SPICY Guilt free steamed dumpling (kara pidi kolukattai)

These dumplings are easy to prepare with minimal ingredients that you can always find stored in your refrigerator. Plus, no deep frying with immersed oil dripping all the way through the food that sometimes leaves us with a sudden sense of guilt and repentance. This dumpling recipe is spicy and doesn't even need any condiment to dip. For me it's a worth trying dish not because I'm posting it here on my blog. Enjoy.

From the left to right : Idli and spicy steamed dumpling (kara pidi kolukattai)

Ingredients :

Rice flour or Idiyappam flour (can get it from any Indian stores) : 1 cup
Yellow moong dal (the one without skin) : 1 tbsp (soaked for 2 hours) 
Green chillies : 4 (I f you can stand the heat)
Grated coconut : 1/4 cup
Fresh ginger :  1 1/2 inches
Asofetida or hing :  a pinch (optional)

Mustard seeds : 1/2 tsp

Cumin seeds : 1/2 tsp
Dry red chillies : 1 (remove the seeds and nick it to small pieces)
Indian sesame oil or any cooking oil : 1/2 tbsp
Boiled water : as needed
Salt : as needed

Method :

1. Grind the green chillies, grated coconut, asofetida, ginger piece and salt by adding little water to form a smooth green paste. 

2. In a heated pan, pour 1/2 tbsp of oil and start tempering the mustard seeds till they sputter and gradually add in the cumin seeds, dry red chilli. Start mixing the blended green paste with 1/8 cup of water. Let it boil for 5 minutes to get rid of the raw chilli smell.

3. After that, switch off the stove. To the same pan, add a cup of rice flour and start mixing green paste, flour and add the soaked yellow moong dal together. At this point, water may not enough so you will need to add only boiled water to form a non sticky pliable and smooth dough.

4. You may shape the dough into desirable patterns or round balls. Steam the balls in a steamer for a good 15 - 20 minutes.

5. Serve hot as it is or with chilli sauce.

-Abby