Munthiri Kothu

 
Munthiri Kothu is a traditional snack commonly made in Tamil Nadu's Kanyakumari district. It is made from powdered rice, green gram, and coconut rolled into balls and fried after coating in a rice flour batter. The balls are usually fried in batches of three in such a way that the batter holds them together when fried. Hence the name 'Munthiri', meaning three, and 'Kothu', meaning bunch.

Ingredients:

1 cup green gram (mung dal), roasted till golden brown
3/4 cup grated coconut, roasted till golden brown
2 tbsp raw rice, roasted
1 tbsp sesame seeds
1 tbsp ghee
1/4 tsp dry ginger powder
3 cardamoms, roasted (can roast these with the green gram)
1 cup palm Jaggery
1/4 cup water
1 cup rice flour, roasted for about 2 minutes
1/4 cup water
2 tbsp plain flour (maida)
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
2 pinches salt

Method:

Coarsely grind the green gram along with the cardamom.

Coarsely grind the rice, separately.

Dissolve the jaggery in a quarter cup of boiling water in a saucepan over medium heat. 

Sieve the syrup to remove impurities.

Add the powdered green gram, powdered rice, coconut, sesame seeds, ginger powder, and ghee to the jaggery syrup and mix till well combined. Roll into 1-inch balls.

Whisk together the rice flour, maida, turmeric powder, salt, and water to form a runny batter.

Dip the balls in the batter till coated well and fry in oil.

Drain onto paper towels.

Once cooled, store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.