During my childhood days, our breakfast was a set schedule. Monday was any kind of dosas, Tuesday used be Chutney sandwich (my fav as a kid ❤️) or Puri Bhaji ( my fav even now ❤️❤️). Wednesday used to be Panpolos, Thursdays and Fridays were again dosa days. You can find all those dosa recipes in my Dosa corner page.

And then came weekends when Annama (my grandmother) and Amma used to make these special, aromatic undis along with my Annama’s special Piyava gojju which is still my most favourite. This spicy, tangy dip takes the undis to another level completely.

Amma taught me to make undis when she had come here to Qatar and I learnt the technique from her. So it’s definitely special for me as it’s something passed on to me by her. Hope I can pass on this to my kids too. If not me (owing to unpredictable life), maybe they will refer this blog and learn in future. 😀

Although all Konkani people know how to make it, this is for those who don’t know about it and my way to preserve our Konkani traditional recipes. Hope you all try and love it too. Happy and healthy cooking! ❤️

RECIPE:

Ingredients: { Makes about 40 small undis}

2 Cups Rice Rava or Idli Rava

4 Cups Water

1/2 Cup Desiccated coconut or freshly grated coconut

2 tsp Oil

1 tsp Mustard seeds

1 tsp Urad dal

1/2 tsp Methi seeds

Salt to taste

Step by step recipe:

1. Wash the rice rava well two to three times till the water turns clear. Drain the water and keep aside till use.

2. Heat oil in a thick bottomed steel or non stick pan. Add mustard seeds, Urad dal and methi seeds. Saute till mustard seeds splutter and urad dal turns light brown in colour.

3. Add 4 Cups Water (for 2 Cups rice rava). Also add salt and coconut. Bring it to a boil.

4. Now add the idli rava and keep mixing continuously on medium flame till the mixture leaves the sides of the pan and the rice rava cooks well.

5. Remove from the flame and allow it to cool slightly.

6. When the mixture is still little hot but has cooled down enough to be handled, make small balls using hands and make a hole using finger as shown in the picture.

7. Repeat the same with the rest of the mixture.

8. Now steam in a steamer for about 15 to 20 mins. Remove and serve hot drizzled with coconut oil on top with Piyava Gojju or any chutney of your choice.

Notes:

* I use only coconut oil or ghee in my cooking and this recipe uses coconut oil like all Konkani recipes. Please try to use the same for authentic flavour.

* For people who are new to making undis, it needs steaming after making the small dumplings. Please don’t forget the last step.

* Rice Rava or Idli Rava is not regular upma rava. This is coarser in texture and is made of rice.

* The combination of mustard seeds, Urad dal and methi gives it a wonderful aroma. Don’t skip any of it.

* Some people add broken red chillies in the seasoning but my mother made this way.

* If rice rava is not available, just soak and grind the rice to a coarse mix and add instead of rice rava. Though I have not tried it myself, I know many people who do it as rice rava is not easily available in their place.

* Don’t allow the mixture to cool completely before making undis. Make when it’s still warm. ( I actually make when it’s still hot as my kids will be behind me for breakfast. Though it burns my hands, a mom’s love is so and now I understand it. ❤️😅)

* For the Piyava Gojju, take finely chopped onion (2 medium sized) and about 3 Tbsp coriander leaves in a bowl. Add 2 to 3 tsp tamarind paste, salt and red chilli powder to taste depending on your spice level. Mix well adding about 1/4 Cup water and drizzle a little coconut oil on top. (You can add finely chopped green chillies too but I avoid for my kids.)