Poornam Kudumulu (Sihi Kadubu)

These lentil stuffed dumplings are a festive treat and made to offer the deities during Ganesh Chaturthi, Varalakshmi puja and Navratri.

For best results follow my detailed step-by-step photo instructions and tips.

Prep Time20

Cook Time15

Total Time35

Servings11 poornam kudumulu

Add jaggery to a pan with 1½ to 2 tbsp water. Heat it on a low flame until completely dissolved. Strain this to a bowl and keep aside. This step can be omitted if your jaggery is clean.
Cook chana dal with water until fully cooked and not mushy. To test mash a few lentils in between your fingers, they should get mashed easily. Cool down and grind to a coarse mixture or simply mash it.
Add back the dal, jaggery and coconut to the same pot and cook until thick and becomes a mass. Stir in the cardamom and cool down. Divide to 6 to 7 portions and roll to balls. They should be dry and not sticky.

Pour water to a pot and add ghee and salt. When the water comes to a rolling boil, turn off and add the flour. Mix well with a spatula and cover it. It is dry and crumbly at this stage.
Let cool down a bit and grease your fingers. Knead to a smooth dough. Divide to 6 to 7 portions and shape to balls.

Make a dent in the center of the ball. Dip your fingers in water and spread the dough to make a flat puri. Flatten them to as much as the size of your palm.
Place a poornam ball and bring the edges together gently. Shape them off to a round ball. Do not squeeze or apply pressure on the ball, they may break.
Pour water to a steamer or pressure cooker, bring it to a boil.
When the water begins to boil, place these balls in a wide greased basket and keep it in the steamer or cooker. Close the lid and steam on high for 8 minutes if steaming in a smaller cooker and for 10 minutes if steaming in a larger cooker. Steaming them for longer can make the outer covering harder.
Cool poornam kudumulu and offer to Ganesha.