This is a Sri Lankan traditional snack prepared with leftover rice. As I remember, at our home we called these rice balls as ‘Bath Guli’. I am not sure why we called using this name. But, my husband who is from another province of Sri Lanka calls these rice balls as ‘Bath Aggala’.
Therefore whatever the traditional name for it is, here is the easy lazy recipe for making rice balls with leftover rice!
This recipe will sure remind you childhood memories from Sri Lanka.
Why leftover rice balls? (Bath Aggala)
Well, not only me, most of us like to save from the kitchen. One of the best ways to save from the kitchen is to avoid food waste. This is where leftover recipes are so valuable.
As I shared earlier, usually I don’t waste leftover. First I cook the food that is just enough for us. Therefore we don’t have much left over after any meal.
If there is rice left, I use it in fried rice at the end of the week. You can keep leftover rice for few days in a tight container inside the fridge.
If there is some more rice, I dry the rice. Then such leftover rice goes in to a recipe like this. Sound good right?
How to dry leftover rice?
Well, the most suitable and delicious way is to sun-dry the leftover rice. In Sri Lanka it is common to see a plate of rice under the sun in most of the homes. Once these are well sun-dried, you can use for making Rice balls or Bath Aggala as we call in Sri Lanka.
How I dry rice when I don’t have a private garden or if I don’t get direct sunlight?
Well, in Singapore, I get enough sunlight. But I live in an apartment which I don’t have a garden/land area. Therefore I don’t have the opportunity to sundry the leftover rice.
But I found the solution. I use this method from many years and it is successful not only to dry cooked rice, but for other food such as Bitter gourd.
How I do?
Spread your leftover rice in a flat plate.
Keep it inside your fridge.(don’t cover.Keep it open)
Allow it to dry for few days or weeks until rice is completely dried.
Make sure to mix the rice daily to avoid any fungus or wet bottom.
After few days, you have dried rice.
If you are not ready to make any snack, keep this rice in a tight container inside the fridge.
While one batch is drying, you can use another plate to dry another batch of leftover rice.
Very easy! No fuss! No waste!
You can also bake the leftover rice until dried. It is another way to make dried rice for a quick snack.
Is this a traditional Sri Lankan snack?
Yes, this is a traditional Sri Lankan snack recipe which my mother and grandmother used. But, I am the lazy cook in my Sri Lankan kitchen.
As you know I try to find the shortcut for many recipes. It is same with these rice balls too.
What I don’t do when making rice balls (Difference from traditional bath Aggala recipe)
Traditionally, you need to heat sugar with a little bit of water. Then add grated coconut. (Similar to pol pani)
But, I don’t go for that step. This is how my mom made these rice balls for us. She is also a lady who wants to cook as fast as possible.
Therefore I mix everything together and make delicious rice balls.
If you like, you can heat sugar with a little bit of water to add extra traditional taste.
Below is how I make Bath Aggala, Bath Guli or Rice Balls using leftover rice. Try this recipe. I am sure you and your children will love to taste such a traditional food from Sri Lanka.
And, you can be proud because you don’t waste food!
How to prepare dried leftover rice for this recipe?
Before making the rice balls (Bath Aggala), you need to make rice into a coarse powder.
Here is how to make rice flour from dried leftover rice.
Step 1: Toast rice in low heat until the colour changes to golden brown.Don’t burn.
Step 2: Grind the rice to powder.
Step 3: Use the flour to make the rice balls (Bath aggala)
Recipe: Bath Aggala (Sri Lankan snack with left over rice)
Ingredients: (makes about 12 rice balls)
2 cups of well dried left over rice
1 cup of fresh grated coconut
4 tbsp. sugar (or as per taste)
Pinch of salt (as per taste)
Pinch of pepper powder (optional)
Method:
Step 1: Preparation of rice powder
Toast the dried left over rice until the colour turns to golden brown.
When the rice starts popping up, remove from the stove.
Grind the rice to a powder.
Step 2: Preparation of the rice balls
In a bowl mix rice flour prepared above with coconut and sugar.
Add salt and pepper as per taste and if necessary.
Add a little water. Be sure to use a spoon when adding water. Don’t add more.
Mix well.
When the mix is moist enough to make the rice balls, take a scoop to your hand.
Prepare a small bit size rice ball.
Continue making rice balls until the mix is finished.
A delicious snack is ready to serve.
**No making Pani Pol,No heating sugar,not afraid of hard rice balls 🙂
Enjoy!
If you try this recipe,let me know the outcome.I’d love to read your comments. 🙂
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