Kuzhi Paniyaaram

I am using Kuzhi Paniyaara kal or chatti extensively for making Potato or colacasia(seppan kizhangu) fry. I also use it for shallow frying the appams(not the chettinad aappam). It has been long since I made the paniyaaram. So here it goes...

I made Kuzhi paniyaaram with Onion sambar and tomato chutney.

Par boiled rice(puzhungal arisi) 1 cup

normal rice- I dont know how to call it! (pacharisi) 1 cup

Urad dhall - 1/2 cup

Cooking soda - a Pinch

Curd - 1/4 cup

Salt as required

Chillies as required

Onion 1 big finely chopped

Carrot - 1 grated

Ginger- 1 inch piece finely chopped

Coconut pieces - 1 cup finely chopped

Oil for shallow frying the paniyaarams

Soak the rice for 2 hours and dhall for an hour. Grind them along with chilles, consistency same as idly batter. Let it ferment for a night. I ground the batter in the morning and used them for the dinner. Just while making the paniyaarams add the curd, chopped onions, ginger, carrot, coconut pieces and the pinch of cooking soda. Mix well. Heat the paniyaara chatti, pour just 2 drops of oil, yes, you heard it right. This is more than enough if you are using the non stick version of the kadai.

Pour the batter only till half of the kuzhi or pit. Wait till small pores appear on the surface of the batter. Use the spatula or spoon to turn the paniyaaram and let it get cooked on the other side also. Spongy Paniyaaram is ready!

There is a variation to this traditional paniyaaram. Grind some coriander and mint leaves along with chillies and add to one part of the above said batter. This will give you beautiful green paniyaarams. Make a pulp of a tomato, cook it for some 2 minutes along with some garam masala, chilly powder, turmeric and ginger garlic paste. Add it to the batter. This will give you orange paniyaarams. I have tried these, trust me they will look lovely and taste great!