Aapam and Stew

Aapam is a rice pancake traditionally made in the Indian state of Kerala. I ate it for the first time at my aunt's home. It was absolutely yummy - lovely and soft. The next was when my sister-in-law made it. Took the recipe from her and have since made it a few times. 

One of the dishes that Aapam is served with is Stew. Both dishes are simple and easy to make and delicious.

You Need:

For the Aapam-

• 3 cups rice (the rice you use for making idli/dosa)
• 1/2 of a coconut grated
• 1 cup cooked rice
• Salt

For the Stew-

• 1 large onion thinly sliced
• 2 cups mixed veggies cubed - potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, peas
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 1/4 tsp mustard seeds
• 2 green chilies
• 2 sprigs curry leaves
• 200 ml coconut cream/milk
• salt

Steps:

For the Aapam-

• Wash the rice well and soak for 4-6 hours.
• Add rice, coconut and cooked rice and grind to a runny batter (little thinner than a dosa batter).
• Add salt and mix well and store in a closed vessel.
• Allow it to ferment for atleast 10-12 hours.
• After the batter has fermented, heat a small non-stick pan which has a lid to cover it well.
• Sprinkle a few drops of oil on the pan when it heats up.
• Pour a ladle full of batter in the pan and swirl it around to coat the bottom of the pan. 
• Cover and allow it to cook for about 30 seconds to a minute depending on the size of your pan.
• Open and check. If the top of the pancake looks cooked, remove and serve.

For the Stew:

• In a pan heat the coconut oil and add the mustard seeds.
• When it splutters, add the curry leaves and slit green chillies. Then add the onions and saute till it turns pink in colour.
• Add the rest of the vegetables and saute. Season with salt. Allow the vegetable to cook. Add little water if required.
• When the vegetables are almost cooked, add the coconut cream and make sure the heat is turned to low. 
• Allow it to warm up well. 
• Serve hot with the aapams.

Notes:

• Use old rice while grinding the batter for the Aapams.
• I did not have green chilies at home, so used one red chilie. Adjust number of chilies as per heat you would like.
• You can also make Stew with just onions and boiled potatoes.
• Stew also goes well with Dosas and Uttapams.
• The Appam is actually white in colour. The pictures appear in different shades due to the lighting.
• Extra batter can be refrigerated and used the next day.