Black bottu for babies

As I mentioned in the earlier post, for babies of either gender, it is customary to put a black dot on the forehead. It is said to ward off evil eye and so applied soon after a baby is given bath. When a new baby arrives in the house, mothers or grandmothers prepare katuka and the agulu (black bindi).

It is a fairly simple process and also does not take too long to make. Bottu is usually stored in coconut shells, or silver bowls or even small wooden bowls. Once it cools, bottu hardens and is not messy. Just when it has to be used, a drop of water is added on the top and in a few minutes, you can rub your index finger on the top and get a smooth paste as gel.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                   

Home made katuka and bottu:

                                                                                                                                                                                         

Saggubiyyam ( sabudana):

Roasting saggubiyyam:

Water added when saggubiyyam turns dark:

Ingredients:

•      3 or 4 tbsp. saggubiyyam (sabudana/tapioca sago/sago pearls)
•      Thick sauce pan
•      3 to 4 tbsp. water

Directions:

1.      Heat the pan on medium heat till it is very hot.
2.      Add sago and keep stirring till the sago pearls turn black.
3.      Sago almost melts in the heat.
4.      Add a little water and keep stirring.
5.      Fried sago melts in water and looks like a paste.
6.      Keep adding water and keep stirring until all the sago melts completely.
7.      Keep stirring till the paste gets a thicker consistency (pouring consistency).
8.      Transfer it to a container and let cool.
9.      It hardens when cooled.

Note: Do not use thin sauce pan, it is better to use an iron one or a thick bottom one. It is better not to use non-stick pans also, as the pan may be ruined. 
Keep the place well ventilated as the fumes may engulf the surroundings.