Ari Unda

Ari unda means "Rice Balls".They are one of the favourite sweetmeats in kerala.
Traditional preparation of ariunda involves a lot of hard work from soaking par boiled rice to grounding and powdering them.I have taken a short cut with a packet of Chembav ari podi (powdered and roasted red rice).It came out well.
Its easy to make and are great fillers.
So if you have the below igredients with you,making ari undas is just half an hour job!
You need...
Rice flour - 1 cup
Fresh grated coconut - 1/2 cup
Jaggery- 1/2 cup
Powdered cardamom - a pinch
Raisins,Almond,Cashew-optional
Ghee-1 tsp

Mix rice flour with grated coconut.In a skillet roast this mixture over low flame.Add Ghee.Keep stirring,until an aroma comes.You can feel the rice between your fingers,they must be crisp and sand like.Keep to cool the mixture.
In another vessel heat jaggery and water until the jaggey dissolves completley in water and forms a syrup.Turn off when it starts to boil and add a pinch of powdered cardamom.Let it cool a bit.
Mix the jaggery syrup with the rice mixture.Add dry fruits if any and start making round balls with your palm.You can sprinkle a little water if needed to make the balls.






Ari undas are ready to be hogged :)