Starting Sweet

Appam in appam Stand, originally uploaded by Priticrafts.

Nei Appam reminds me of my mother. Today is my Mom's birthday (Happy Birthday!) and now when i come to think of it...not just Appam...everything reminds me of my mother. We share a very special bond and being pregnant has made that bond even more special.

This Appam is amazingly easy to make with just a few ingredients!

1 cup rice flour
1 cup whole-wheat flour
1 medium banana (mashed)
2 cups grated jaggery (that was perfect for me...not too sweet!)
1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder (please use discretion!)
Oil and a little ghee for frying

Procedure:
Heat the jaggery and 1/2 cup water in a pan and bring to a boil. Use a strainer to strain impurities in the liquid and pour the clean jaggery goodness into a bowl along with the rice and wheat powder. Add the mashed banana and mix thoroughly. Let the mixture rest for a few hours...preferably overnight. Next morning, add the cardamom powder and mix...you should have a thick batter, not runny...you can always add a little water if it is too thick. If you have a vessel resembling the one in the picture...heat a teaspoon of oil in each of the 'pits'! If not just heat oil in a pan that you use to deep fry stuff in. When the oil is hot enough (not smoking!) Use a teaspoon to pour a little batter into the oil...fry on both sides for 2 minutes each or till golden brown...if you keep it any longer you will end up having little black rocks for dessert instead of Appams! (Yes...from experience!!) Frying on a medium heat is best. I use wooden skewers to pull the Appams out of the oil...then pour one-two drops of ghee on each Appam for flavor! If health permits...go ahead and fry the Appam in ghee...but don't be surprised if certain parts of your body begin resembling Abums...oops...I meant appams! :)

Enjoy...in moderation!