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Gatti or steamed rice dumplings is a Mangalorean dish made of brown rice, jaggery, and coconut. Gatti is usually made using turmeric leaves but since I could not find them, I was forced to use Banana leaves. This sweet dish is usually made during Diwali but I can pretty much eat this every single day! If there were two dishes I had to pick from Mangalore that I can't live without they would be Kori Rutti and Gatti. It is a very simple, straightforward recipe and I don't see anyone going wrong with this. Make sure you look at the step -by- step pictures below to get a feel for the consistency of the batter. Note: When I first posted the recipe, I had used idly rice. But I would strongly recommend using brown rice for optimal taste.
📖 Recipe
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Bella Tarai Gatti
Equipment
- Steamer (idli steamer or bamboo steamer)
Ingredients
- Banana Leaves as required
- 3 cups Kerala Matta rice (or idly rice, soaked in water for 3-4 hours)
- 2 cups finely grated coconut
- 1 cup jaggery
- ½ teaspoon powdered cardamom powder
- salt to taste
- Ghee as accompaniment
Instructions
- Wash and wipe the banana leaves till they are dry. Cut the leaves to the desired size.
- Mix the coconut, jaggery and cardamom powder in a bowl till they are combined. Set them aside.
- Grind the rice with salt and just enough water to get a fine thick paste. Divide the paste between 4 banana leaves and use the palm of your hand or a steel bowl to spread them evenly.
- Add the coconut-jaggery mixture to each of the leaves and press them slightly so that it sticks to the batter.
- Fold the leaves into half and steam them in a steamer (see notes below on using a bamboo steamer) for 20 -25 minutes on medium heat till they are cooked.
- Let its rest for another 15 minutes before opening the steamer.
- Open the banana leaves delicately to reveal the dish / Gatti. Serve hot with ghee.
Notes
Disclaimer: Approximate nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and can vary depending on the exact ingredients/brands used. If you have health issues, please work with a registered dietician or nutritionist.
Mithesh H Kunder says
If you use turmeric leaf instead of Banana leaf. The aroma that emits from it enhances the flavour and the taste of Gatti to another level.... would know it if not then give it a try....
Anushree Shetty says
Mithesh, you are so on point! It is hard to get turmeric leaves in the US, though.