Avarekaalu Akki tari Kadabu (Steamed Cream of Rice balls)

This dish has different names in different regions.  In Mangalore it is called pundi katti and in Bangalore kadabu. This dish is made for breakfast with cream of rice.  Ideally, rice is washed and dried in shady cool  place and processed to cream of rice texture and then prepared for the authentic taste.

Avarekaalu Akki tari Kadabu

Ingredients:

Cream of Rice - 2 cups
Water - 4 cups
Avarekaalu (Lilva papdi) - 1 cup
Cilantro chopped -  1/4 cup
Green chillies - 4 or more per taste
Ginger grated - 1 inch
Coconut grated - 1/4 cup
Lemon juice - of half a lemon
Butter - 1 tsp
Salt to taste

Seasoning:
Olive oil - 4 tsp
Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
Urad dhal - 1/2 tsp
Chana dhal - 1/2 tsp
Asafoetida - a pinch
Curry leaves - 2 strings

Method:
1.  Cook avarekaalu in water with salt till tender.  Drain and set aside.
2.  Take olive oil in a pan and make a seasoning of mustard seeds, asafoetida, cumin seeds, urad dhal, chana dhal, curry leaves.  Add the water, salt, cooked avarekaalu and boil.  Reduce the heat and add the cream of rice.  Also, add, the grated ginger, green chillies, lemon juice, chopped cilantro.
3.  Keep stirring and cooking till all the water is absorbed.
4.  Add a tsp of butter for flavor.
5.  After it has cooled a little make oval shaped balls applying a little oil on your hand.
6.  Steam the rice balls (kadabus)  in a steamer for 15 to 20 minutes.
7.  Serve with coconut chutney.