Ethappazham Appam/Steamed Plantain Cake

A very simple, steamed breakfast/snack(naalu mani palahaaram) which makes me nostalgic.  During my schooldays, Mom would always try to keep my breakfast simple and easy to eat, without any 'accompaniments', which makes it easy for her to shove into my mouth. This was my breakfast often. Gosh  :(  Those days of getting pampered are long gone..sniff...sniff... If a combo like dosa-chutney or appam-stew  which needs eloborate eating time were offered on a school day, I would duely skip making an excuse of not being hungry.  How I repented later when I had to confront the 'delicacies' of the hostel mess, which transformed me from a picky eater to an 'I eat everything homemade' person for good. And now I can hardly wait to shocktreat my li'l picky one with a hostel menu!!! Cruel pleasures of a mom...Now coming to the Appam...

It is simple and mellow, with coconut, rice flour and plantain/banana(ethappazham), which kids would love.

You will need...

Rice flour - 1 cup

Grated/Decicated coconut - 1/2 cup

Cardamom/Elaichi - 3-4

Sugar - to taste

Salt  - to taste(very less)

Banana/Ethappazham - 2

Cut banana lengthwise into four and then chop into pieces breadthwise.  Grind coconut and cardamom with some lukewarm water into a smooth paste. In a mixing bowl, mix rice flour, sugar, salt and coconut mixture to form an idlylike(meduim consistancy) batter.  Add banana pieces into it and mix well.  Spoon into greased shallow trays and steamcook.  Alternatively you can use idly mould. Good when served hot or cold. 

Note:

Let  the appams cool down a little before you unmould it to prevent it from breaking.