Neyappam (Crispy and Sweet Snack)

** Kid's favorite ** Classic Tea time snack** Childhood favorite **Reduced gluten and Vegan **

* Ingredients: 

• Raw rice/ Pachari/ Idli rice- 2 cups
• Ghee- 1 tbsp.
• Flour/ Maida- 2 tbsp.
• Jaggery/ Sharkara- As per taste/ 1/4 cup
• Cumin (Jeerakam) powder- 1/2 tsp.
• Black sesame seed/ Ellu- 1/2 tsp.
• Baking soda- 2 pinches
• Ripe small banana- 1
• Sliced coconut bits- 1/4 cup
• Shredded/ grated coconut- 1/4 cup
• Ginger powder- 1/4 tsp.
• Cardamom/ Ellakha/ Elaichi powder- 1/4 tsp.
• Cashew nuts (powdered)- 1/4 tsp.
• Salt- 1/4 tsp.
• Oil- For frying
• Sugar- Optional (As per taste)

* Cooking Time: 10-15 minutes actual cooking time 

* Makes: 12-14 neyyappams

* Recipe:

Step 1: Soak the raw rice/ pachari/ idli rice for 4 hours and strain out the water and grind to a lightly coarse powder. Dry roast this flour for 5-10 minutes. (Or use 1.5 cups of store bought rice flour if you do not have raw rice)

Step 2: Dry roast the coconut slices. Also melt the jaggery (with 3 tbsps. water) till it forms a thick paste.  

* Tip: For the jaggery paste, I microwaved the jaggery with water for 3 minutes (at 1 minute intervals), mixing with a greased spoon in between intervals)

* I added half of one big Chiquita banana, since I did not have any baby bananas. Do not add more than half of a big banana/ 1 small banana, since it will absorb excess oil while frying.

Step 2: Mix all the wet and dry ingredients and let it rest for about 3-4 hours.

Step 3: In a deep pan, heat up some oil and drop a small pinch to test the oil temperature (it should immediately rise to the surface if the oil is hot enough to start cooking). Then lower the heat to a medium-low.

Pour a small portion (about 1/2 ladle) of the batter into the oil, fry both sides to a rich brown color. 

Remove from oil into a tissue lined sieve using a slotted spoon to drain the excess oil. 

* BONUS TIP:  Serve warm or cold with a warm cup of tea and a banana. Yummy childhood memories!!

Enjoy!!☺❤👍👌

* Abbreviations:

 * tsp.- Teaspoon    ** tbsp.- Tablespoon     opt.- Optional