CARROT AND OATS PIDI KOZHUKATTAI
 Rice being the staple food of the whole of South India , most of the Palagarams in this region like Idlies , Dosas , Aapams and Uthappams are also prepared using rice and lentils. Pidi Kozhukattai is another traditional steamed dish prepared using broken rice and lentils. Many people nowadays try to cut down on their rice intake due to their sedentary life styles and opt for healthier substitutes. Here is a healthy version of Pidi Kozhukattai known as Kadubu in Kannada prepared using Oats , Lentils and Carrots .

Recipe and Pictures Courtesy: Vidya Murali

INGREDIENTS

Oats - 2 Cups
Split Pigeon Peas / Tur Dal - 2 tbsps ( Soaked, drained and coarsely broken)
Carrot - 1 ( Grated )
Fresh coconut gratings - 2 tbsps
Sesame oil - 1 tbsp
Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
Split black gram dal - 1 tsp
Green chillies - 2 ( Chopped )
Fresh ginger ( grated ) - 2 tsps
Curry leaves - a few
Asafoetida - 1 pinch
Salt - 3/4 tsp
Curds - 2 tbsps (Optional)
METHOD
1. Dry roast Oats till it turns brown emanating a pleasant nutty aroma and keep it aside .



2. Heat oil in a kadai and splutter mustard seeds followed by split black gram dal.
3. When the dal turns golden in colour add asafoetida, green chillies, ginger and curry leaves.
4.  Stir in carrot gratings and add two cups of water.
5. Add salt, coconut gratings and curds ( Omit curd if you are vegan ) and bring it to a boil.
6. Stir in roasted Oats and broken dal, cover and cook on medium flame till it absorbs all the water.
7.Take a scoop of the cooked Oats and shape it into a Kozhukattai using your wet palms without pressing too much.
8. Make all the Kozhukattais similarly using the cooked Oats, place them on greased Idly plates and steam them for 6 minutes.
9. Let the Carrot and Oats Kozhukattais rest for ten minutes before you take them out .

Enjoy the healthy Carrot and Oats Kozhukattais with any chutney and gojju / vattal kozhambu of your choice .

 GRATED PUMPKIN RAVA IDLY
After posting Sihi Kumbalakayi Idly using Idly Rava and pumpkin , I wanted to try out Rava Idly with grated pumpkin. It did turn out well and I posted the picture in my Facebook page. Posting the recipe here after there was a request for the recipe from an ardent follower. 

INGREDIENTS
Bansi Rava / Sooji / thick Semolina - 1 cup
Grated pumpkin - 1 cup
Sesame oil - 1 tbsp
Mustard seeds - 1 pinch
Split black gram dal - 1/4 tsp
Bengalgram dal / Chana dal - 1/4 tsp
Cashew nuts - a few
Asafoetida - 1 pinch
Salt - 1/4 tsp
Green chillies ( Chopped ) - 1 tsp
Fresh ginger ( Chopped ) - 1 tsp
Chopped coriander leaves  - 1 tbsp
METHOD
1. Heat one teaspoon of oil and roast Rava / Sooji / Semolina till it emanates a pleasant aroma.
2. Add the grated pumpkin to the roasted Rava after it cools down.
3. Heat the remaining oil in a pan and splutter mustard seeds.
4. Add the dals followed by cashew nuts and roast till they become golden in colour.
5. Add asafoetida and pour the seasoning into the Rava Pumpkin mixture.
6. Mix in the chopped green chillies, ginger , salt and coriander leaves.
7. Mix thoroughly adding very little water. You may even add about two table spoons of curd .
8. Set it aside for 15 minutes, while you grease and prepare the Idly plates.
9. The mixture should be just wet enough to hold when you make a ball out of it. If it is too dry and crumbly sprinkle little more water.
10. Take a ball of the Rava Pumpkin mixture and gently pat and pack it into the Idly plate.
11. Pat and pack the entire Rava Pumpkin Idly mixture into all the greased Idly moulds  and steam them for fifteen minutes in a pressure cooker.
Remove them gently after about fifteen minutes and enjoy with Coconut and Fried gram chutney.
COCONUT AND FRIED GRAM CHUTNEY
Freshly grated coconut - 2 cups
Fried Gram - 2 tbsps
Green chilly - 1 big
Fresh ginger - 1'' piece
Salt - 1/4 tsp
METHOD
Grind all the ingredients together in a mixer into a smooth chutney of flowing consistency adding enough water. Mix in the juice of half lime. Season with mustard seeds if required and enjoy with your Grated Pumpkin Rava Idlies.