Nei Appam (Sweet Appam) Recipe
Cuisine: Kerala
Course: Snack
Diet: Vegetarian
Prep Time: 2 hours
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Servings: Varies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Rice Flour
- 1 cup Jaggery
- 1/2 cup Water
- 5 Cardamom Pods (Elaichi)
- 2 Ripe Bananas
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
- Ghee (as required, for frying)
Instructions:
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Start by preparing the jaggery syrup. In a saucepan, combine the jaggery and water. Heat it over medium flame until the jaggery dissolves completely. Once the mixture starts boiling, remove it from the flame and allow it to cool completely.
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Mash the ripe bananas with a fork until smooth and creamy.
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In a mixing bowl, combine the rice flour and mashed bananas. Mix well.
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Add the cooled jaggery syrup, cardamom powder (from the 5 cardamom pods), and baking soda. Stir the mixture thoroughly to combine.
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Cover the mixture and let it rest for 2 hours. This resting period helps the flavors to meld together.
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After 2 hours, check the consistency of the batter. If it has thickened too much, add a little water to loosen it, ensuring that the batter is thick but still pourable.
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Heat a paniyaram pan (or an appam pan) on medium flame, ensuring it heats evenly. Add about 1/2 teaspoon of ghee into each slot of the pan.
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Spoon about a tablespoon of batter into each slot of the pan. Cover and cook for about 30 seconds, or until the bottom side turns golden and crisp. The center of the appam should remain slightly runny.
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Carefully flip each appam using a spoon, and cook the other side until it turns golden brown and crispy.
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Once both sides are crispy, remove the appams from the pan and serve hot, drizzled with ghee.
Serving Suggestions:
Enjoy these warm, sweet Nei Appams on their own or as a perfect accompaniment with a hot cup of coffee or chai, making them an ideal breakfast or evening snack, especially during the monsoon season.
