Vattayappam | Steamed Sweet Rice Cakes

Steamed sweet rice cakes/ bread(vattayappam) are one of the delicacies from the God's own country ,Kerala.The term ' appam' refers to any fermented bread usually prepared from finely powdered rice flour or grounded plain rice.I just love these a lot and make them frequently.But I make it in a different way (traditional way)of making a an additional thick paste using rice flour and water (pav kachunathu/kappi kurukiyathu),then mixing it with the rice paste and grinding coconuts and so on.But here I found out a simple way to make the vattayappams.I used the maggi coconut milk powder and rice flour.It came out very well and thought of sharing this with all.

(Updated pics)

The taste was simply superb and better than the previous method.When you read through ,you may feel this method very simple and interesting.The recipe is a healthy and filling one,guilt free one!!

Ingredients
rice flour - 1 1/2 cup
coconut milk (thick)- 1 1/2 cup
sugar -  1/2 cup (sweet as desired)

cardamom powder -1 tsp
cashew n raisins - 1/4 cup
yeast - 3/4 tsp
salt to taste
water as required

Method

• Prepare the thick coconut milk (I have used the maggi milk powder ) using hot water.
• Mix the rice flour slowly into it and make a thick batter(like idlis).Add this into the blender to make it a smooth paste.
• Add in the sugar,salt, cardamom powder,
• Add in the cashews and raisins.
• Mix the yeast in leuk warm water (about 20 ml) and add to the batter.
• Ferment for about 4-5 hours.Stir well and check the salt and sugar,adjust if required.Add the half of cashews mentioned.
• Grease a plate with sides or the idli moulds with butter or ghee.
• Pour the batter into it.
• Steam in a steamer or idli cooker for 15minutes on medium flame.(I used the idli cooker and made in a small bowl,see last pic)
• Open the lid ,you can see the cake puffed up,add the remaining cashews on top and steam for another 5 minutes.
• Remove from flame,let it cool down,cut into pieces.
• Serve as breakfast or as snack.

Notes
*You can also prepare the same by grinding plain rice and grated coconut.
* You can prepare the same using jaggery instead of sugar.
* The amount of sugar mentioned in the recipe i.e 1/2 cup yields a moderately sweet vattayappam,increase the sugar as per your tastes.Also,sugar content decreases on steaming so always add a slightly more than desired to get the correct sweetness.
* Check for adequate water in the steamer.
* I have added raisins in my second attempt.

(old pic)

Sending this to The Kerala Kitchen Hosted by Khushi @  A Girl's Diary



Also sending this to Any One Can Cook Series 36 hosted by Ayeesha @ Taste of Pearl City