Paala Undrallu and Kudumulu - Vinayaka Chavathi Naivedyam

Today is Vinayaka Chavithi aka Ganesh Chaturthi festival, dedicated to Lord Ganesha, God of Wisdom and Prosperity. It is celebrated on the Suddha Chavithi day (the fourth day after the no-moon day) of the lunar month Bhadrapada maasam (August/September).

Lord Vinayaka is said to be fond of “Undrallu” which is mainly prepared from rice flour. Hardly any ghee/oil is used to prepare undrallu as they are prepared by way of steaming which makes them low fat unlike most festive foods which are high in calories. Different varieties of undrallu both savory (kudumulu) and sweet ones are prepared and offered as naivedyam/prasadam to Lord Vinayaka.


Paala Undrallu are sweet flavored and prepared from rice flour, milk, grated coconut, seasame seeds and sugar. Very simple to prepare with a subtle sweet flavor.

Paala Undrallu Recipe :

Cooking Time: 30 mts

Cuisine: Andhra.



Ingredients:


-> 1 cup rice flour

-> 2 1/2 cups water

-> 1 cup sugar (you can reduce the quantity)

-> 1 cup grated coconut

-> 1 cup milk

-> 1/2 cup seasame seeds (dry roast for a mt and grind to a coarse pwd)

-> ¼ tsp elachi pwd (cardamom)
Method :

1. Bring 2 cups of water to boil and add the rice flour and immediately cover it with a lid without stirring and reduce heat. Let it cook for 4-5 mts. Turn off heat and cool. Make small balls and keep aside.
2. In another vessel add the sugar and water and bring it boil. Reduce heat and add the grated coconut and stir for a few seconds. Add the rice flour balls and mix.
3. Add the milk and let the balls cook in this syrup for 3-4 mts. Now add the ground seasame seeds pwd and combine well. The consistency should be a slightly thick syrup. Turn off heat. Sprinkle ground elaichi pwd.

Kudumulu or Undrallu are savory rice balls made from rice ravva and bengal gram dal. Very simple to prepare and absolutely healthy as its steamed.



Undrallu/Kudumulu Recipe :


Cooking Time: 15-20 mts other than soaking rice and grinding to a coarse pwd

Cuisine: South Indian.



Ingredients:

-> 2 cups raw rice, washed, dried completely and ground to a coarse pwd similar to sooji

-> 4 cups water

-> 1/4 cup Bengal gram / chana dal (soak in water for 5-10 mts and drain)

-> ½ tsp cumin seeds (optional)

-> 1 tsp ghee
Method :

1. Heat ghee in a pan and add the soaked channa dal and fry the dal for a second or two.
2. Immediately add water and salt, bring to a boil. Once it reaches boiling point, immediately add the ground rice ravva and stir continuously ensuring that no lumps are formed and once all the water is absorbed and appears like a big lump, cover and cook for 4-5 mts. Turn off heat and cool.
3. Once cool, make big lemon sized balls of the cooked mixture. Undrallu are ready to be offered to Lord Ganesha as naivedyam.

Note:

These days rice ravva is available in most stores and all you need is to add this ravva to boiling water instead of the tedious process of soaking and grinding the dried rice.