Paniyaram / Kuzhi Paniyaram

I never had an appe pan before having Jordan . With the thought of making miniature food for him, I bought this pan and ever since I have never archived it. Every now and then I keep making something or the other in it. The shapes come out in small ball shapes that Jordan loves having it and I love seeing him have with a smile with every bite. I know that excitement is not gonna last long and there would come a stage when I might have to be innovative everyday. 

Paniyarams are one big hit at our home. Everytime I have some left over idli batter, I have to make it. And there are no leftovers of  this paniyaram ever. Everyone loves it.

Our favorite dip for Paniyaram are Capsicum chutney or Tomato chutney or Onion chutney. You could also pair it with some Sambar or Chana dal chutney.

Ingredients

1. 2 cups of idli batter
2. 1/2 tsp of urad dal
3. 1/2 tsp of mustard seeds
4. 1 tbsp of finely chopped onion
5. 1 tsp of finely chopped ginger
6. A pinch of asafoetida 
7. 1 sprig of curry leaves , chopped
8. 1 tbsp of chopped coriander leaves (optional)
9. 1 tbsp of cooking oil
10. Salt to taste 

Method

• In a pan, take the oil. 
• Once hot, add the mustard seeds. Once the mustard seeds pop add the urad dal. Once they start turning brown, add the chopped onion, ginger and curry leaves. Sauté it.
• When the onion turns tender add in the chopped coriander leaves and asafoetida. Stir it well. Remove it from the fire. 
• Add it to the idli batter, along with some salt. Mix it all well.
• Heat up the appe pan. Turn down the heat to low. Drop in 2-3 drops of oil to each hole, if using a non stick appa patra. Else you might have to be a little generous with oil to avoid sticking of paniyarams on to the pan. 
• With a spoon, pour in the batter to each hole until it is 3/4 filled. Cover and cook it for 2 minutes. Flip each paniyaram, cover and cook it for another 2 minutes. Remove it on to a casserole to keep it hot until served.
• Serve it with some sambar and chutney.

Tips

1. You could also add some green chillies to the tempering if you wish to.