Traditional Paalappam (with & without Yeast) & Corn Ishtu | Laced Rice Pancake(with & without Yeast) & Corn Stew | Kerala Traditional Breakfast

Appam/Laced Rice pancakes is a common breakfast menu in Kerala and invariably stews pair best with appams.Stews can be made with chicken; chicken stew or a veg version like vegetable stew,mixed bean stew.simple chicken curry also works best with my kids.My family likes corn on the cob and corn kernels too.I had a packet of corn kernels in the freezer and so prepared a stew with this.This was a very healthy combo with appams,we all liked it a lot.Do try this out if u like corn kernels.

(Pics updated + updated pic of a tried version of paalappam without yeast, tastes soft & delicious)

(paalappam with chicken curry)

Ingredients
for appam
raw rice (pachari) 2 cups
dry active instant yeast 1/2tsp or kallu (coconut fermented wine)1/4 cup(2 tbsp)
cooked rice 2 tbsp (refer notes)
coconut milk 1.5 cups (refer notes)
sugar 1tbsp
salt 1/2 tsp

for corn stew
corn kernels 1 cup
potato 1 mashed (medium size)
onion 1 sliced
ginger garlic paste 1 tsp
green chillies 3-4
thick coconut milk 1/3 cup
thin coconut milk 1 cup
coriander powder 1tsp
pepper powder 1 tsp
garam masala 1/2 tsp
turmeric powder 1/2 tsp
salt
oil 2tsp
curry leaves few

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Method 
for appam
-Wash and soak the rice in enough water for 3–4 hours.Add this to a blender/mixer/grinder and grind it till smooth with little water added.
-Remove this to a bowl and grind the cooked rice until smooth.Add this to the same bowl, mix the coconut milk in it and dissolve the yeast in about 3tbsp of warm water, add the sugar in it.Add salt and leave aside for 6–7 hours to ferment. OR If you are adding kallu, then omit adding yeast and add kallu, mix well.Leave aside to ferment 6–8 hours or overnight.
-Ensure to mix the batter well before making appams in the morning.
-Heat an appa chatti or a non-stick pan with sides.Let it heat well on medium heat and pour a ladle of batter in it.Swirl the pan by holding the sides such that it forms a lace at the sides.Cover the pan and cook on low to medium heat.Open the lid after 2 minutes to note the sides starts to give up and slightly browned.Remove it on a plate and repeat the same steps for other appams till you finish (Don't stack the appams one above the other when hot as they tend to stick, I generally take them on a parchment paper and when warm, transfer to a serving dish and stack).
-Serve with chicken stew/ mixed bean stew / corn stew (recipe follows)!!




Servings ~ 15-17 appams

NOTES
* Don't stack appams one above the other when hot otherwise it may stick together.Wait till it cools slightly and then stack.
* You can grind the equal amount of shredded coconut(about 1 cup) too instead of coconut milk.I have used thick coconut milk.
* In place of cooked rice, you can heat about 1/2 cup water in a pan.Add rice flour(3 tbsp) or remove 2 tbsp of the ground batter to the pan and mix the flour or ground batter without lumps, keep stirring till the water is completely absorbed and it forms a solidified thick paste.Put off flame and let it cool.Add this to the ground batter, mixing gently without lumps.This method is known as kappi kurikayathu /pav kachunathu.

(Corn Ishtu)

FOR CORN STEW
-Boil the potato in a pressure cooker until 3 whistles with water and salt.Release pressure, drain water and mash the potatoes.
-Thaw the corn kernels, either by putting in hot water or using microwave. OR if you are using fresh corn kernels, you can skip the thawing.
-Heat oil in a pan and add the sliced onions, and curry leaves.Sauté onions till translucent.
-Add the ginger-garlic paste, green chillies and sauté till raw smell disappears.
-Add the corn kernels and sauté again.
-Add all the spices on low flame and sauté till raw smell disappears and wait till the raw smell disappears.
-Add the thin coconut milk and bring to boil.Cover and cook for 10 minutes.
-Wait till the gravy slightly thickens.Adjust salt and increase pepper powder if required for spiciness.Lower the flame and add the thick coconut milk and wait till one or two bubbles appear at the surface.Put off flame and remove from fire.
-Serve with appams!!

Paalappam made without yeast, using kallu  is below-