Barnyard Millet Kozhukattai Recipe / Kuthiraivali Pidi Kozhukattai

South Indian Pidi Kozhukattai - Best Evening Tiffin or Breakfast recipe that is steamed, low oil, filling and satiating. Savoury Snack recipe made with Barnyard Millets or Kuthiraivali.

Today's recipe is yet another traditional breakfast or South Indian Tiffin recipe made with Millets. Presenting healthy and filling Millet Kozhukattai made with Barnyard Millet or Kuthiraivali.

Kozhukattai, Upma Kozhukattai or Pidi Kozhukattai are steamed snacks that are light, healthy and low on spice. They are soft to eat and easy to digest making it senior citizen friendly and toddler friendly food too.

Barnyard Millet

This recipe is ideal for those who are trying to reduce their rice intake and switching over to whole grains and Millets.

The recipe is Vegan, contains No Onion No Garlic. I have, however, used hing or asafoetida in the recipe. For Gluten free version, simply skip the hing.

Traditionally this snack is made with rice that is soaked, dried and ground coarsely. The traditional process, let's face it, is quite cumbersome.

I have a Brown Rice Pidi Kozhukattai Recipe on the blog that follows the traditional process but uses brown rice instead of the white rice.

In case of rice, the recipe cannot be made on a whim and involves a bit of planning and prep work. Since Millets are small grains there is no need to grind them, thereby making the process short. Just cook this like regular upma, cool slightly, shape them into Kozhukattai's and steam them.

I personally don't prefer making this with readymade Rice Rava Or Idli Rava that is sold in shops so thought of using Millets instead.

Some grated vegetables can be added to the Kozhukattai like carrots, finely chopped onions and steamed green peas. I keep it simple and instead serve it with SAMBAR loaded with mixed vegetables.

You can also try some of the side dish recipes that can be served with the Kozhukattai, which I have stated below.

Side Dish for Millet Kozhukattai

• Kothamalli Chutney (Coconut Coriander Chutney)
• Peerkangai Thol Chutney - Ridge Gourd Skin Chutney
• Tomato Chutney - Highly Recommended!

You can try this recipe using other millets like Foxtail Millet (Thinai), Proso Millet (Pani Varagu) or Kodo Millet (Varagu Arisi) too.

Step by Step Barnyard Millet Kozhukattai Recipe

Wash and Soak barnyard millet for atleast 15 to 20 mins. After 20 mins, drain the water and keep aside.

Heat a thick bottom kadhai or pan, add coconut oil, mustard seeds, urad dal, chana dal, green chillies, hing, curry leaves.

Once mustard seed crackles, add water and salt to taste.

Once the water starts boiling, reduce the flame and slowly add the soaked and drained barnyard millet. Keep mixing while you add the millets.

Now add the grated coconut and keep mixing it. The millets would thicken up after a few minutes.

Keep mixing until the mixture thickens.

Once it forms a thick mass, switch off the flame and let it cool slightly.

Shape the kozhukattai and place them in the hot steamer. Steam them for atleast 10 minutes until soft

Recipe Notes

• Shape the Kozhukattai while the mixture is warm - Easy to shape and it doesn't turn dry.
• Soaking the millets help in quick cooking.
• I have added grated coconut. You can add small slices of coconut or pieces too, if you like.
• I prefer using Coconut Oil for this recipe. It tastes and smells amazing. You can use veg oil too.

Some Other Millet Breakfast Recipes on the blog -

• Foxtail Millet Dosa (Thinai Dosa) - Contains No Rice.
• Varagu Arisi Pongal (Kodo Millet Pongal)
• Ragi Idli Recipe (Finger Millet Idli)

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Vidya Narayan