Uttapam is a South Indian pancake made from fermented rice and urad dal batter. It's a versatile dish that can be customized with various toppings. A step-by-step guide on how to make Uttapam:
Ingredients:
For Batter:
- 1 cup rice
- 1/4 cup urad dal (split black gram)
- 1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
- Salt to taste
- Water (for soaking and grinding)
For Topping:
- Finely chopped onions
- Finely chopped tomatoes
- Finely chopped green chilies
- Chopped coriander leaves
- Grated carrots (optional)
- Oil or ghee for cooking
Instructions:
1. Soak Rice and Dal:
- Wash the rice, urad dal, and fenugreek seeds. Soak them in water for about 4-6 hours.
2. Grind Batter:
- Drain the soaked rice, dal, and fenugreek seeds. Grind them to a smooth batter using a wet grinder or blender. Add water gradually as needed. The consistency should be similar to pancake batter.
3. Fermentation:
- Transfer the batter to a large bowl, add salt, and mix well. Allow it to ferment overnight or for 8-10 hours. The batter should double in volume.
4. Preheat Tawa:
- Heat a griddle or non-stick tawa over medium heat. Grease it lightly with oil.
5. Pour Batter:
- Take a ladle of batter and pour it onto the center of the tawa. Use the back of the ladle to spread the batter in a circular motion, forming a thick pancake.
6. Add Toppings:
- Quickly sprinkle the finely chopped onions, tomatoes, green chilies, coriander leaves, and grated carrots on top of the uttapam.
7. Drizzle Oil:
- Drizzle a little oil or ghee around the edges of the uttapam and in the center.
8. Cook:
- Cover the uttapam with a lid and cook on low to medium heat until the edges turn golden brown and the bottom is cooked.
9. Flip and Cook:
- Flip the uttapam using a spatula and cook the other side until it's cooked through and golden brown.
10. Repeat:
- Repeat the process with the remaining batter.
11. Serve Hot:
- Serve the uttapam hot with coconut chutney, tomato chutney, or sambar.
Uttapam is a delicious and wholesome breakfast or brunch option. Its unique taste and the variety of toppings make it a favorite among both kids and adults.