I’m in heaven.
On the map it is called Kerala. In local lore they call it God’s own country. In my heart it is home, and Love, and everything heaven might be if we are so lucky.
So of course, breakfast here is like heaven on a plate. The many versions of fermented rice dishes offered in the morning – the Appam, Idli, Idiyappam, and others – are like puffy clouds of healing delight. Often served with vegetable stew, a korma, or sambar, and coconut chutney, it’s a warm welcome to the day.
Appam is one we’ve been enjoying regularly here at our Ayurveda Retreat on the Kerala coast. Also called “rice hoppers,” Appam are thin, pillowy crepes made of fermented rice and coconut. With a soft center and crispy edges, it’s truly heaven in a bite – a light and healthy delight!
Easy to digest, but more complex to prepare, I’ve been searching for a recipe that simplifies it, and love this elegant approach from Indian food writer Tarla Dalal.
I wish I could send it to you on a puff cloud, but offer the recipe as inspiration, and would love to hear if you try it. Hope you do, because if heaven serves breakfast it will be something like this. 💛🍃
Easy Appam
Recipe from Tarla Dalal
Ingredients
2 cups raw rice
1/2 cup cooked rice
2 cups coconut milk
2 teaspoon coconut sugar
pink salt to taste
1/2 teaspoon yeast
1 tabelspoon coconut oil, or as needed
Instructions
Wash and soak the rice for 2-3 hours. Drain.
Combine the soaked rice, cooked rice and 1/2 cup coconut milk and blend until smooth. Stir in the sugar and remaining coconut milk and mix well.
In a small bowl combine the yeast with a little warm water. Stir into the rice mixture. Cover and rest for 2-3 hours.
Heat a small skillet – in Kerala they have “appam kadhal” a special pan that looks like a small wok. If you do have a round bowl like pan use that. Otherwise a small skillet will do.
Melt a knob of coconut oil in the pan. Spoon in a ladleful of the batter and swirl the pan in a circular motion so a thin layer forms on the sides while the middle remains thick.
Cover and cook for 1 minute. Remove when the edges are crsipy and the middle is cooked.
Repeat for remaining batter and serve with a vegetable korma, coconut chutney.
Ayurveda Book Giveaway
My Ayurveda teacher and mentor, Ayurvedic scholar and educator, Director of Kerala Ayurveda USA, formerly the Chief Medical Officer at Ayurvedagram, and current President of NAMA, Dr Jayarajan Kodikannath has just released a book, A Parent’s Complete Guide to Ayurveda and I would like to offer it to two dedicated readers!
Co-written with Alyson Young Gregory, this book is an accessible primer to pediatric Ayurveda, with simple, common sense dietary, herbal, and self-care practices to address various ailments and promote vibrant health and wellness in children.
Please comment below if you would like to enter for the draw. I will send the ebook so all locations welcome. Two names will be chosen Friday.
Thank you! To your best health 💛🍃
Love the simplified recipe! Put me in for the drawing please!
Thanks Glen. You are in!
I will definitely be making these Appams! Every recipe presented in food-alovestory, is delightfully described, raising the appeal. Visiting my grandkids this week brings another generation into healthy eating. Thanks for keeping us tuned in to the “love channel”❤️
Lucky family! You are such a wonderful soul Kate. Let me know what you think. Meanwhile, enjoy your time with your little ones.
Sounds so delightful:) thank you 😍
You are so wonderful. Thank you Cindy.
Cindy, You are a winner! I will be in touch for details. Thank you! xo
I’m pretty sure your words are what make any recipe a heavenly experience. You have such a beautiful way of expression Laura. Can’t wait to make this deliciousness. Would love to be considered in the drawing, a fun new book to soak in, great for the chilly days ahead!
You are heavenly! I always love hearing from you Robyn. It is a fun new book – always delightful to focus on the children. xo
Your recipes and descriptions always have me heading for the kitchen to try out the latest creation. My kitchen is my happy place and would love to be considered for a new cookbook offering healing dishes.
Thank you Erika. Your kitchen must be happy whenever you are there. You bring such intentional love to al you do.
Erika, You are a winner! I will email you for details. Congratulations. xo
This looks amazing, I can’t wait to give it a go! I am transitioning back into vegetarian eating after having a play around with what serves my body best! Looking for all the Inspo I can get. Love this!
I hope you find what your body loves best so that your body can love you best! Thank you.
That looks like a perfect breakfast dish, thank you for sharing and I would love to be in the drawing for the book!
You are in! Thank you.
I will try this yummy recipe, thank you dear Laura.
I would also like to enter the drawing.
Wonderful Marjorie. Lots of love, xo
Oh my goodness…this recipe looks like a living prayer. Doable, but requiring intention and dedication. My husband loves his pancakes (like mom mom used to make!) but they’re too heavy for me to enjoy. I’m afraid there’ll be no going back once we try these. The veggies look wonderful too. I work as a tutor and family yoga teacher-would love to be entered into the book drawing…thanks and love, dear Laura.
Yes these might be a great solution, Karen. They are really wonderful. Sounds like the book would be great for your students. Thanks for being such an inspiration for many!
This sounds so delicious 😍😍
This looks delicious! Please enter me in the drawing. I’d love some ideas and recipes to make for my son 🌺
😍😍😍
This looks so amazing!
Thank you Caroline. We have it every morning for breakfast here in Kerala, and still look forward to it each day!