Ellu Kozhukattai, also known as Sesame Seed Modak, is a traditional South Indian sweet dish made with a sweetened sesame seed filling and a rice flour outer covering. It is often prepared during festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi. Here’s the recipe:
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Ready in: 50 minutes
Ingredients:
For the outer covering:
- 1 cup rice flour
- 1.5 cups water
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon oil
For the sweet sesame seed filling:
- 1 cup sesame seeds (white or black)
- 1/2 cup jaggery, grated
- 1/4 cup grated coconut
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
- A pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Dry roast the sesame seeds in a pan on low heat until they turn golden brown and release a nutty aroma. Remove from heat and let them cool.
- Grind the roasted sesame seeds into a coarse powder using a blender or food processor. Transfer the powdered sesame seeds to a bowl.
- In a pan, melt the jaggery on low heat until it becomes a thick syrup. Add the grated coconut, ground sesame seeds, cardamom powder, and a pinch of salt to the pan. Mix well until all the ingredients are combined and the filling is sticky. Remove from heat and let it cool.
- In a separate pan, bring water to a boil. Add salt and oil to the boiling water. Reduce the heat to low and gradually add the rice flour while stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Cook the mixture until it thickens and forms a dough-like consistency.
- Remove the pan from heat and let the dough cool slightly. Knead the dough well until it becomes smooth and pliable.
- Divide the dough into small lemon-sized balls. Flatten each ball with your fingers or using a rolling pin to form a small disc. Place a spoonful of the sweet sesame seed filling in the center of each disc.
- Carefully fold the edges of the disc over the filling, pinching and pleating them together to seal the filling inside. Repeat the process for the remaining dough and filling.
- Steam the filled kozhukattai in a steamer or idli cooker for about 10-12 minutes until the outer covering becomes soft and cooked.
- Once cooked, remove the kozhukattai from the steamer and let them cool slightly before serving.
Ellu Kozhukattai is ready to be served as a sweet delicacy during festivals or as a dessert. Enjoy these delicious sesame seed-filled dumplings with a touch of sweetness.
