Koonthal Pidi / Koonthal Kadumbu/ Steamed Rice Dumplings in Squid Masala

Ingredients:

For Pidi /Kadumbu (Rice dumplings)

2 cups rice flour
1/2 cup grated coconut
1 tsp fennel seeds
small piece of onion, chopped
2 cups of water
salt

For masala / gravy:

1/2 kg squid / koonthal
2 medium onions, chopped
2 tsp ginger-garlic paste
1 tomato, chopped
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp chilli powder
2 tsp coriander powder
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp pepper powder
1/2 tsp fennel powder
1 cup coconut milk
salt to taste
1 sprig curry leaves
2 tbsp coriander leaves, chopped
1 1/2 tbsp oil

Preparation:

For Pidi:

1. In a blender, add grated coconut, fennel seeds and chopped onion and crush together.
2. Boil water and salt in a pan. Add this boiling water as required to the rice flour and mix well. 
3. Then add the crushed coconut mixture and knead well to a smooth dough.
4. Make small balls out of the dough and slightly flatten it and steam cook in a steamer for 12-15 minutes..,. Keep them aside..

For masala / gravy:

1. Clean and cut the squids into rings.
2. Heat oil in a pan and add chopped onion and salt and saute well.
3. Add ginger-garlic paste and green chillies and saute till raw smell goes off.
4. Add turmeric powder, chilli powder, coriander powder, garam masala, pepper powder and fennel powder and mix well.
5. Add chopped tomato and saute well till soft and mushy.
6. Add cleaned squid and salt and mix well. Cook it covered for 10 minutes.
7. Open the lid and add coconut milk. Adjust salt and cook for 2 minutes in low flame. Add curry leaves and mix well.
8. Now add the prepared rice dumplings to the boiling gravy, mix well and cook on low flame for 3-4 minutes until the gravy is well coated with rice dumplings.
9. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve as a main dish…