For those with a sweet tooth, desserts can make them go weak in the knees. And in India, it isn't just about gooey chocolate cakes or vanilla frostings, it is much diverse and beyond the quintessential. There are not many cuisines in the world where even rice and lentils are used to make drool-worthy sweets and are combined with everything from chocolate to coconut so seamlessly. But one can find such gems in the regional Indian cuisines!
Southern India has many such decadent treats that use ingredients such as rice, lentils and coconut to create a range of hearty desserts that will leave you drooling. Kalathappam is one such sweet treat from the North Malabar region including Kerala that has impressed many. A rice cake cooked in a pressure cooker, Kalathappam is prepared with rice, jaggery and fried seasonings that garnished over it. It is a traditional Malabar dish that is enjoyed as a sweet evening tea-time snack or in breakfast. It requires no fancy equipment or ingredients, just rice or rice flour, jaggery and coconut.
The unique bit about this snack from Kerala is that this would perhaps be the first time you would find a seasoning of shallots or onions on a cake! Yes, you read that right. The recipe is fairly easy and fuss-free but combines very unique ingredients together to make a mouth-watering dish. Here is a simple recipe of Kalathappam that you can try at home.
(Also Read: Readers' Choice: 21 Indian Desserts That Take You Back To Childhood)
Ingredients:
- Raw rice- 1 cup
- Cooked rice- 1/2 cup
- Jaggery - 200 g
- Shallots/Onions (sliced)- 4
- Water- as required
- Coconut (sliced)- 1/2 cup
- Cardamom seeds- 1 tsp
- A pinch of salt
- A pinch of baking soda
- Ghee- 2 tbsp
Method:
1. Wash and soak the raw rice for about 2 hours.
2. Drain and blend it with cooked rice, cardamom seeds and jaggery with water for a smooth paste.
3. When the batter is of pouring consistency, add salt and baking soda. Mix well.
4. Now heat the pressure cooker, add ghee and saute onion/shallot and coconut slices together till golden brown.
5. Pour the rice batter in pressure cooker and cover with lid.
6. Let it cook for about 20 minutes.
7. Check the cake by inserting a skewer after 20 minutes. If it comes out clean then the cake is done. If not, let it cook for another 5-6 minutes.
8. When done, let it cool for another 10 minutes before serving.
Try this unique and delicious south Indian dessert at home and share your experience in the comments section below.