Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Appe (Idly Batter)

Let me introduce you to "Appe Patra" or "Appe Pan" or "Appe Skillet".


As you can see, it seems to be similar to a serving dish used for deviled eggs. But dont be fooled!
This pan is extreamly effective for frying with a few drops of oil, without compromising too much on the taste.
The time saved is amazing!!
Do I need to sell this idea anymore?

Where do you get one?
I got mine from India, but I have seen many appe patras in India grocery stores in the USA.
When you are buying the pan, make sure the coating is intact and nothing is chipped or scratched.
I dint get one, but a pan with a handle would be much more convenient to use while you make appe.

Let me introduce you to appe with a very simple idly variation!
You can make a whole lot of amazing bite sized appe in this pan...but let us go there one step at a time.

I have served my appe with chana dal and coconut chutney! You can serve them with any chutney you like or even with ketchup if you are time pressed.

Here is how you make idly appe!

Level: Simple
Serves: 6 to 8 people



Ingredients:
1 box of idly batter (I used ready made 'Shashta' Batter)
2 inches ginger, finely chopped
1 tblsp cumin seeds
3 - 4 green chillies, finely chopped
Salt if not already added in the idly batter

Method:
Step 1 - Take all the idly batter in a bowl. Add ginger, green chillies and cumin seeds. Mix well.

Step 2 - Heat the 'appe patra'. When hot, drop 1 drop of oil in each depression. Immediately drop 1 tblsp each of the batter into each depression in the pan. Do not let the batter overflow. You need to add batter till it reaches the rim of each depression. Cover the appe pan for 2 - 3 mins. The appe are done when the tops are no longer liquid and the batter stops sticking to the pan. Each appe should easily flip over with a wooden spoon.

Step 3 - Once flipped, keep the appe pan open and let the bottoms cook for another 2 - 3 mins.

Take them onto a pan and serve them with your favorite chutney or ketchup!

Tips:
Make sure the pan is hot when you start pouring batter into the appe pan.
Do not use metal objects to flip appe in an appe pan. It chips the coating.

You can of course use homemade idly batter. Gits or MTR ready to make idly/medu wada batters also work well.

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