Introduction:

 

Let me share a little story about the first time I tasted Appam and Vegetable Stew. It was during a trip to Kerala, India, where I stumbled upon this delightful combination of fluffy, soft appams paired with a fragrant and flavorful vegetable stew. The moment I took my first bite, I was hooked! The subtle sweetness of the appams combined with the aromatic spices in the stew created a culinary experience like no other. Since then, I've been eager to recreate this dish at home, and now, I'm excited to share my version of the recipe with you.

 

 

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Recipe of Appam and Vegetable Stew

 

For Appam:

 

Ingredients:

• Suji: 1 cup
• Salt: 1 tsp
• Sugar: 1 tsp
• Water: ¾ cup
• Curd: ¾ cup
• Coconut milk: 3 tbsp
• Fruit salt: 1 tsp

Method:

1. Prepare the Batter:

   • In a mixer jar, combine suji, salt, sugar, and water. Grind until you get a smooth paste.
   • Add curd to the paste and blend again until well combined.
   • Transfer the batter to a bowl and mix in the coconut milk until you achieve a consistent batter.
   • Sprinkle fruit salt or eno over the batter and gently fold it in.

2. Cooking the Appam:

   • Heat a flat pan and lightly grease it.
   • Pour a ladleful of appam batter onto the pan and use the back of the ladle to spread it into a thick circle.
   • Cook on low to medium heat until the edges turn golden brown and crispy.
   • Carefully flip the appam and cook the other side until it's cooked through.
   • Once both sides are cooked, remove the appam from the pan and place it on a plate.
   • Repeat the process with the remaining batter to make more appams.

 

For Vegetable Stew:

 

Ingredients:

• French beans: ½ cup
• Potato, peeled & diced: ½ cup
• Carrot, diamond cut: ½ cup
• Coconut oil: 1 tbsp
• Star anise: 3 pcs
• Cinnamon: 1 inch
• Green cardamom: 2-3 pcs
• Cloves: 2-3 pcs
• Black pepper: 8-10 pcs
• Onion, sliced: 1 cup
• Ginger, chopped: ½ tbsp
• Green chilli, slit
• Curry leaves: 10-12 pcs
• Salt: 1 tsp
• Water: as required
• Coconut milk: 1 cup

Method:

1. Cooking the Stew:
   • Heat coconut oil in a pressure cooker over medium heat.
   • Add star anise, cinnamon, green cardamom, cloves, and black pepper. Let them crackle and release their aromas.
   • Add sliced onions and sauté until they turn translucent and slightly golden.
   • Add chopped ginger, green chili, and curry leaves. Sauté for a minute until fragrant.
   • Add chopped vegetables (French beans, potatoes, carrots) and sauté for a couple of minutes.
   • Pour in enough water to cover the vegetables and add salt to taste.
   • Close the lid of the pressure cooker and cook the vegetables for 2-3 whistles or until they're tender.
   • Once the pressure has released, open the cooker and stir in coconut milk. Adjust the consistency by adding more water if needed.
   • Allow the stew to simmer on low heat for about 8-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
   • Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

 

Serving:

• Serve the hot and fluffy appams with the fragrant vegetable stew.
• Enjoy the delightful combination of soft appams and flavorful vegetable stew, perfect for a wholesome meal!

 

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About the Recipe:

 

Appam and Vegetable Stew is a traditional South Indian dish that consists of soft, spongy appams served with a fragrant and mildly spiced vegetable stew. Appams are made from fermented rice batter and coconut milk, giving them a slightly sweet taste and a soft, fluffy texture. The vegetable stew is made with a variety of vegetables like carrots, potatoes, peas, and beans, cooked in a coconut milk base with aromatic spices like curry leaves, cinnamon, and cloves. This combination of flavors and textures makes Appam and Vegetable Stew a comforting and satisfying meal.

 

 

Cooking Tips:

 

1. For soft and fluffy appams, ensure that the batter is fermented well. This may take anywhere from 6 to 8 hours, depending on the temperature of your surroundings.
2. Use freshly extracted coconut milk for the best flavor in both the appams and the stew. You can also use canned coconut milk as a substitute.
3. Adjust the spiciness of the vegetable stew according to your preference by adding more or less green chilies.
4. To enhance the flavor of the stew, temper it with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and dried red chilies before adding the vegetables.
5. Serve hot appams with warm vegetable stew for a delicious and wholesome meal.

 

 

Pairing Guide:

 

Appam and Vegetable Stew pair perfectly together as a complete meal. However, you can also serve them with coconut chutney or pickle for added flavor. Additionally, a side of crispy papadams complements the dish well.

 

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Appam and Vegetable Stew:

 

1. What are Appams made of? Appams are made from a batter consisting of rice, coconut, yeast, sugar, and salt, which is fermented overnight to achieve a soft and fluffy texture.

2. Can I use store-bought coconut milk for the vegetable stew? Yes, you can use canned or tetra pack coconut milk as a convenient alternative to freshly extracted coconut milk.

3. How long does it take to ferment the appam batter? The fermentation process for appam batter usually takes around 6 to 8 hours, depending on the temperature and humidity of your surroundings.

4. Can I make Appam and Vegetable Stew ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare both the appams and the vegetable stew ahead of time and reheat them before serving for a quick and easy meal.

5. What vegetables can I use in the stew? You can use a variety of vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, peas, beans, cauliflower, and bell peppers in the vegetable stew, depending on your preference and availability.

6. Is Appam and Vegetable Stew a vegetarian dish? Yes, Appam and Vegetable Stew is a vegetarian dish that does not contain any meat or animal products.

7. Can I make gluten-free appams? Yes, you can make gluten-free appams by using gluten-free rice flour or a combination of rice and urad dal (black gram) flour.

8. What is the traditional method of cooking appams? Traditionally, appams are cooked in a special curved pan called an appam chatti or appachatti, which gives them their distinctive shape and texture.

9. Is Appam and Vegetable Stew a breakfast dish? While Appam and Vegetable Stew can be enjoyed for breakfast, it is also commonly served for lunch or dinner in South Indian households.

10. Can I add non-vegetarian ingredients to the stew? Yes, you can customize the vegetable stew by adding cooked chicken, shrimp, or fish for a non-vegetarian version of the dish.

 

That's all for now! I hope you enjoy making and savoring this delicious Appam and Vegetable Stew recipe!

 

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