Coorg – popularly known as Scotland of India. Tucked deep within the Western Ghats, this tiny little district of Karnataka is lush green, with beautiful coffee and spice plantations. It took me about 3 hours by road from Mangalore to Chitala (a quaint little town near Madikeri), where I spent three memorable days. The Kodavas are a hospitable lot-warm and friendly. The have their age old customs and traditions which they follow till date. Their cuisine has a unique taste and texture to it, which must be experienced if you are in this part of the country.
Having grown up in Bangalore I was fortunate to have had Kodava friends. I would dig into their tiffin to gobble up the white and soft akki rotis. The akki rotis were most often an accompaniment with the all famous Coorg Pandhi curry. But being a vegetarian myself, I would feast just on the akki roti, which would taste fine, as it is.
Akki Roti is a classical dish of Karnataka. Made out of rice flour or even cooked rice as in Coorg, it is a simple yet delicious dish. Some people make it by adding finely chopped green chilies and chopped onions. But surprisingly, something as simple as this varies from region to region in the state. The Coorg akki rotis is made with cooked rice mixed along with rice flour. Ideally it is made with freshly cooked rice. But trust me, if you have that left over rice in your fridge, you could use that too and it works just fine.
During our stay in Madikeri we discovered a small little joint called Coorg Cuisine! Run entirely by a Kodava family, where the father and the two sons take orders, serve and also do the billing. The kitchen on the other hand is run by the lady of the house, along with another lady helper. The place had quick service and a wonderful homely taste to the food.
The akki roti was served with a Coorg style Rajma curry that interestingly had a coconut tinge to the gravy.
The flavour of Coorg and the memory of the Akki Roti stayed with me, long after the trip (I consider this my souvenir from Coorg). So, this Sunday I decided to try my hand at making it. It wasn’t as good as the one I had in Madikeri, but well not a bad try either.
I served it with a mixed vegetable curry (my own invention), and the family loved the spicy combination with the Roti.
It was the perfect way to cherish the wonderful memories of the holiday we were just back from!!!
16 Comments
Uma Chellappa
Lovely, Ramya. I love the akki rotis served at the Kamath Hotel en route to Mysore and other places on that line. Loved your description of Coorg and its cuisine.
Ramya Abhinand
Yeah.. it’s something I like and I find the change in taste in different parts of the state.
Beloo Mehra
The akka roti looks so fresh and delicious. Just looked up a recipe on the web. Will definitely try it sometime 🙂 Thanks for introducing this new dish to me.
Shailaja V
I love akki roti 🙂 I learnt it from a cousin soon after marriage and it is now a staple breakfast item at our place. It’s filling, tasty and so comforting too. Your description had me craving it and it’s nearly 10 pm! Not done!
Ramya Abhinand
Haha … But I think I need to drpo into your place on days when you make it. I havent got it right, do post your recipe sometime online!!!
Shailaja V
Will do 🙂
Rajlakshmi
I have had Akki roti only a couple of times and I remember it’s texture being very different. It tastes yum with curry. 😀
Ramya Abhinand
Oh yes it does. A spice gravy tastes magical with it!
parwatisingari
loved your description of Kodagu, I make akki roti with Kujje huli that is raw jackfruit in coconut gravy, my family is not a great fan of it, but my daughters like akki roti with potato song. My husband prefers Bakhri. 😦 You can’t win them all, this is my dish to pamper myself.
Ramya Abhinand
Thats interesting!!! I love this simple akki roti which I could have just as it is
Roshan Radhakrishnan
Been years since I had this roti… used to love it. We had a friend who would make it in Mangalore…
Godyears.net
Ramya Abhinand
ISnt it an awesome dish? I love the simplicity it holds yet can make you feel content when you eat it..
chittara
Thanks for sharing this post..i am the admirer of coorg food..escpecially pandhi curry
Rachna
I love akki roti the way it is made in Karnataka, especially Bangalore. I’ve had the ones in Coorg. They are much softer. I think, it must be because of the cooked rice used. That was a nice experience for sure.
Geetika
I never heard of Akki roti! Not to mention never had it ever! But it looks yum… and I’m intrigued.. I sure would want to try it some day!
Cheers
Boisterous Bee
quirkywanderer
Wow! I hadn’t heard of Kodava cuisine before. You gave me another reason to go back to Madikeri! 🙂 The Akki roti would be sure very appetising in the cold weather of Coorg 🙂 YUM!