By Bornika Das
March 14, 2024
Appam, also known as palappam in Malayalam or hoppers in English, is a tasty and fluffy pancake from Kerala cuisine. It is made from fermented rice and coconut batter. Appam is thin and crispy around the edges with a soft, fluffy centre, that tastes delicious when paired with vegetable or chicken stew. Here is a recipe to try:
1.5 cups + 1 tablespoon rice flour ¾ teaspoons instant yeast 2 teaspoons sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup thick coconut milk
Add a tablespoon of rice flour to 1 cup water and cook on medium flame until thick and glossy. Remove from heat and set it aside.
When cool, add the remaining flour and yeast and mix with your fingertips gently. Cover and set aside in a warm place for 8 hours or overnight.
Add coconut milk to the mixture and mix well. You can add water to bring the batter to a pouring consistency.
Add salt and sugar. Set aside for 1-2 hours. The mixture should bubble up and get much lighter and watery.
Add salt and sugar. Set aside for 1-2 hours. The mixture should bubble up and get much lighter and watery.
Heat an appam pan and pour a ladle of batter into it. Holding the appam pan by the handles on both sides, gently swirl the batter along the edges.
Cover and cook on medium heat until the centre is cooked, and the edges are thin and crispy. Remove and serve with hot stew.