If you love South Indian food, you probably know how tasty and delightful Appam is. With its soft center and crispy edges, this delightful dish is a morning favorite that can kickstart your day.
Made from fermented rice batter and coconut milk, Appam has a dual taste of spicy and sweet. Whether you pair it with a spicy vegetable stew or a tangy fish curry, it adapts, enhancing the flavors of its accompaniments.
The process of making the Appam recipe, watching the batter spread in the pan, and seeing it rise into a fluffy, golden disc is satisfying in itself. So, are you ready to cook Appam for your family this Sunday morning? Let’s take a look into the process of making an Appam recipe in a few simple steps.
What is Appam?
Appam is a traditional South Indian dish made with fermented rice batter and coconut milk. It is a popular food in the South Indian states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, as well as in Sri Lanka.
The Appam batter recipe includes grinding rice and coconut with a bit of water. This mixture is then combined with yeast and left to ferment overnight. The fermentation process gives Appam its distinctive fluffy center and crispy edges.
Appam is traditionally cooked in a special Appam pan, a small wok-like dish with a lid, which gives it its bowl-like shape. The batter is poured into the heated pan and then swirled to spread the batter evenly. The pan is covered, and the Appam is cooked over medium heat until the edges are crispy and golden and the center is soft and spongy.
But before you start, here’s everything you should know about this delicious recipe
- Preparation Time: 1 Day
- Cooking Time: 20 Minutes
- Servings: 5
Nutrition Facts for Appam
| Nutrition Facts (Per 1 Pc Serving) | |
| Nutrients | Daily Value (%) |
| Calories | 38 |
| Total fat | 2 gm |
| Sodium | 13 mg |
| Potassium | 10 mg |
| Total carbohydrates | .05 gm (3%) |
| Dietary fibre | 0.25 gm (13%) |
| Sugar | 4 gm |
| Protein | 0.10 gm |
| Calcium | 25 mg |
| Iron | 0.26 mg |
| Magnesium | 1 mg |
| Phosphorus | 0.48 mg |
| Zinc | 0.62 mg |
| Vitamin K | 1µg |
| Vitamin B (Folate) | 1µg |
Ingredients for Appam Recipe
- 3 cup raw rice
- Water for soaking & grinding
- ½ cup coconut, grated
- ¼ cup cooked rice
- 1 tsp salt
- Yeast
How to Make Appam?
Here’s how you can make a traditional Kerala-style Appam recipe at home:
- Start by soaking 3 cups of raw rice in a sizable bowl for a duration of 4 hours. After draining the water, shift the rice to a blender.
- Add the necessary amount of water and blend until it turns into a fine paste. Move this rice paste into a large bowl and set it aside.
- Take half a cup of the rice batter you just prepared and combine it with a cup of water in a saucepan.
- Stir and heat until it thickens into a dense paste. Allow this mixture to cool down completely before transferring it back to the blender.
- Add half a cup of coconut and a quarter cup of cooked rice to the blender, along with some water. Blend these ingredients until they form a smooth paste.
- Pour this mixture back into the bowl, using water to rinse out the blender and ensure all the mixture is transferred.
- Stir the mixture thoroughly to ensure all the ingredients are well integrated. Cover the bowl and allow it to ferment for 8 hours or until you see that the batter has fermented sufficiently. Once the batter has fermented, gently stir in a teaspoon of salt.
- Heat up your appam pan and pour in the prepared batter. Swirl the pan once to ensure the batter covers the entire surface. Cover the pan and let it cook until the appam is fully cooked.
- Your delicious appam is now ready to be savored with a side of vegetable stew. Enjoy!
Appam Recipe in Tamil (அப்பம் செய்வது எப்படி?)
பாரம்பரிய கேரள பாணி அப்பம் செய்முறையை வீட்டிலேயே எப்படி செய்யலாம் என்பது இங்கே:
- 3 கப் அரிசியை ஒரு பெரிய பாத்திரத்தில் 4 மணி நேரம் ஊறவைக்கவும். தண்ணீரை வடிகட்டிய பிறகு, அரிசியை ஒரு பிளெண்டருக்கு மாற்றவும்.
- தேவையான அளவு தண்ணீர் சேர்த்து நன்றாக பேஸ்டாக மாறும் வரை கலக்கவும். இந்த அரிசி விழுதை ஒரு பெரிய கிண்ணத்தில் நகர்த்தி தனியே வைக்கவும்.
