Vellaiappam ( Savoury Kuzhipaniyaram)

Velliappam  is a different breakfast or a evening snack and is  a welcome change from the usual fare. This is made in special moulds called paniyaram moulds , in which the batter is cooked in very little oil.  Generally these moulds are made of cast iron . Nowadays non stick version of the moulds are available too in the market.

Ingredients

  • Raw Rice 3 cups,
  • Black gram dal 1 cup,
  • Salt 4 teaspoon,
  • Ginger Chopped 5 tablespoon,
  • Green chillies ( chopped fine ) 5 to 6,
  • Black peppercorns 1 teaspoon,
  • Cumin seeds 2 teaspoon,
  • Curry leaves ¼ cup,
  • Coriander a handful (chopped),
  • Oil for deep frying.

Method

  1. Soak the rice and dal separately.
  2. After three hours or more, drain the rice and dry. Grind  to a fine powder .
  3.  Drain and grind the dal well, to a  spongy batter .
  4. Add 1 cup of water or more to the powdered rice, along with salt, ginger, curry leaves, green chillies and coriander leaves.
  5. Break the peppercorns and cumin roughly with a pestle or in a mixie and add to the batter.  Add black gram dal batter too .
  6. Mix well, to make a thick pouring consistency .
  7. Keep aside for fermentation for 6 to 8 hours. During summers, 4 to 5 hours of fermentation  is more than enough.
  8. Heat  paniyara moulds ,rub a teaspoon of in each mould , take a little of the batter, in a deep spoon or ladle and pour into each  mould and shallow fry.
  9. When one side become golden brown turn to other side and cook too. Drain in a parchment paper.
  10. These can be made by putting  directly, a ladle of batter into hot oil and deep fried to golden brown.
  11. Serve with coconut chutney.
  12. The dosa or idli batter can be used to make the above recipe .
  13. If the batter is not fermented enough , add a ladle or two of curd and mix . Use it immediately.