Kozhi Pidi/ Irachi pidi/ Rice dumplings in Chicken gravy

I used to dream that when my lil one starts school full day I will get  into some serious blogging and do a lot of cooking. Its almost  2 weeks since he started school and  still I havent done much of blogging or even cooking. When my parents were here my kitchen was soo busy and lots of cooking did happen but now expect in the morning my kitchen is all so quiet and my house is soo silent except the noise of  some cars speeding by ! So I guess getting into that mood might take some time as I am in the  holiday withdrawal  mode reminiscing all the good times we had the past 2 months. Now that I have a few hours all by myself I am also looking for options to make myself useful other than just sitting at home which  has also taken its toll on  my hobbies, but anyway I am sure about one thing whether I am  free or busy I will never abandon this little blog of mine :)

Anyway coming back to topic...Have you ever craved for something which you have never cooked or tried ?? Well one fine morning I got a craving for eating this from nowhere, I wonder how it came but that day  I ignored it beacuse if my laziness, but few days passed by and it was still in the corner of my mind and after a week or soo the craving  hit back with all its strength which  left with no choice rather than making it. So after googling it I came across few  recipes here here and here and  I adapted the recipe from all three to make  my own :) I am glad I did as we all loved it and now even if I crave for it I can rely on my blog to whip it up in a jiffy :)

Ingredients

For pidi/ dumplings

Rice flour - 1/2 cup

Water - 1 - 1 1/2 cup

Shallots - 3-4 

Fennel seeds - 1 tsp

Grated coccnut - 1/2 cup

salt 

For chicken masala

Boneless chicken - 250 gm

Onion - 2( finely chopped)

Tomato - 1 small( finely chopped )

Fennel seeds - 1 tsp

Ginger -garlic paste - 1 1/2 tsp

Red chilly powder - 3/4 tsp

Turmeric powder - 1/8 tsp

Pepper powder - 1/2 tsp

Coriander powder - 1 tsp

Garam masala or  chicken masala  -  1 tsp

Salt

Curry leaves

coriander leaves

Green chillies - 1 or 2

oil

For coconut gravy 

Coconut oil - 1 tbsp

Grated coconut - 1/4 cup

Whole garam masala ( small piece of cinnamon, one clove, one cardamom, one bay leaf )

Thin coconut milk - 1/2 cup

Thick coconut milk - 1/4 cup

salt

Method

Making of Pidi

• In a bowl take the rice flour, add salt, boiling water and make a dough. 
• In a Mixie make a course paste of grated coconut, shallots and  fennel seeds.
• Add the paste to dough and mix well, knead and  make a smooth dough.
• Take a small ball of the dough( 1 tsp ) and roll it into a ball and gently press it down and make an impression in the middle with the thumb.                                                                           
  
  
  
• Steam it for 10 minutes.

Making of chicken masala, coconut gravy and the final process.

• Cut the Boneless chicken into small cubes.
• Marinate the chicken cubes with chilly powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, chicken masala, pepper powder, ginger garlic paste and salt.
• In a saucepan or cheena chatti /kadai add coconut oil and add fennel seeds and when it releases smell add  finely chopped onions, curry leaves  and saute until onions are brown and soft.
• Add  chopped tomatoes and cook until mashed and becomes a paste.
• Add marinated chicken, salt and cook until chicken is done
• Meanwhile in a nonstick pan add coconut oil and add the whole garam masala and saute for a minute or so.
• Add grated coconut and roast it until golden brown. Once its cool grind it into a paste.
• Add the grinded paste and the thin coconut milk to the cooked chicken.
• Add the steamed pidis/ dumplings to it and cook it covered for 3-4  minutes.The masala will be coated well into the dumpling now.
• Finally add the thick coconut milk and when its about to boil turn off the flame.
• Garnish with coriander leaves if you like.

SERVE WARM AND ENJOY !!