Red Rice mini snack balls ( சிகப்பு அரிசி நீர் உருண்டை / பிடி கொழுக்கட்டை )

Red Rice Mini Snack Balls / Pidi Kozhukattai 

(சிகப்பு அரிசி நீர் உருண்டை / பிடி கொழுக்கட்டை  )

Main Ingredient:

Red Rice ( சிகப்பு அரிசி )  -  1 cup

For Sweet Version , Ingredients  ( இனிப்பு )

Jaggery / Cane Sugar or Palm Sugar ( வெல்லம் அல்லது கருப்பட்டி ) - 1/4 cup

Fresh Coconut Pieces ( தேங்காய் துண்டுகள் ) - a few pieces

For Savory Version - Ingredients: ( காரம் )

Coconut Pieces ( தேங்காய் துண்டுகள் )  - a few pieces 

Black Pepper ( கருப்பு மிளகு )  - 1/2 tsp

Curry Leaves ( கறிவேப்பிலை ) - a twig 

Coconut oil ( தேங்காய் எண்ணெய்  )  -  1 tsp

Steps:

Wash and soak the rice for an hour. Drain the water. 

Transfer the soaked rice to a blender and blend to a fine paste.

       
 







                                                  

You can add little water to a get a smooth consistency. 

Transfer the rice paste to a heavy bottom pan. Separate the required portion for the sweet dish and keep aside.
To the other portion add a cup of water to cook.

Cook on a medium flame until it cooks to a solid dough

Transfer to a bowl,let it cool. 
Add few finely chopped coconut pieces, salt and knead well to form a smooth dough.

                     

Grease your palm and finger tips and roll out the dough into small balls.

Add water to your steamer vessel / idli vessel.

Transfer the balls/ neer urundai to the steamer plate

Steam for 5 to 8 minutes.

When it does not stick to your skewer, it is time to switch off the flame.

In a skillet, add a teaspoon of coconut oil. When it is hot, add the crushed black peppers and a few curry leaves.
Toss in the seamed  rice balls. Mix well.Switch off the flame.

An evening snack is ready to eat :)

The Sweet version of the steamed mini balls.

Cook the rice paste with required amount of water. In a separate pan, melt and make a syrup of the palm sugar. strain and add it to the cooked rice. stir well to mix uniformly. 

Transfer to a bowl, knead to a smooth dough , add in tiny bits of fresh coconut.
Make oblong shaped pressing with folded fingers or roll into mini balls.
Steam and once tdone, grease with clarified butter / ghee. serve hot. 

My Notes:

This is tradionally made with  normal ponni rice ( white color rice used for meals ). I have given it a twist by using red rice. 

Dry roasted rice powder can also be used. Add boiling water to the rice powder , stir well. Let it stand for a minute. Add a teaspoon of oil and knead well. The dough is ready to be rolled and steamed.

The soft steamed balls with crunchy coconut bits in every bite with the pounded fresh pepper giving a punch is a yummy treat. Simple ingredients yet a great taste. 

You can make the dough before hand, store in a airtight box, thaw and roll the balls in the morning and steam for a quick breakfast or snack box item for kids. 

My Mom used to prepared this as an evening snack when we were kids. Easy for digestion, no oil and so healthy is here belief. A regular snack one can expect after a nap on a Sunday evening. She would alternate this with boiled peanuts or sometimes onion bhaji / வெங்காய தூள் பஜ்ஜி, which was my father' favourite.