Kozhukattai | Kozhukattai recipe | Dry fruits Kozhukattai | Dry fruit Modak is rich and delicious Ganesh Chaturthi special offering that is prepared without added sweetener like jaggery/sugar.
What is special about Dry fruits Kozhukattai?
I love using dry fruits on my recipes. Dry fruits laddu, Atta laddu, almond laddu, dates, and oats burfi are few of my family’s favorite. Few years backs I made dry fruits laddu for my son’s snacks. During Ganesh Chaturthi I made Dry fruits kozhukattai with extra dough and it becomes a big hit. The best part of the stuffing is no added sweetener like sugar/jaggery. Dry fruits pooranam is easy to make, stuffing would be ready in minutes. Such healthy snacks for kids and adults. Always a great sweet for pregnant women.
Can I use Mixed nuts instead of Almond flour?
I initially started making dry fruits kozhukattai with mixed nuts. Dry roast the nuts (cashew/ walnut/peanuts/almonds) and coarse powder them without water and add it to dates. While grinding the nuts make sure if is not ground for a long time as it might turn oily. Avoid using pecan as it will turn oily. I prefer using store-bought almond flour as it makes it easy and convenient.
Other Almond flour recipes in TMF
Should I always microwave Dates?
Microwaving dates are optional. Soft dates are easy to grind so I prefer microwaving. Microwave time may vary depending on your dates always do 30 seconds and check. Repeat if required. Instead of microwaving the dates, you can also dry roast the dates till they turn soft. Dates Payasam
Should I pulse the dates like paste?
I usually make dry fruit kozhukattai stuffing like my dry fruits laddu. This time I added little water and tried to grind fine so that it is easy for my toddler to eat. The amount of almond flour depends on the dates grinding. Coarse ground dates require less almond flour.
Can I consume the stuffing as such without making kozhukattai?
Yes, can serve the stuffing as such in the form of laddu or make them like modak ( khajoor modak). If you are planning to save it as khajoor Modak uses less water while grinding dates. Make it like dry fruits Laddu
Can I use store-bought rice flour for making Dry fruits Modak?
Yes, store-bought rice flour can be used. Refer sweet kozhukattai. The amount of water may slightly vary depending on the rice flour you use. Always gave hot water handy.
Ingredients:
Raw rice - 100 grams or 1/2 cup Salt - pinch Cardamom powder - 1/4 tsp Dates - 140 grams (20 nos) Almond powder - 70 grams or 3/4 cup (quantity slightly varies depending on the dates, refer notes) Ghee - 1 tsp Sesame oil /coconut oil - to grease Water - 1 cup
How to make Dry fruits Kozhukattai :
Wash and soak rice for at least 2 hours
Take 1 cup of water and use very little to grind the rice into a fine ground paste. Do not add excess water, as the rice will not be fine-ground with more water After grinding the rice add salt and remaining water to make it a watery batter (Dosa batter consistency) Chop the dates roughly and microwave the pieces for around 30 seconds to turn them soft. Let the dates cool down
Grind the dates with little water and transfer into a plate
Add almond powder, cardamom powder and ghee to the dates paste; mix well and keep aside
Add sesame oil to a pan, and when oil is hot add the ground rice better; mix well
Continuously mix with a ladle till it comes together as a non-sticky dough
Transfer the dough to a plate and cover with a damp cloth
When the dough is still warm, grease your hands with oil and knead the dough well If required sprinkle some hot water to make a smooth dough Make small spheres. Since rice flour is gluten-free they tend to be sticky, so greasing hand with coconut/sesame oil helps to make modak Slowly press the sphere with your hand and make a circle big enough to keep the filling Place a small portion of the dates paste into the circle Fold the circle and bring the outer layer to the top, making a modak shape. Alternatively, mould can also be used.
Similarly, fill all the modak with stuffing Steam cook for 8 - 10 minutes or until the modak looks shiny on the outside and does not stick
Turn off the gas stove. Let the modak sit for 5 minutes before removing. Enjoy it warm
