Appam Recipe: South Indian Rice Pancakes

Posted on by
Spread the love for Food!!

Appam is a traditional South Indian dish made from a fermented rice and coconut batter. These soft and fluffy rice pancakes have a slightly crispy edge and are typically served with coconut milk, stew, or any preferred side dish. Here’s how to make Appam:

Ingredients:

For the Batter:

  • 2 cups raw rice (preferred: Kerala red rice or idli rice)
  • 1/2 cup cooked rice
  • 1/2 cup grated coconut
  • 1/4 teaspoon active dry yeast
  • 1/4 cup lukewarm water
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • Salt to taste

For Cooking:

  • A little vegetable oil or ghee for greasing the appam pan

Instructions:

1. Preparing the Batter:

  1. Wash the raw rice thoroughly and soak it in enough water for at least 4-6 hours or overnight.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the active dry yeast, lukewarm water, and sugar. Stir well and let it sit for about 10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
  3. Drain the soaked rice and add it to a blender along with the cooked rice and grated coconut.
  4. Pour the yeast mixture into the blender and blend everything together into a smooth batter. Add a little water if needed; the batter should be of pouring consistency.
  5. Transfer the batter to a large bowl, add salt to taste, and mix well.
  6. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let it ferment in a warm, dark place for 8-10 hours or overnight. The batter should rise and become slightly airy.

2. Cooking Appam:

  1. Heat an appam pan (also called appa chatti) over medium heat.
  2. Grease the pan with a little vegetable oil or ghee using a piece of paper towel or a brush.
  3. Pour a ladleful of the fermented batter into the center of the pan.
  4. Hold the pan by the handles and gently swirl it around to spread the batter evenly and form a thin layer along the edges, while keeping the center thicker.
  5. Cover the pan with a lid and cook on low heat for about 2-3 minutes or until the appam’s edges turn golden brown and crisp. The center should remain soft and spongy.
  6. Carefully remove the appam from the pan using a spatula and place it on a serving plate.
  7. Repeat the process with the remaining batter, greasing the pan as needed.

3. Serving Appam:

  1. Serve Appam hot with coconut milk, vegetable stew, egg curry, or any preferred side dish.

Tips:

  • If you don’t have access to Kerala red rice or idli rice, you can use regular raw rice or even a combination of raw and parboiled rice.
  • The consistency of the batter is crucial. It should be thin enough to spread easily in the pan but thick enough to hold its shape and form a slightly thicker center.
  • While cooking, use a lid to create steam within the pan. This helps in cooking the top part of the appam evenly.

Appam is a delightful South Indian dish that’s enjoyed as a breakfast item or as part of a traditional meal. The soft and spongy center, combined with the crisp edges, makes it a favourite among many.

Use Organic Ingredients and savour the true flavours of Indian Cuisine. Ingredients sourced from www.Praakritik.com Use referral code "AROMAS" to avail discounts