Saamai Pidi (Upma) Kozhukattai / Savory Little Millet Dumplings ~ Day 99

This is a healthy, quick and delicious snack to make and is one of my favorite comfort food.  Little millet is available in Indian stores and it is called  Indian Sawa Millet.  Below is a picture of the Upvas brand that I used.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 25 minutes

Yields: 25 Kozhukattais (Dumplings)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ingredients:

• Little millet / Saamai - 3/4 cup
• Cream of rice - 1/2 cup
• Water - 3 cups
• Oil - 2 tbsp
• Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
• Urad dal - 2 tsp
• Green chilies - 4, finely chopped
• Ginger - 1 tbsp, chopped
• Asafoetida - 1/4 tsp
• Grated coconut or coconut pieces - 2 tbsp
• Curry leaves - few,  finely chopped

Method:

1. Heat oil in a deep pan and splutter mustard seeds.  Add urad dal and asafoetida, fry until golden brown.  Add the green chilies, ginger and curry leaves.  Saute for 10 seconds.
2. Add 3 cups of water along with the salt and coconut.  Bring it to a boil.  Add the millet.  
3. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the millet absorbs 75 % of the water.  Now add the cream of rice and cook until all the water is absorbed and the mixture is dry.  Let it cool to the touch.
4. Prepare a steamer.  Take a lemon sized millet mixture and make a dumpling out of it by pressing between your palm.  Place the dumplings in the steamer and steam cook for 10 minutes.
5. Serve with coconut chutney or by itself.