KUZHI PANIYARAM

 KUZHI PANIYARAM

As mentioned in an earlier blog post, Appos are a common breakfast item in our Konkani speaking GSB community. We also make a sweet version, which we call Godu Appo, for festivals when it is offered as naivedhya.  

Over the years, there have been many variations to the standard Appo. Elsewhere in this blog, you will find  recipes for some of them such as:-

• Masala Appo, 
• Oats Appos
• Instant Rava Appos

Recently I came across another version of Appos, which is called Kuzhi Paniyaram in Tamil. I have adapted this recipe from Kuzhi Paniyaram in Kannan's Kitchen.

I found the addition of finely chopped coconut  as an interesting concept.  We enjoyed this Kuzhi Paniyaram for breakfast, served with garlic chutney which we call Losne Chutney in Konkani.

Ingredients:-

• Idli Rice, 2 cups
• Raw Rice, 1/2 cup
• Urad (Black Gram) Dal, 1 cup
• Methi Seeds (Fenugreek Seeds), 1 tsp
• Green Chillies, 2 
• Salt, to taste

For Seasoning The Batter:- 

• Mustard Seeds, 1 tsp
• Urad Dal, 1 tbsp
• Green Chillies, 2 
• Curry Leaves, 1 sprig
• Hing ( Asafoetida), 1/4 tsp
• Medium-sized Onions, 2
• Fresh Coconut, finely chopped, 3 tbsp
• Coriander Leaves, 2 tbsp
• Oil, 2 tbsp

Method:-

Wash the Idli Rice,  Raw Rice  and Urad Dal thoroughly and soak this in adequate water in a vessel, adding methi seeds, for about 4-5 hours

Finely chop the onion, coriander leaves, green chillies, curry leaves and fresh coconut pieces

After 4- 5 hours, drain the water from the soaked ingredients

In a mixer jar,  grind together the soaked rice and dal along with 2 green chillies to a batter of idli batter consistency

Add salt to this batter and water if required, mix well, and allow it to ferment overnight in a covered vessel 

Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a pan and on medium heat add the mustard seeds, when they splutter add the urad dal and sauté till the dal changes colour

Next add the finely chopped green chillies and curry leaves and the asafoetida

To this add the finely chopped onion and sauté till they become translucent

Add this seasoning to the batter  along with finely chopped fresh coconut pieces and coriander leaves 

Mix well and add water and salt if necessary to get a slightly thick batter 

Heat the paniyarakkal or appe pan and pour a little oil in each of the sockets

Now pour the prepared batter in each of the sockets 

Cover and cook on medium flame for a couple of minutes till one side of the paniyaram gets a golden brown colour

Flip each of the paniyarams in their sockets using a skewer 

Add oil as required and cook the paniyaram for 2-3 minutes or till the other side gets done

Check if the paniyarams are done by piercing  the skewer. When the paniyarams are done, the skewer should come out clean

Remove the paniyarams to a plate and repeat the process to make more batches of paniyarams

Serve the Kuzhi Paniyaram hot with a chutney of your choice