Rice Flour Vattayappam

Vattayappam: A Traditional Steamed Rice Cake from Kerala

Vattayappam, as the name suggests, is a delicious steamed rice cake commonly found in the households of Kerala. This spongy and soft cake is made using rice or rice flour, and there are several variations in its preparation. Here, I am sharing an easy and simple recipe using rice flour.

A Delightful Evening Snack

Vattayappam is typically enjoyed as an evening snack with its subtle sweetness. Sugar is added to give it the desired sweet flavor. However, if you plan to have it with a side dish such as chicken curry, beef curry, or any other accompaniment, it is advisable to reduce the sugar content accordingly.

Ingredients and Preparation

This vattayappam recipe involves rice flour, boiled rice, and soaked rice flakes. These ingredients are blended together to achieve a consistency similar to dosa batter. The fermentation process occurs with the help of yeast, and the batter is left to rest for about 5 to 6 hours. Once the batter is fermented, it is steamed in a steamer to create a soft and fluffy rice cake filled with air holes.

The batter used for vattayappam is quite similar to the batter of paalappam. Traditionally, leftover paalappam batter is often used to make vattayappam. However, in this recipe, we are using fine rice flour instead of raw rice. The addition of cardamom enhances its aroma, while grated coconut contributes to its rich taste and texture.

Customizing Your Vattayappam

For an added touch of flavor and texture, you can sprinkle your favorite dry fruits on top of the vattayappam. If you choose to do so, add them only after 5 minutes of steaming; otherwise, they might settle at the bottom of the tin. Additionally, while pouring the batter into the tin, ensure that only half of the tin is filled, leaving enough space for the batter to expand during steaming.

Simple and Fluffy Vattayappam Recipe

Ingredients:

Rice flour – 1 cup
Grated coconut – 3/4 cup
Boiled rice – 1/2 cup
Soaked rice flakes – 1/2 cup
Yeast – 1/2 teaspoon
Sugar – 1/2 cup
Salt – 1 pinch
Cardamom powder – 1/2 teaspoon
Ghee – 1/2 teaspoon
Water – 1 1/2 cup

Method of Preparation:

Take a blender and add 1 cup of rice flour to it.
Add soaked rice flakes, grated coconut, and boiled rice to the blender.
Include sugar, salt, cardamom powder, and instant yeast.
Gradually add water in batches and blend until the mixture reaches a dosa batter consistency.
Transfer the batter to a large mixing bowl and stir with a spatula.
Cover the bowl and let the batter rest undisturbed for 5 to 6 hours to allow fermentation.
Prepare a round aluminum tin suitable for steaming by brushing it with ghee to ensure easy removal of the vattayappam.
Once the batter is fermented, stir it gently and transfer it into the prepared tin.
Boil water in a steamer and place the tin inside.
Steam for 15 to 20 minutes. Insert a toothpick to check if the vattayappam is fully cooked.
Transfer the steamed vattayappam to a plate, cut it into pieces, and serve it to your family and friends.