17 March 2012

Vella Kinnathappam / Steamed Rice Cake

One post that I am really proud of is the Kinnathappam in an Uruli (Jaggery based). The effort and time that went into making it was compensated by the mouthwatering delicacy which tastes so good when made at home. While on the look out for healthy snacks, I came across this recipe for Vella Kinnathappam/ White Kinnathappam (sugar based) in my favourite book of cut outs from newspapers and magazines which my Amma made for me. I am so glad I tried it. It came out so good.



Ingredients
Makes 3 kinnathappams


Ponni Ari / Sona Masoori rice - 1/2 kg
Thick coconut milk - 3 cups
Water - 4 cups
Sugar - 1/2 kg
Salt - a pinch
Ghee - 4 tbsp
Kismis - 25 g
Cashew - 25 g (broken into pieces)
Cardomom - 10 pods



Method
Wash and soak rice for 3 hours.
Grind the rice into very fine paste in a grinder adding the 4 cups of water slowly.*see note 1
In a dry mixer add 1 tbsp sugar with the cardomom and powder it. Remove husk.
In the same mixer add the coconut and pulse it slightly. Add slight warm water to extract coconut milk.*see note 2
In a bowl mix the rice batter with coconut milk, sugar and cardamom powder.
Strain it using a thin muslin cloth.*see notes 3  The batter will be watery.
Heat water in a steamer/ cooker/ Idly maker adding enough water to last for 30 - 40 minutes. *see note 4
Pour the batter into a round plate with sides or a cake pan. Fill only about 1 1/2 to 2 inch height.*see notes 5
Cover the plate or pan with foil. 
When the water starts to boil in the steamer carefully place the pan in it. And cover the steamer.
Steam for 30 - 40 minutes on high flame or till a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean.
Remove from steamer and let cool.
Invert it on to a plate and serve.



Cooking Tips/ Notes:

  1. It is better to grind in a grinder rather than a mixer. The batter has to be really fine.
  2. I had to add 3 cups water to extract coconut milk. It may vary depending on the coconut used. So add 2 cups first then check the quantity and only if required add the third cup of water or as much as required.
  3. Wet the muslin cloth slightly and then tie it tight on a steel vessel. Slightly press the center of the cloth to make a dip.Then pour the batter to strain. Stir with a spoon so that the batter passes through the cloth.The actual recipe says the batter has to be strained thrice but I did it just once. If you feel that there are particles yet to be strained then do so twice or thrice.
  4. If you are using a cooker then place a ring at the bottom and then place the pan on top of it. Close the cooker but do not place weight on it. Let the steam pass through the nozzle. Make sure you add enough water to last for 40 minutes. Cook on medium flame.
  5. It is better to add only 1 1/2 to 2 inch batter because if you add more it will take a long time to cook. The best option is a steel plate with sides. Fill batter an inch below the top brim so that you can easily lift it using a pakkad/ vessel lifter. 
  6. This dessert is of medium sweetness just perfect for me but for people who like it very sweet can add more sugar.
  7. This batter makes 3 kinnathappams. 

The above picture shows the kinnathappam made in a 'Kinnam' the brass vessel. Hope you all enjoyed this recipe. Keep coming back for more..    :)


Sending this to the Kerala Kitchen event hosted by Prathiba of Cook Ezee

34 comments:

  1. Beautiful pics Rinks!! Kinnathappam looks melt in the mouth! Good to see your recipes once again :)

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    1. Thanks Shir for that quick reply. Yeah I am happy to be back.

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  2. This is an interesting dish.. never eaten it.

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  3. This looks so yummy and healthy. Very nice recipe and lovely photography :)

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  4. Very Nice Pictures Rinku, this Kerala Dish is new to me and looks very tasty...

    -Mythreyi
    Yum! Yum! Yum!

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  5. Its been a long time since i had this... Will try soon

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  6. cake looking really wonderful.iam this tastes awesoem...perfectly done.book marking.....
    Maha

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  7. such a awesome recipe..This will be perfect as a desert....i should try this soon..

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  8. Kinnathappam looks perfect...awesome desert

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  9. wow dear love the appam...love the texture

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  10. looks very soft & yummy .......... will try it for sure .......

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  11. Super tempting appam ! looks so soft and yummy.

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  12. Adipoli aayithundu,my favorite snack,guilt free and delicious.
    Njan try cheyuthapol problems undayi,now I get it..it might be the straining process..thanks for the tips Rinku:)

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  13. First time here. The dish looks delicious.

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  14. Delicious cake.
    Do visit my new blog
    www.foodydelight.com

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  15. Wowww... Very delicious and traditional recipe.. looks super perfect.. beautiful pictures as usual :)
    Indian Cuisine

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  16. very yummy kinnathappam dear.....superb....

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  17. I just love the look of this!Absolutely delicious and the texture looks so soft and spongy.Enough said, its making my mouth water :)

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  18. Wow.. so exquisite.. would love to grab the piece....
    Serve It - Stir Fried

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  19. delicious done and presented looks wonderful

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  20. Kinnathappam looks so yumm Rinku, droolig over the pics. Love them and love the jaggery kinnathappam even more :-)
    Thanks for sending this to KK Event, I'm really glad I reached ur beautiful blog. Following u, hope to see u around.

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  21. haven't had kinnathappam.. but this one leaves me drooling... have to make one soon..
    Noel collections

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  22. perfect and delicious appam...nice click!

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  23. This is my most most favourite pudding, you have tempted me a lot with this yummy pictures. Probably I'll make some today :)

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  24. Ho what a beautiful presentation

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  25. Wow this is new to me but its so delicious.

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  26. i havent had this before, but gosh it looks too yum to pass

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  27. wow... pics look stunning... never heard of this before... will surely try this... thanks for sharing..

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  28. Hi rinku, i am a great fan of ur blog. tried ur butter cake and it was delicious, though i forgot to add the milk :)
    Now i want to try this.Can u plz tell me the size of the cups u use in ur cooking. I want it to be perfect just like urs. thanks
    anitha

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  29. This is so tempting and delicious.. I am drooling here. Glad to follow you.

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  30. This looks so good! I have never had this before. I have learned so much about Kerala cuisine from your blog!

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Thank you for visiting my blog and taking time to appreciate my work. Hope you have found the recipes you have been looking for. In case you face any difficulty writing comments or you would like to know any details about the recipes feel free to write to me at rinkuskitchentreats@gmail.com. I would be delighted to hear from you.
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Rinku