Ragi Huri Hittu and Unde for Blogging Marathon 4

In Kannada, ragi huri hittu literally means the flour made using popped ragi and unde are the balls / laddus.

I chose 'kid friendly' theme for the Marathon 4 and the recipes I blogged so far are
1. Fruity Yogurt Rice
2. Apple Basundi
3. Oats - Lauki Tikkis
4. Kheer
5. Vattayappam
6. Methi Parathas with Carrot Stuffing

Our mother worked hard in the kitchen to serve the entire family healthy, balanced meals each day. When I reflect back and think about the food we ate, I marvel at my mother's patience and smartness. I can label most of our childhood meals including our snacks as low fat and nutritious. Deep frying was never a preferred thing in my mother's kitchen. Our usual evening snacks would be guggillu (salads with chick peas or moong or dried peas), steamed sweet potatoes, corn, boiled peanuts, veggie upmas and so on. Of all those, this ragi huri hittu has been my most favorite snack item. I don't know how many kilos of this flour I have consumed over the years. :) Plain, old ragi flour is no match to the huri hittu in the flavor department. 
Ragi huri hittu has been on my 'to do list' ever since I started to cook on my own. However, it has been impossible just because I don't get ragi here. The whole ragi grain I mean and not the ragi flour. My last year's India trip was not an appropriate one for shopping but when I visited India three years back; I remembered particularly to buy ragi. I bought it in one of those large departmental chain stores that have recently become popular in India. Mistake, mistake. I bought that from that store for the sole reason of being sold in a packet. When I brought it here and tried to pop, it just got burnt and did not pop at all. I later learnt that a good quality ragi alone pops.



I should have opted for those single owner operated, little grocery stores that are ubiquitous through out the thousands of towns / cities across India. The stores are not even half the size of a single aisle of these giant departmental stores of America but they carry all the ingredients that an Indian housewife needs for her cooking besides the toiletries. One of the advantages with these kind of small stores is that the shop would be right around the corner and you walk a few steps to reach there. No wastage of fuel and some exercise for your body. :) You buy only what you need since you are not lured by the strategic placing of the ingredients. And also you can buy only that amount you need instead of pre packed stuff that are usually more than you require. The only disadvantage is that the guy is going to pack your stuff in a old newspaper but no need to complain since he is not charging you for packing expenses. 

After the mishap, my sister remembered to send me some ready made ragi huri hittu packets when my parents were visiting. And added bonus, she sent me some packets that were labeled 'Special'. Already the flavorful, special ingredients like copra, nuts, cardamom and the sweetener mixed. How sweet!! Thank you sis. I was able to introduce this healthy, delicious snack to my kids.
If any one is interested, ready made packets are sold in stores around Bangalore though I am not sure about the other regions in Karnataka. 

How to pop the ragi / finger millet:
I haven't popped ragi until date but here are the guidelines if you would like to give it a try.
Mix about 1/2 cup ragi and 2 Tbsp buttermilk (churned yogurt). Spread them on a kitchen towel and allow them to air dry for about 30 minutes or so. Or just wash the ragi, drain and air dry.
Then dry roast them on medium flame until they puff up. Let cool the popped ragi and grind it into a fine powder. Store it in an airtight container.



One of the ways to enjoy hurihittu is making these delectable unde from them.
Ingredients for 4 balls:
1 cup ragi huri hittu (I used the one with nuts, copra, sugar, cardamom all ready added)
1 tsp ghee
Few Tbsp milk

Mix everything and shape into lime sized balls. Add milk as needed.
If using the plain ragi huri hittu, then add to it the fresh shredded coconut, jaggery and cardamom powder as needed. Form lime sized balls from the mixture gradually adding milk. A little ghee can also be added for the yummy flavor. 

My fellow marathoners are - 
Diabetes Diet/Management:PJ  
Kid Friendly Recipes:Me, Priya Suresh, Divya
Seven Days of Soup:Ila, Smita P 
Seven Days of Indian Bread:Monika
Seven Days of Cakes: Bhagyashri
30 Minutes Meals:Archana  
Seven days of Condiment:Kamalika, Srivalli

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