Steamed Rice Balls with Brinjal Gosthu

Soak tur dal for 15-20 minutes in hot water. After that, drain the water completely, grind it coarsely and keep it aside.

Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds, when it splutters, add asafoetida, red chillies and curry leaves.

Then add ground tur dal and sauté for a few minutes.

Add grated coconut and sauté for 3-4 minutes.

Add 2 cups of hot water and needed salt. The quantity of water will differ (approximately 2-2 1/2 cups for 1 cup of rice rava) according to the quality of rice.

When water starts boiling, lower the heat and add the rice rava slowly with one hand and keep stirring with your other hand.

Cook on medium flame, stirring from time to time until all the water evaporates and the upma leaves the sides of the pan. Leave it to cool.

Dip your hands slightly in water and make oval shaped balls out of it. (dipping hands in water prevent the upma from sticking to your hands).

Bring water to boil in a steamer or idli cooker, place the kozhukattai on the greased idli mold or steamer.

Steam cook the kozhukattais for 15-20 minutes. (You can use idli cooker or pressure pan for steaming. Do not use weight/whistle for pressure pan while steaming).

Delicious Upma kozhakattai is ready.

Cut brinjal into small pieces or cubes.

Soak tamarind in 1 1/4 cup of warm water, extract the juice and discard the pulp. Keep it aside.

Heat oil, add mustard seeds, when it splutters, add curry leaves.

Add onions and sauté until it turns transparent.

Add green chillies, chopped brinjals, turmeric powder, salt needed and sambar powder.

Cook covered on low flame stirring from time to time until the brinjals are three fourth cooked. You can sprinkle a little water in between while cooking.

Then add chopped tomatoes and cook until the tomatoes are mushy.

Once tomatoes are cooked, add tamarind extract and boil until the raw flavor goes.

You can add 1/2 tsp of rice flour mixed with a little water in the end to thicken if needed but not necessary. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot with upma kolukattai.

Serve Upma Kozhukattai with brinjal gothsu. A delicious and easy recipe that you can prepare for dinner or even for lunch. Perfect for vegans and vegetarians.