Thinai/Foxtail Ammini or Mini Kozhukattai

Lord Ganesha, one who removes obstacles and brings prosperity being worshipped by everyone with no reservations.

🌸Ganesh Chathurthi🌸 without a kozhukattai/modak is sacrilege. How could I let you people commit it😉😋. That’s the reason, I came up with this kozhukattai series, where last reel was 🥟 Red Rice Paal Kozhukattai, vegan, gluten free sweet pudding where rice balls are cooked in milk, 🥥 milk, jaggery syrup.

This reel I present you Thinai/Foxtail Ammini or Mini Kozhukattai. The name itself says that these are miniature dumplings. I made these with Thinai idiyappam flour to give a healthy twist. These cooked millet balls are steamed and then tempered with condiments. Definitely it’ll be a kid’s favourite.

Ingredients:

For Kozhukattai:

Thinai/Foxtail millet Idiyappam Flour-1/2 cup

Water-3/4 cup-1 cup (as reqd)

Salt-1/4 tsp

Coconut oil-1 tsp

For Tempering-

Mustard seeds – ½ tsp

Urad dal – ½ tsp

Red round chilli whole – 3-4 small

Curry leaves – as required

Asafoetida – a pinch

Grated coconut – 1 tbsp

Rasam powder- 2-3 tsp (as reqd)

Instructions:

1. Roll boil ¾th cup of water, then add coconut oil and salt to it.
2. Add ½ cup thinai/foxtail millet idiyappam flour to the boiling water and mix it well till no streaks of dry flour are seen.
3. Switch off the flame and close it for 5 minutes and then knead into smooth dough when warm.
4. Make small balls from the dough and steam it in a pressure cooker for 8-10 mins.
5. In a pan add coconut oil, then add mustard seeds, once it splutters, add urad dal, red chilli, curry leaves.
6. Once roasted, add grated coconut, mix well. Then add the steamed thinai/foxtail millet balls.
7. Sauté it and finally add rasam powder (optional if you want it spicy) and asafoetida powder, toss well.

Notes:

• Feel free to try this recipe with regular rice flour or any traditional rice flour, but make sure it’s idiyappam or Kozhukattai flour. If not available, roast the plain flour to get the same results.
• You can substitute ghee for coconut oil if you look for more flavour. The inclusion of coconut oil makes this recipe a vegan diet.
• Always wrap the dough with cling film, pinch small portions and make balls to avoid the entire dough getting dry.