To begin making the Ulundu Kozhukattai Recipe - Uppu Kozhukattai/ Urad Dal Modak, first soak the urad dal in 2 cups of water for about 3 to 4 hours

Drain the water completely

Combine the dal, green chillies, ginger, salt and asafoetida powder and blend into a coarse batter

Place the batter in steamer plates or idli plates and steam on high heat for about 10 minutes until cooked

To check if it is cooked insert a knife in the center and it should come out clean

Remove from the steamer and allow it to cool

Once partially cool, cut into pieces crumble the steamed lentils until there are no lumps

Heat oil in a heavy bottomed pan; add the mustard seeds and allow it to crackle

Stir in the crumbled steamed lentils into the seasoning and saute for a few minutes until well combined

Allow the urad dal/ ulundu to cool

Once cool divide the lentils into 10-15 oval shaped portions and keep aside

This will be the savory filling for the rice wrapperTo make the wrapper for the modak/ Ulundu KozhukattaiBring the water to a boil in a pan along with the salt and oil

Gradually add little rice flour at time and keep stirring till the Ulundu Kozhukattai mixture comes together

Turn off the heat and transfer the rice flour mixture to another bowl and cover with a muslin cloth

Keep it aside for 5 minutes

It will help the Ulundu Kozhukattai dough to come together

With a little oil in a cup, smear the oil in your hands and knead the dough well to remove any lumps

At all times make sure keep the dough covered with a wet muslin cloth to prevent the dough from drying out

Take a lemon size portion of the Ulundu Kozhukattai dough, make into a ball and press the dough in the palm of your hands to make a flat dough, cup your palms a bit so it forms a depression in the center

Place the urad dal filling in the center and bring the edges of the dough together to the center to make an oval shape Ulundu KozhukattaiContinue the similar process with the remaining portions of the dough and dal fillingNote: Keep dipping and smearing your fingers and palms with sesame oil when you handle a new portion of the dough

This will prevent the Ulundu Kozhukattai from sticking to your handsPrepare the steamer filled with water

Place the Ulundu Kozhukattai in the steamer plate and into the steamer

Steam for about 10 minutes until the Ulundu Kozhukattai look shiny and smooth

You will also notice that if it is not cooked, the rice wrapper will be sticky

Once they are steamed, the Ulundu Kozhukattai (Ukadiche Modaks) are ready for an offering to god for the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi

You can also have this steamed dumpling as your Tea Time Snack