For the Indian Cooking Challenge in June, we decided to make Kuzhalappam, a Kerala Special.
The recipe suggested for this month came from Priya Suresh. She pinged me to ask if I had decided the challenge and naturally she was asked to suggest something. She emailed right away with this link to Kuzhalappam, from Erivum Puliyum. Needless to say, I enjoyed reading through this blog and the other recipes that authored had shared.
Being a fried snack, I fell in love with the snack. This is the first time I am hearing about this Kerala Special. With all our familiarity with Kerala Cuisine, I was glad that there are still some that we are not aware of. I wanted to check out if this recipe has been posted by others. I found Shn and Swapna, both bloggers who feature Kerala Cuisine, have posted this.
So for the challenge, I listed all three recipes, as all three were different. I had noted down all three and wanted to at least try two versions. I ended up mixing the recipes in a sort and missed out on making the sweet version. As always I didn't actually go through the recipe completely and when I used my finger to make the tubers, I thought that was a neat idea.
Imagine how funny it was when I actually went through the recipe again just now and realized that's how one is supposed to make it. Julie has shown using her index finger, while I used my little finger. Naturally, my little finger must be the same as her index finger!
Shn used coconut milk and had such pretty pictures as always. However, I mistook seeing her pictures that getting the dough is an easy thing. I know practice surely gets this perfect. However, the last day of the challenge is never the day to experiment right.
Anyway, I used both coconut paste as suggested by Julie and coconut milk. The only left out was making a sweeter version of this by dipping it into sugar/ jaggery syrup. I am hoping I will make this again sometime.
The coconut paste with shallot onions, garlic, gave such a delicious taste to the snack. Even as I was making Peddu grabbed as much as he could and that resulted in him not having his lunch. Chinnu felt this may not be his liking, so I had to cajole him.
Though the moment he ate, he was asking for more. We told him that he ought to be more adventurous in the future. Konda came just now and seeing the pictures, was sad she didn't get to even taste. I had saved up some for her. And yes she was so glad she got her share.
With just 1 and 1/2 cup of flour, you only get about 25 - 30 pieces.
Kuzhalappam ~ Kerala Special
Adapted from Julie and referred Shn's recipe
Ingredients Needed
Rice flour - 1 and 1 / 4 cup
Cumin Seeds - 1/4 tsp
Black sesame seeds - 1 tsp (I used white)
Water - 1 cup almost
Salt - 1 tsp
For the paste
Coconut 1/2 cup
Cumin seeds+ 1/3 tsp
Shallots / Small Onions - 3-4 small
Garlic - 1 big clove
Coconut Milk - 2 tbsp (you can use water if this is not available)
Oil for deep frying
How to make Kuzhalappam
To make the Coconut Paste
Pavani N says
I missed this month's challenge -- it was a little busy with my husband travelling and then all of us leaving for a 2 day trip.
Those kuzhalappam look yummy. I especially like the coconut masala addition, must have made them so yummy. Will try some time.
Veena Theagarajan says
so yummy and crispy
Nivedita Thadani says
I LOVED MAKING THESE, AND ME TOO LOVED THE ADDITION OF COCONUT,
LOOKING FORWARD FOR MORE CHALLENGES.
Corporate to Kitchen says
These are my hubby's fav & loved ur step by step process. I want to join this challenge Valli. Can I join & how?
vaishali sabnani says
Oh these look so good mine were a little oily but with a wonderful taste. step by step as usual are a great help.
Preeti Garg says
Look wonderful and thanks for giving us this chance to try this wonderful snack in own kitchen..
Sab says
How many kuzhalappams does this recipie make please reply as soon as possible
Srivalli says
Sab I got about 25 - 30 such pieces as you see in the photos.