- நீங்கள் இப்போது தயாரித்த அரிசி மாவை அரை கப் எடுத்து, ஒரு பாத்திரத்தில் ஒரு கப் தண்ணீருடன் இணைக்கவும்.
- அடர்த்தியான பேஸ்டாக கெட்டியாகும் வரை கிளறி சூடாக்கவும். இந்த கலவையை மீண்டும் பிளெண்டருக்கு மாற்றுவதற்கு முன் முழுமையாக குளிர்விக்க அனுமதிக்கவும்.
- அரை கப் தேங்காய் மற்றும் கால் கப் சமைத்த அரிசியை சிறிது தண்ணீர் சேர்த்து பிளெண்டரில் சேர்க்கவும். இந்த பொருட்கள் மென்மையான பேஸ்ட்டை உருவாக்கும் வரை கலக்கவும்.
- இந்த கலவையை மீண்டும் கிண்ணத்தில் ஊற்றவும், தண்ணீரைப் பயன்படுத்தி பிளெண்டரை துவைக்கவும் மற்றும் அனைத்து கலவையும் மாற்றப்படுவதை உறுதி செய்யவும்.
- அனைத்து பொருட்களும் நன்கு ஒருங்கிணைக்கப்படுவதை உறுதிசெய்ய கலவையை நன்கு கிளறவும். கிண்ணத்தை மூடி, 8 மணி நேரம் அல்லது மாவு போதுமான அளவு புளித்திருப்பதைக் காணும் வரை புளிக்க வைக்கவும். மாவு புளித்தவுடன், ஒரு தேக்கரண்டி உப்பு சேர்த்து மெதுவாக கிளறவும்.
- உங்கள் ஆப்பம் பாத்திரத்தை சூடாக்கி, தயாரிக்கப்பட்ட மாவை ஊற்றவும். மாவு முழு மேற்பரப்பையும் உள்ளடக்கியிருப்பதை உறுதிசெய்ய கடாயை ஒருமுறை சுழற்றவும். கடாயை மூடி, ஆப்பம் முழுவதுமாக வேகும் வரை வேக விடவும்.
- உங்கள் ருசியான ஆப்பம் இப்போது காய்கறி ஸ்டவ்வுடன் சுவைக்க தயாராக உள்ளது. மகிழுங்கள்!
Serving Suggestions for Appam
Appam can be served with a variety of accompaniments, such as vegetable stew, chicken curry, or sweetened coconut milk. Its mild flavor makes it a versatile dish that can be enjoyed anytime, be it breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Appam’s unique texture and taste make it a beloved dish in its regions of origin and beyond.
Tips and Variations for Appam Recipe
- Ensure the batter is kept in a warm place for at least 8 hours
- The batter should have a pouring consistency but not be too thin. It should coat the back of a spoon lightly.
- Use an Appam chatti (pan) to get the best results. Its curved sides help achieve the perfect shape.
- Pour the batter into the center of the pan, then quickly swirl it around to spread it evenly and create the signature edges.
- Add a pinch of yeast to the batter for a quicker fermentation process. This is especially useful in colder climates.
- If you’re not a fan of coconut, you can omit it. The Appams will still be tasty but less rich.
- Add jaggery and cardamom to the batter for a sweet version that can be enjoyed as a dessert.
- Use red rice instead of white for a healthier alternative with a nuttier flavor.
- Beat an egg into the batter for a richer taste and added protein.
FAQs
What is Appam Batter Made of?
Appam batter is a blend of rice and coconut milk. It’s ground to a smooth consistency and left to ferment, creating a light, fluffy texture.
Is Appam Made from Dosa Batter?
While similar, appam batter is distinct from dosa batter. It includes coconut milk for richness and is slightly thicker to achieve its characteristic soft center.
Can Appam be Made with Rice Flour?
Yes, appam can be made using rice flour. This alternative method involves fermenting rice flour with yeast and coconut milk to achieve a similar texture.
How is Appam Eaten?
Appam is typically enjoyed with a variety of sides like vegetable stew, coconut chutney, or curries. It’s a versatile dish that pairs well with both sweet and savory flavors.
Why is Appam Healthy?
Appam is healthy due to its fermentation, which enriches it with Vitamin B-12. It’s easily digestible and low in calories, making it a nutritious breakfast option.
Tags: Delicious Appam