Thiruvathirai Kali, also known as Thiruvathirai Ezhu Kari Kootu, is a traditional South Indian sweet dish made during the Thiruvathirai festival, which is celebrated in Tamil Nadu. It's a delicious sweet pudding made with rice, jaggery, and coconut. Here's a traditional recipe to make Thiruvathirai Kali:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup raw rice
- 1 cup jaggery (grated or powdered)
- 1/2 cup grated coconut
- 1/4 cup moong dal (split yellow lentils)
- 3 cups water
- 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
- A pinch of salt
- Ghee (clarified butter) for greasing the pan
Instructions:
1. Wash the raw rice and moong dal together under running water until the water runs clear. Soak them in water for about 30 minutes.
2. After soaking, drain the water from the rice and dal mixture.
3. Grind the rice and dal mixture into a coarse paste using a blender or food processor. Add a little water if needed to facilitate grinding, but make sure not to make it too watery. The consistency should be slightly coarse.
4. In a heavy-bottomed pan or kadai, heat the grated jaggery along with 1/2 cup of water over medium heat. Stir continuously until the jaggery melts completely and forms a syrup.
5. Strain the jaggery syrup through a fine sieve to remove any impurities. Return the strained syrup to the pan.
6. Add the grated coconut to the jaggery syrup and mix well. Let it cook for a few minutes until the coconut is slightly cooked.
7. Add the ground rice and dal mixture to the pan, stirring continuously to prevent lumps from forming.
8. Add the remaining 2 1/2 cups of water to the pan and mix well to combine.
9. Cook the mixture over medium-low heat, stirring continuously, until it thickens and starts to leave the sides of the pan. This may take about 15-20 minutes.
10. Once the mixture thickens, add the cardamom powder and a pinch of salt. Mix well.
11. Continue to cook the mixture for a few more minutes until it reaches a pudding-like consistency.
12. Grease a plate or tray with ghee. Transfer the cooked Thiruvathirai Kali mixture to the greased plate and spread it evenly using a spatula.
13. Allow the Kali to cool for a few minutes before cutting it into pieces.
14. Serve the delicious Thiruvathirai Kali as a sweet treat during the Thiruvathirai festival or on any special occasion.
Enjoy the authentic flavors of Thiruvathirai Kali with your family and friends!
