📝 Ingredients (Makes 15–18 dumplings)

• Rice flour – 1 cup (finely ground or roasted)
• Water – 1 to 1¼ cups
• Grated coconut – ½ cup (fresh preferred)
• Grated jaggery – ⅓ to ½ cup (adjust to taste)
• Cardamom powder – ½ tsp
• Salt – a pinch
• Ghee – 1 tsp (optional, for softness)
• Banana/turmeric leaves – small pieces (optional, for steaming & aroma)

🍲 Method

🔸 Step 1: Prepare the Dough

1. Boil 1 cup of water with a pinch of salt.
2. Lower the flame and slowly add the rice flour, stirring continuously.
3. Mix until it forms a soft dough and leaves the sides of the pan.
4. Cover and rest for 10 minutes.
5. Once cool enough, knead with greased hands until smooth.

🔸 Step 2: Make the Sweet Filling

1. Mix grated coconut, jaggery, and cardamom in a bowl.
2. Let the jaggery melt naturally or warm lightly if hard.

🔸 Step 3: Shape the Dumplings

1. Take lemon-sized balls of dough and flatten in your palm.
2. Place 1 spoon of the sweet filling in the center.
3. Fold and seal gently into balls, half-moons, or ovals.
4. Optionally, place on banana or turmeric leaf pieces.

🔸 Step 4: Steam

1. Arrange in a steamer or idli cooker.
2. Steam for 12–15 minutes until glossy and firm.
3. Cool slightly before serving warm or at room temperature.

✨ Significance

🌿 Cultural Note

Muthali is a cherished monsoon sweet from Goa, often prepared during feasts like Sangodd or for sacred offerings. While similar to Patoleo, Muthali skips the turmeric leaf wrap — emphasizing simplicity and local abundance.

🧘‍♀ Nutritional Insight

• Jaggery – Natural sweetener rich in iron.
• Coconut – Provides healthy fats and dietary fiber.
• Rice flour – Gluten-free, easy on digestion, and energy-rich.