Delicious Appam and Stew Recipe from Kerala

Appam and stew is a popular breakfast dish in Kerala, India, and it is also a common dish in Sri Lankan cuisine. It is believed that appam originated in the southern parts of India and Sri Lanka.

Appam is made with a fermented batter of rice and coconut milk. The batter is poured onto a hot, slightly concave griddle called "appachatti" and swirled around to form a thin pancake with a crispy edge and a soft, fluffy center. Appam is typically served with a coconut milk-based stew that is made with a variety of vegetables, meat, or fish. The stew is flavored with spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and curry leaves, and it has a rich and creamy texture.

Here's a recipe for appam and stew:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup raw rice
• 1/4 cup grated coconut
• 1/2 tsp instant yeast
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• 1/2 cup warm water
• Salt to taste
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1 potato, cubed
• 1 carrot, cubed
• 1/2 cup green peas
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1 tbsp oil
• Curry leaves
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Soak the rice in water for 3-4 hours.
2. Drain the water and grind the rice along with grated coconut and warm water to form a smooth batter.
3. Add yeast, sugar, and salt to the batter and mix well.
4. Cover the batter and let it ferment for 8-10 hours or overnight.
5. Add coconut milk to the batter and mix well.
6. Heat an appachatti or a non-stick pan.
7. Pour a ladleful of batter into the center of the pan and swirl the pan around to spread the batter evenly.
8. Cover the pan and let the appam cook for 2-3 minutes on medium heat until the edges turn golden brown.
9. Remove the appam from the pan and repeat the process with the remaining batter.

For the stew:

1. Heat oil in a pan and add curry leaves.
2. Add sliced onions and sauté until they turn translucent.
3. Add chopped tomatoes and sauté until they turn soft.
4. Add cubed potatoes, carrots, and green peas and sauté for a few minutes.
5. Add turmeric powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, and garam masala, and mix well.
6. Add coconut milk and salt to taste.
7. Bring the stew to a boil and let it simmer for 5-10 minutes until the vegetables are cooked.

Serve the appam hot with the stew. Enjoy!