate.
- Heat a idly streamer or pressure cooker and steam cook them for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Undrallu (Kudumulu) is ready to serve hot.
Recipe Video
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use store-bought rice flour instead of grinding my own?
Yes, you can surely use store-bought rice flour. Just make sure it’s fresh and fine. The homemade version gives slightly better texture, but commercial rice flour works perfectly fine and saves time.
What should I do if my dough is too sticky to shape?
If your dough is sticky, let it cool completely first. Then lightly oil your hands while shaping. You can also add a little dry rice flour to the dough if it’s still too wet.
Can I make Undrallu without coconut?
Without a doubt. Coconut is optional and adds flavor, but the dumplings taste great without it too. Some people prefer the plain version, especially when serving with sweet accompaniments like jaggery.
