Ellu Satham(Sesame Rice) and Mochai(Val) Sundal-Navrathiri Day2- Prasadham | Gayathiri's Cookbook

Navrathiri is a nine days festival dedicated to goddess Durga.During these 9 nights and 10 days, goddess Durga is worshipped in 9 different forms.Numerous rituals are followed during Navratri. These rituals vary from state to state and within a state region to region.During Navratri, various dolls are collected and displayed in multiple steps for public viewing. The displaying of dolls during "Golu festival" is so popular that it is also known as doll festival.

In South India, apart from public display of dolls, 9 days of Navratri are divided into three equal numbers of days. Goddess Durga as Kali is worshipped during the first 3 days of Navratri. After Goddess Durga, for next 3 days Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity is worshipped. During the last 3 day of Navratri Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of learning and knowledge is worshipped.
Each day of the festival stands for an auspicious colour, which is dedicated to all the avatars of the Goddess.

Navrathiri Day2- Prasadham
Ellu Satham(Sesame Rice) and Mochai(Val) Sundal.

Ingredients for Ellu satham:
Raw rice- 1 cup
Sesame seeds- 1/4 cup
Uraddal- 1 tsp
Channadal-1 tsp
Red chillies- 2
Shredded coconut- 2 tbsp
Oil- 2 tsp
Mustard seeds- 1/2 tsp
Curry leaves- For garnishing
Salt- 1 tsp

Directions for Ellu satham:
1.Dry roast 1/4 cup sesame seeds until it starts to sputter.Keep it aside.
2. Dry roast 1 tsp uraddal,1 tsp channadal, 2 red chillies and 2 tbsp coconut until they turn golden brown.Let it cool down.
3. Grind all the roasted ingredients to a coarse powder.
4. Heat 2 tsp oil. Add 1/2 tsp mustard seeds and curry leaves. When it starts to crackle,,add in the cooked rice(1 Cup) and 1 tsp salt.
5. Gently mix the sesame powder with the rice.

Sesame rice(ellu satham ) is ready!!

Ingredients for mochai sundal:
Mochai(Val dal)- 1/2 cup
Salt- 1 tsp
Oil- 2 tsp
Mustard seeds- 1/2 tsp
Grated ginger- 1/2 tsp
Curry leaves- For garnishing
Idly/dosa podi- As needed

Directions for mochai sundal:
1.Soak 1/2 cup val dal in water for 4-6 hours.Pressure cook soaked mochai dal with 1 tsp of salt for upto 4 whistles. Strain the water and keep it aside.
2.Heat 2 tsp oil. Add 1/2 tsp mustard seeds, 1/2 tsp grated ginger, curry leaves and cooked dal.Saute for 2 minutes.
3.Mix in the gun powder(Idly/dosai podi).Switch off the heat.
Mochai sundal is ready!!