Mor Appam: A lite Breakfast Snack with a Buttermilk twist

Appam, also known as hoppers, is a popular breakfast item from South India. 

Mor appam is a type of appam that is made by adding buttermilk or yogurt to the fermented rice batter. The word “Mor”” in mor appam means buttermilk in Tamil. 

If you belong to a tamil household, then waking up to the smell of freshly made Mor Appam – soft, fluffy pancakes that are tangy, savory, and oh-so-delicious. As you take the first bite, you can feel the softness of the pancake, and the tangy flavor of the buttermilk or yogurt immediately hits your taste buds, making your mouth water. The slight sweetness from the coconut and the savory notes from the onions and chilies that are mixed into the batter create a flavor explosion in your mouth. The crispy edges of the pancake, which perfectly balance the soft and fluffy texture. The aroma of the fermented rice and coconut blends with the tangy and savory flavors to create an irresistible dish that you can’t get enough of. 

It is a popular breakfast item in the southern states of India, especially in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It is usually served with coconut chutney or sambar, which enhances its flavor and texture. 

What makes it so popular is not just the taste but the health benefits it offers like being a  source of good carbohydrates, energy and proteins. It is even rich in probiotics and low in sugar and since it is a fermented food, it helps in maintaining gut health as well. 

So, in order to make this nutrient-packed and delicious food, we need to have: 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of rice
• 1/2 cup of grated coconut
• 2 cups of buttermilk
• 1 tsp of salt
• 1/2 tsp of baking soda
• Oil for greasing the appam pan

Instructions:

1. Rinse the rice thoroughly and soak it in water for about 6-8 hours or overnight.
2. Drain the water and grind the rice along with grated coconut to a smooth batter consistency.
3. Transfer the batter to a large mixing bowl and add the buttermilk, salt, and baking soda. Mix well to combine all the ingredients.
4. Cover the bowl and let the batter ferment for about 8-10 hours or overnight.
5. After fermentation, the batter will have a slightly sour taste and a fluffy texture.
6. Heat the appam pan over medium heat and brush it with oil.
7. Pour a ladleful of the fermented batter onto the center of the pan and swirl it around to spread the batter evenly.
8. Cover the pan with a lid and let the appam cook for about 2-3 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown and crispy.
9. Once cooked, remove the appam from the pan using a spatula and transfer it to a plate.
10. Repeat the same process with the remaining batter until all the appams are cooked.

Your delicious and tangy Mor Appam is ready to be served hot with coconut chutney or any of your favorite sides and get indulged in tasting this great tamil delicacy.