Uthappam

I usually make Uthappam with the leftoer idli / dosai batter. Though they come out well, I find that they turn hard and dry, as they cool down. My mom suggested I try and make uthappam with a different batter and I tried the same. This is the traditional and conventional recipe! This time they turned out to be real soft and still firm and didn't dry out like before.

Decorating Uthappam is the fun part, you can use carrots, tomatoes, onions, green chillies, cilantro and any other vegetables of your choice! ( the ones that taste good even when they are raw) . D's maternal Paati  gave me a very interesting serving tip; she suggested that I try out bite size uthappams. These can be served as an appetizer or as fun food for kids or even adults. Bite size uthappams were a super hit and both me and D loved them.

  

Inactive prep time - 12-18 hrs

Active prep time - 5-8 mins per uthappam

Ingredients :

For the batter :

Boiled rice - 3 cups

Udat dal - 1 cup

Tuvar dal - 1/2 cup

Fenugreek / methi seeds - 1 tbsp

Salt- 2 and 1/2 tsp salt

For Garnishing :

Onion - cut into 1 inch strips

Tomato - cut into 1 inch strips

Green chillies - as per taste

Cilantro - chopped

Procedure :

Wash and soak all the ingredients under the " for the batter " section for 7-8 hours and grind into a fine and thick batter by adding very little water.

Cover and let the batter to ferment for about 8-10 hours.

Take a griddle on medium heat, pour few drops of oil over it and spread using a tissue or wooden spatula.

Once hot, pour the batter in the centre of the griddle with a large spoon according to your prefered thickness. Let the batter spread and settle into a circular shape. Now, pour little oil on the sides of the uthappam and garnish with the vegetables, cilantro and green chillies. Cook under medium-to-low heat otherwise the insides of the uthappam might not get cooked. Once the lower side turns golden brown in color, then flip the uthappam carefully and let the other side also get cooked. Wait till this side also turns golden brown.

For the bite size uthappams pour the batter over the griddle with a small spoon and garnish with your choice of vegetables. Cook till both the sides are done.

Serve hot with sambar ot chutney.