VELLA SEEDAI/SWEET SEEDAI/JANMASHTAMI RECIPES

This is festive time and we celebrate many occasions during the month of august and september.KRISHNA JANMASHTAMI is celebrated with pomp and joy throughout the country and this vella seedai or sweet version of seedai is apt for offering it to GOD.Last post was salt version and this sweet seedai is prepared along with uppu seedai and offered as naivedhyam.It is slightly bigger in size compared to salt seedai and the taste is phenominal.I always remember my childhood days while rolling these out as me and my brother helped our mom.As kids these small events were always special and memories sweet.My daughter helped me this time for making these balls.Here is hoe sweet seedai is made..

INGREDIENTS

Rice Flour	1 cup
Urad Dal Flour	2 tsp
Jaggery	1/2 cup
Cardamom Powder	1/2 tsp
Water	as needed
Coconut(grated)	3 tsp
White Sesame	1/2 tsp
Butter	1tsp
Oil	to deep fry

HOW TO MAKE

• Powder jaggery and add it to a pan of water and make a syrup.Filter it to remove impurities.

• Add the syrup in a wide bowl followed by rice flour,urad dal flour,sesame seeds,cardamom powder,butter and grated coconut.Make a lump free dough.

• Make balls out of the dough.Heat oil in a pan and deep fry the balls in batches.

• Vella Seedai/Sweet Seedai is ready for offering to LORD KRISHNA.

Notes

• Don’t form any lumps while making the dough.
• Don’t make the syrup thick as that will result in hard seedais.
• Don’t make the shape too perfect,just rolling is enough,otherwise seedais tend to break.

Read How to Cook

PARUPPU POLI/KADALA PARUPPU POLI/AVANI AVITTAM RECIPES

Paruppu poli in Tamil Nadu,obbattu in Karnataka or puran poli in Maharashtra,it’s the same name for this sweet indulgence.This is prepared in many households as an offering for different and iam posting this here for the Avani Avittam festival which is on 29th of this month.Avani Avittam is the ceremony for men folks in the house where they change the sacred thread called poonal.And for this the chief attraction is Paruppu Poli and is made with channa dal and jaggery.I make this poli very often as all the family members are fond of this.With practice one can master in making these,though it is not that difficult to make.Let’s see the recipe for Paruppu Poli..

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE DOUGH

Maida	1 cup
Turmeric	1/2 tsp
Sesame Oil	4 tsp
Water	as needed

FOR THE FILLING

Channa Dal	3/4 cup
Jaggery	1/2 cup
Cardamom Powder	1/4 tsp
Coconut(grated)	4 tsp

 

OTHER INGREDIENTS

Ghee	for roasting

 

HOW TO MAKE

• Dry roast channa dal and pressure cook for 3 whistles.

• Place the cooked dal in a blender.Add cardamom powder and grated coconut and grind smoothly.

• Add jaggery and grind once again.Filling is ready.

• Take maida,turmeric powder and sesame oil in a bowl.Add water little by little and form a dough.Add sesame oil generously so that the dough is elastic.

• Make balls out of dough and fillings.

• With the help of a zip lock cover or banana leaf you can make polis.Flatten  the dough and place filling over it.

• Cover the filling with dough.Pat slowly and form the shape as shown.

• Grease a tawa with ghee and slowly place poli on it once it gets heated.

• Kadala Paruppu Poli is ready.Enjoy with dollops of home made ghee on top.

Notes

• Be generous in making the dough with sesame oil.This will result in soft polis.
• If you find the filling little loose,heat it in a pan to become thick and of the desired consistency.
• Ghee should be served alongwith polis as they add more taste to polis.

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MODAKAM/KOZHAKATTAI FOR GANESH CHATURTHI AND VARALAKSHMI POOJA

Modakam is a steamed dumpling with coconut and jaggery stuffing prepared for festivities like Varalakshmi Pooja and Ganesh Chaturthi.God Ganesha is said to be so fond of this sweet and is a must for his offering.It is a long proceedure to make this,but with proper planning your efforts will be well rewarded.Since august and september are months full of festivals and Varalakshmi Pooja and Ganesh Chaturthi are on the cards,iam posting this for the benefit of beginners.See down below the recipe for sweet modakam.


INGREDIENTS
FOR THE DOUGH

Rice Flour	1 cup
Water	1 1/4 cup
Sesame Oil	2-3 tsp
Salt	a pinch

FOR THE COCONUT FILLING(POORNAM)

Coconut(grated)	1 cup
Jaggery	3/4 cup
Cardamom Powder	a pinch
Ghee	1/2 tsp

HOW TO MAKE

• In a pan add water and sesame oil.Allow it to boil.Add the rice slowly.

• Stir well so that no lumps are formed.

• When the texture is soft non sticky and glossy,you know dough is ready.Make small lemon sized balls once cooled out of the dough.

TO MAKE POORNAM

• In a pan add grated coconut and powdered jaggery,ghee and cardamom powder.

• Allow it cook and get with one another well.

• Poornam is ready.When cooled make small balls.

TO MAKE MODAKAM/KOZHUKATTAI

• Make a cup shape out of the dough and place poornam in it.

• Close the ends and form the shape as shown.Steam in a pan or cooker with an idli stand.

• Steam for 8-10 minutes.

• Modakams/Kozhakattai is ready for offering to GOD.

Notes

• You can use store bought rice flour/Idiyappam flour.
• Don’t keep the dough open,cover it with a damp cloth lest it may turn dry.
• If you apply sesame oil to your hands and make cups,the process will come to perfection.

Read How to Cook