Idiyappam with Vegetable Stew

Idiyappam is a healthy steamed dish made from rice flour.It pairs well with vegetable stew or sweetened coconut milk.Lets see the recipe.

Ingredients:

For the Idiyappam:

Idiyappam flour(I used Nirapara brand)	1 ½ cups
Water( see note below)	2 cups
Salt	a pinch
Oil	1 tsp

For the vegetable stew:

Mixed vegetables(potato,carrot,peas,beans)	1 ½ cups
Green chilli	1
Red chilli powder	as needed
Garam masala powder	¼ tsp
Onion	1
Tomato	1
Curry leaves	as needed
Salt	as needed
Coconut milk powder(see note below)	3 tblsp
Oil	2 tsp

Method:

Idiyappam preparation:

• Take the Idiyappam flour in a bowl.
• Bring water to a rolling boil in a pan.Add salt and oil and add little by little to the idiyappam flour and mix with a ladle.It will form a slightly sticky dough.
• When the dough forms a mass and is hot enough to handle with hands,make a smooth ball of the dough.Place it in a idiyappam press and make small rounds of idiyappam on a idli plate greased with little oil.
• Steam for about 12 minutes.

Vegetable stew Preparation:

• Boil the mixed vegetables in water till they are cooked.
• Heat a kadai with oil and add slit green chilli and curry leaves.
• Add finely chopped onion and fry till it turns translucent.Now ad dthe tomatoes and fry till they turn mushy.Add salt and red chilli powder and garam masala powder and fry well.
• Make coconut milk by adding 3 tblsp coconut milk powder to 1 cup of water.
• Now add the boiled vegetables and the prepared coconut milk.
• Adjust the consistency of the stew by adding little water if required.
• Boil for 2-3 mins and serve.

Note:

• Add hot water little by little till you get right consistency.And always cover the dough with a wet cloth to prevent it from drying.If the dough is very stiff it will be difficult to press.Check if your idiyappam flour has salt added in it.Skip salt if already added.
• For the stew,the vegetables can be of your choice.I have used coconut milk powder(store bought) to make coconut milk.You can also extract coconut milk from fresh coconut and use.