Sunday, July 15, 2007

The making of appam

This is a recipe I got from The Epicure Cookbook by Ummi Abdullah. I cant find the book but this is what I remember of it. I (a mediocre and reluctant cook) dedicate this recipe and the visuals to a fellow blogger, who wanted to know what an appam looked like.
You will need:
1/2 kg raw rice soaked in cold water for 4-5 hours
1/2 a shell coconut grated
6 tablespoons cooked rice
1/2 tsp of yeast granules dissolved in a little lukewarm water OR 1/2 teaspoon of instant yeast
salt and sugar (4 tsp) to taste
Preparation
Drain the soaked rice and grind it along with the coconut and cooked rice to a fine thick paste. Add instant yeast and mix lightly. (If you are using the other yeast, mix it in water and 2 tsp sugar, cover and keep till it rises.
Allow to ferment at room temperature for at least 6 hours or keep overnight and make the appams in the morning for breakfast. A pinch of soda bi-carb helps, if the batter hasnt risen yet. Add the sugar and salt. Keep aside for another hour.
Heat a small non-stick wok. Grease it with a cloth/tissue dipped it oil.
Pour approximately a ladle of batter and quickly but gently swirl the pan around such that only a thin layer of the batter covers the sides while the rest of the batter collects at the centre.
Cover with a lid and cook on medium heat till the edges have become golden crisp and the centre is soft and spongy. The edges will start coming off the wok by then.
Warning: Don't blame me if it doesnt come out well. I have already confessed that I am no great cook.
Curse your own stars instead!




6 comments:

Joyismygoal said...

Cool I want to try this

Anonymous said...

hey Rosh,
1/2raw rice..
pl mention 1cup or 1/2 cup//1/2kg

yeast a pinch enough.. why do i use 1 tsp or more..???????
was going to try appam tom.. thought will check out u'r rec..
now will wait till u ..update
ust

Ladybird said...

I updated.
I just came across this vattayappam (rice cake) recipe my landlady gave. It comes out really well.
1.Soak 1 cup rice for 3-4 hrs.
2. Grind along with 1 tablespn cooked rice using some water.
3. Dissolve 1/4 tsp yeast in a little lukewarm water OR add 1/4 tsp instant yst.
4. Grind well 1/2 a coconut grated, add it to the rice paste and cover it with the rice mix - i mean dont mix it till the next morning.
5. Add a pinch of salt and a pinch of soda powder and sugar for taste (say 1/2 cup) before steaming it for 15 minutes. You can decorate with raisins and nuts before steaming.
5. That's our version of a cake.

sangeeta said...

hi lady bird.....i came here through your kerala chicken stew.......ha ha ...found it really nice.
you have the warmth of a home cooked meal.

Ladybird said...

Hi, thanks! That was the warmest comment i received in some weeks :0

Jovy Thomas said...

Good job...Loved ur style! I am going to try this now

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