Kaara Kadubu | Kaara Kozhukattai | Savory Dumplings

You need:

For the dough:
Processed rice flour – 1 cup
Salt – to taste

For savory filling:
Toor dhal – 1/2 cup
Gram dhal – a little less than 1/4 cup
Urad dhal – 2 tablespoons
Red chillies- 5
Curry leaves – a few
Mustard seeds – 1 teaspoon
Asafoetida – a pinch
Oil- 2 teaspoons
Salt to taste.

For the dough:

1. Mix salt and processed rice flour.
2. Heat 1 1/2 cups of water in a heavy bottomed pan.
3. Bring to a boil ,simmer and slowly stir in the processed rice flour.
4. The dough has to be stirred continuously to avoid lumps.
5. Keep stirring till the dough comes together as a ball and is glossy.
6. Test it by taking a bit of dough and shape into a ball.The ball should not break.This is the right stage,the dough it is done.
7. Remove from heat and let it cool a little.
8. When it cools enough to be handled,grease your hands and knead well for 5 minutes.

For the filling:

1. Soak the 3 dhals for 2 hours.
2. Drain well and grind to a coarse paste along with red chillies and salt.
3. Heat oil in a pan and add the mustard seeds.
4. When it crackles,add the asafoetida,curry leaves and the ground paste.
5. Stir well and cook for a few minutes.
6. Remove form heat.

To assemble:

1. Prepare the filling first and keep it aside.
2. When the dough is still warm make small balls.
3. Shape them into small circles and keep a little bit of the the filling in it and close with the other half [Semicircle].

1. Arrange in a steamer and steam for 15 minutes or till done.

Note:Each variety of rice flour will absorb water differently.So keep some extra hot water handy when preparing the dough
If you are in a hurry to prepare kaduvu,use plain rice flour instead of processed rice flour.