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ulli pathiri

Malabar Style Ulli Pathiri

Soft and delicious traditional Malabar-style Ulli Pathiri made without deep frying. A healthy, aromatic breakfast or snack that pairs perfectly with chicken curry or stew.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 16 pathiri
Course: Breakfast, evening snack
Cuisine: Kerala, malabar, South Indian / Kerala Style

Ingredients
  

  • Ingredients ചേരുവകൾ
  • ​For the Dough:
  • ​Water: 4 cups
  • ​Salt: As required
  • ​Oil / Ghee: A little for boiling water
  • ​Rice Powder Pathiri Podi / Idiyappam Podi: 2.5 cups (Start with 2 cups, add 1/2 cup extra if needed)
  • ​For Flavoring & Mixing:
  • ​Onion: 1/2 of a large onion finely chopped
  • ​Coriander leaves: As needed finely chopped (Note: You can also use other greens like Moringa leaves/Murungai ela or Fenugreek leaves/Uluva cheera for a healthier option).
  • ​Grated Coconut: 1/2 cup freshly grated
  • ​For Cooking:
  • ​Ghee: As needed for brushing while roasting

Method
 

  1. Instructions (തയ്യാറാക്കുന്ന വിധം)
  2. ​Boil the Water: Take a pan and pour 4 cups of water into it. Add the required amount of salt and a little oil (or ghee) to the water. Let it boil well.
  3. ​Add Rice Flour: Once the water boils well, keep the flame on low. First, add 2 cups of rice powder and mix well. If the mixture feels too watery, mix in an additional 1/2 cup of rice flour (total 2.5 cups) until you get the right consistency.
  4. ​Cook and Rest: Mix thoroughly until the moisture is absorbed and the dough becomes dry and soft. Turn off the flame and transfer the dough to a large bowl to let the heat reduce slightly. Cover it with a lid so it doesn't dry out.
  5. ​Knead with Ingredients: Once the dough is cool enough to handle, add the finely chopped onions, chopped coriander leaves, and 1/2 cup of fresh grated coconut. Knead the dough well. (Tip: Wet your hands slightly with water if it's sticky).
  6. ​Make Balls: Divide the dough into small, equal-sized balls (around 16 balls). Roll them smoothly between your palms without any cracks.
  7. ​Press/Flatten: Place a ball on a butter paper or plastic sheet, apply a little oil on it, cover it with another sheet, and press it flat evenly using a plate or a press.
  8. ​Cook: Heat a tawa/pan. Place the flattened pathiri on the hot pan. Cook on both sides, applying a very little ghee on top for a nice aroma and soft texture.
  9. ​Store & Serve: Transfer the cooked pathiris into a casserole and brush a little more ghee in between layers to keep them soft and fragrant. Serve hot with chicken curry, vegetable stew, or kuruma!

Video

Notes

Note: Make sure to close the casserole lid immediately after placing the hot pathiris inside and brush a little ghee in between the layers to keep them soft and fresh for a long time.
Note: If the dough feels a bit too watery initially, don't worry—you can add a little extra rice flour (as shown in the recipe) to get the perfect soft consistency. Wetting your hands slightly with water while kneading will also make it much easier.
Note: You can replace coriander leaves with finely chopped moringa leaves (murungai ela) or fenugreek leaves (uluva cheera) to make this pathiri even healthier and more nutritious for kids.