Guntha Ponganalu, as its called in Telugu is known as the Appey or Vela paniyaram in Malayalam and Tamil. This is a very delicious and tasty way of completing the left out Idly or Dosa batter. Amma has an iron skillet to make and it used to be a big process to get the ponganalu properly out of them. Most of the time, it never used to come out. And it was so frustrating. Finally she used to make dosa out of the batter and we used to convince ourselves that it was as good as well to eat! Then came the age of non-stick cookware, where everything is so easy to make. She got all those things for me, which for her were so tough. She got the appam pan, ponganalu pan, all so sleek and nice. Everything comes out well in these. The sight of a well made appay is a sight to behold. It looks so beautiful and pretty. It almost breaks my heart to break it and dig in!
Since we all used to love the Ponganalu, Amma used to make this as weekend breakfast item. But as I said it used to be a tough job to get the stuff out. Then she found that, there is a recipe for this on its own. You don't really have to use the left over stuff to make these. So when she prepared the batter just for these, it used to come out so well. I still remember the aroma coming out of the kitchen, the tantasiling smell of the oil roasting the extra batter flowing out of the holes and making it so crispy and tasty. Her skillet used to be a thick one made of iron and it used to be tough handling it. Mine is very simple to use and easy in getting yummy ponganalu super fast!
Guntha Ponganalu still in skillet, some turned and golden, some still not golden
The other time I remember eating this, w as in a restaurant. I normally don't order anything different from my usual stuffs. But my colleague had ordered this. As usual, all the orders took its own sweet time in making its appearance, by which time, all of us were really hungry. We saw a waiter walking towards us carrying some white beauties in a plate. We were in a fix to know if it was meant for us or not. We decided if it wasn't for us, we would ask what it is and order. When this actually came to our table, I remember the looks each one had. Nothing looked more beautiful than that. Next two seconds, I couldn't find anything left. The person who ordered didn't get more than a bite. We all looked sheepishly at each other and decided to order another plate. That was when I came to know it was called Kuli Paniyarams or Vella paniyaram. I didn't even know that it was available in restaurants. Whatever name it may be called, it tasted yum!
I made it this Saturday, but by then my daughter had left to school. When she saw the pictures that I was uploading, she was jumping all excited telling me, that she just loves it and wanted some immediately. I felt so bad that I didn't make for her. So its going to be Guntha Ponganalu again this weekend. I didn't make for her as it was left over batter all seasoned. Then I remembered that Amma had a recipe for the fresh batter. I asked Athamma if Amma has told her this recipe, she said no. So had to ask Amma, who infact gave me two proportions. One she has already tried and tested and another that she came upon in recent times. She asked me to try out the new one, so will be preparing a fresh batter for kutty.
For the batter:
Amma's tried and tested
Raw Rice - 1 cup,
Urad dal - 1/4 cup,
A pinch of Soda before using the batter
Soaking fermentation time is as usual as Dosa batter
New find!
Raw Rice - 1 cup
Boiled Rice- 1 cup
Urad dal - 50 gms
1 hr soaking time After grinding 5-6 hrs fermentation
For seasoning:
Onions - 1 medium
Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
Bengal Gram - 1 tbsp
Green chillies - 2 long
Cashew nuts - as required
Peanuts - as required
Ginger - 1"
Curry leaves few
Pepper corns - 10 (optional)
Turmeric a pinch
Oil - 1 tsp
Method to prepare
Once the batter is ready, heat a kadai with oil. First add mustard, once it sputters add onions and rest of the ingredients and fry till onions are light brown in colour.
Take the required amount of batter and add the seasoning to the batter.
Heat the skillet and pour one spoonful of batter to the holes. You can add oil to the top if required. Cover with lid and simmer it for 5 mins. Once its cooked, turn it around using a spoon or knife.
Serve it hot with ground nut chutney or coconut chutney.
I always liked coconut chutney but since hubby dear never likes it, we make groundnut chutney. It tastes great with both, but with podi it tastes even better!
RAKS KITCHEN says
Those paniyaarams are so beautiful indeed!!!
Siri says
I love Guntha Pongalu Sri.. But, I don't have that plates here in US.. Oh I miss them so much..I am sure kutty will love them..Hugs to her..:)
-Siri
kamala says
paniyaram looks very yummy.want to have that one!!!
kamala
Seema says
These r yummy looking.. we call them Appe! with cutney & sambhar its a perfect go for Breakfast.. Your kid will enjoy this one!
Namratha says
Yay, I love gunthpanganalu....I love it when its slightly sour 🙂 I make these with set dosa batter...yours look so yummmy Sri!
easycrafts says
They look very crispy
Asha says
I love them. I had to order the pan online, costs a lot too. Looks great Sri, got to make the batter your way!:)
Kamini says
I just love these paniyarams - and have the same problem with the entire first batch sticking to the pan! I think I should just go ahead and add more oil, which will solve the problem. Roughly how much is 50 grams of urad dal? About quarter cup?
Thanks!
Kamini
Padmaja says
Valli those looks delicious!! i really want to have now!! I think its time to buy that skillet!!one more reason to shop around!
remya says
wow!!! super delicious paniyaarams....i'm drooling over ur paniyaram.....its been a long time since i had this....hmmm...
Raaga says
I agree... the sight of appeys is so inviting... yours look beautiful
Laavanya says
The paniyarams look lovely Srivalli. I love these too and my measurements are the same as your new find... the boiled rice
Laavanya says
sorry i accidentally sent my comment before completing it.. the boiled rice makes them softer I think.
Tee says
the Paniyaarams look delicious! Perfect for the weekend 🙂
Kalva says
ooo. yummooo they are so good.. Havent had it for long time
Ramya says
looking delicious. and mouthwatering.
lakshmi says
paniyarams look so awesome. 🙂
Lakshmi@TOM says
Hi Sri..I make them using the dosa batter and they taste yumm. This reminds me that I have dosa batter sitting in my fridge and I need not worry for my dinner prep. Thanks to u!
Suganya says
Do you make dosa batter with raw rice?
Latha Narasimhan says
Oh I just love this with coconut chutney! Looking so yum! 🙂
Latha Narasimhan says
BTW to avoid the first batch from sticking I grease it with2 teaspoons oil before heating the appa khuzhi!
Srivalli says
Rajeswari, thanks!
Siri, oh then its time you got that !
easycrafts, thank you, yes they were
Asha, yeah looking fwd to you trying it out.
Kamini, great to know ours were not the only ones!..:D...yeah it will be app a quarter of a cup
Raaga thanks...
kamala, you are most welcome!
Seema, yeah they go very well with those
Namratha, thank you!
Laavanya, great to know..so they work out well..good
Tee, yeah enjoyable to have for relaxed weekend breakfast
Padmaja, hahha..nice reason you find
Kalva, Ramya, remya, lakshmithank you...
Suganya, yes we add equal portion of raw rice with boiled rice with half of urud dal...
Lakshmi@TOM, thats great to know..enjoy
Lathamma, thank you, sure will try next time!
VegeYum @ A Life (Time) of Cookin says
Oh, this looks great!
Cynthia says
They look good to me too.