Kunji Pathal (Kakka Roti)

Kunji Pathal is a traditional dish of course mostly prepared in Malabar regions of Kerala, and it can be used as a main course item or snack for evening tea. It is known in different interesting names in different places such as Kakka Roti, Kakko Roti, Kutti Pathiri, Kunji Pathal, Anaa Pathal, Irachi Kothumb etc.

Ingredients for Kunji Pathal (Kakka Roti):

For Pathal:

1. Parboiled rice – 2.5 cups

2. Scrapped coconut – 1.5 cups

   Shallots – 5

   Fennel seeds – ½ tsp

   Salt – For taste

For gravy:

3. Chicken – 1 kg, cut into pieces

4. Onion – 3

    Tomato – 2

    Ginger-garlic paste – 1.5 tablespoon

    Green chillies – 3 or 4

5. Coriander powder – 2 table spoons

6. Chilli powder – 1 table spoon

   Turmeric powder – ¼ tsp

   Garam masala powder – 1 tsp

   Chicken masala powder – 1 tsp

To make a paste:

7. Coconut – 1 cup

    Fennel seeds and turmeric powder – As required

How to prepare Kunji Pathal (Kakka Roti)?

1. Soak rice in warm water for 5 to 6 hours.

2. Grind rice to a paste, along with ingredients no: 2 to prepare thick batter. It should not be finely grinded to a paste, and needs small grains.

3. If batter is not thick enough to make balls, you can add Pathiri/rice flour to it.

4. Add rice flour little by little, mix well using hands and prepare the dough.

5. Make small balls from the dough, place inside the palm and press once to get coin shapes.

6. Cook the balls using a steamer for next 25-30 minutes.

7. To prepare gravy, sauté ingredients no: 4 in hot oil.

8. Add masala powders listed as 6, mix well and add chicken.

9. Cook chicken till it is done.

10. Make a fine paste of ingredients no: 7 and add to chicken.

11. Allow it to boil well and add steam cooked pathals to it.

12. Mix it well, reduce the flame and cook for 15-20 minutes till water content is absorbed.

13. When Kunji Pathiris blend well with chicken, add curry leaves, coriander leaves (or any one of both as per your preference).

14. Mix well and put off the flame.

15. Serve hot.

Read a few more Pathiri recipes. Here is the page link. Click on the images in the gallery to read.