Thiruvathirai Kali

Aarudhra Darisanam is one of the Hindu festival that usually falls on December/ January month. This festival is celebrated with regard to the birth of Lord of Shiva. Kali and Ezhu Kari Kootu is made as prasadam on this occasion.

Ingredients:
Rice - 1 cup (I used sona masoori)
moong dhaal - 1/4 cup
Jaggary powdered - 1.5 cups
Cardamom - 5
Cashew Nuts – 5
Ghee – 4 to 5 teaspoon
Water – 3 cups
Shredded coconut - 3 tbsp.

Fry the rice and the moong dhaal in a kadai without oil till it turns light brown. Powder(dry) the fried rice and moong dhaal in a mixer. Now boil 3 cups of water in a vessel and mix the jaggary until it dissolves. Then add the rice and dhaal powder and close it with a lid. Once it becomes like uppuma consistency transfer the vessel to the cooker and keep the flame to low with the cooker's whistle on. You can keep the cooker for atleast for 15 minutes in low even though it gives whistle. (Mostly one whistle might come). Meantime fry the cashew nuts in a teaspoon of ghee and keep it aside. Once khali is out from the cooker add powdered cardomom, fried cashew nuts, remaining ghee and shredded coconuts and mix it well. Kali is usual server with Ezhu Kari Kootu or mixed vegetable kootu for thiruvathirai.