Kallummakka Nirachathu/Stuffed Mussels

Ingredients:
Kallummaka/Fresh mussels - 15

For stuffing:
Rice flour/puttu podi - 2 cups
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
Shallots - 6-7
Coconut grated - 1 handful
Fennel seeds - 1/2 tsp
Green chilli - 1 chopped
Ginger - a small piece
Salt to taste
Water
Oil

For the batter:
Chilli powder - 2 tbsp
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
Rice flour - 1 1/2 tsp
Water - 3-4 tbsp
Salt to taste

Method:
    Grind coconut well,without addin water.Add fennel seeds,shallots and gind again to get a coarse paste.
In a large bowl,add rice flour,turmeric powder and salt.mix well.To this add ground coconut mixture.Add boiling water slowly and mix it well until the mixture comes together.knead it to get a smooth dough.Cover and keep this mixture aside.

     Now clean the outer part of the mussels by scrubing away all the dirt.Use only the mussels that are closed tight.Using a knife,slowly slide the slits of the mussels and open them slowly without breaking the shells apart.Now pull out the hairy particles form the flesh.Wash the opened mussels very carefully to clean all the dirts.Strain the mussels to make it free of water.

    Make plum sized balls of the rice dough.Wide open the shells without breaking them and stuff the dough into the shells.Shape them neatly by taking the excess dough.Stuff all the shells in the same manner.Now steam them for 20-25 minutes.They will be sticky when hot but gets firmer as it cools down.Now slowly open the shell and take out the cooked stuffing taking care not to part the mussel from the dough.For the mussels stuck to the shell,u can use knife or the shell.Then remove the black colour part from it.

        Add oil in a frying pan on a medium flame.Now mix chilli&turmeric powders,rice flour and salt with water to make a thin paste.Dip the dough into this mix and slide into the hot oil in the frying pan on medium flame.Fry on all sides until it turns a dark colour.A yummy evening snack for all age group...


Cheers,
Roshu