Orappam/ Traditional snack of Kerala

Orappam is a traditional snack of Kerala which is made on festive occasions . It is made like a halwa and then lightly baked to make it crusty and crunchy on the exterior. Inside it has a fudge like texture. It is made with rice flour and coconut milk, sugar/jaggery and a taste which will surely make you nostalgic. Since most home did not have ovens in earlier days it was baked by closing lid tightly and  burning coconut shells and placing it on top and bottom. I tried an easy version here by baking in the oven.

Orappam made with jaggery

Ingredients

Rice flour- 2 cups

Sugar- 3/4 cup

Egg- 2

Coconut Milk- 1 1/2 cup

Cashew nuts crushed- 1/3 cup

Cardamon powder- 1/3 tsp

Nut meg powder - a pinch

Ghee- 3 tsp

Coconut oil 1 tsp ( optional) 

Beat egg until light and fluffy and mix in sugar, rice flour and combine into a batter just like for a cake. I have used the rose rice powder. You can also substitute sugar with jaggery. Melt jaggery with half cup of water and strain and add this to rice flour. Take only one and one half cup of coconut milk.

Bring coconut milk, crushed cashew nuts and half cup of water  to a boil. Now slowly combine in the rice mixture and stirring continuously till it is fully blended. Cook in medium heat and let it cook for about ten minutes . Add ghee, cardamon powder and stir till the mixture becomes a thick lump and starts leaving the sides of the pan, just like halwa.Grease baking pan and spread this mixture evenly in the pan with the help of a spatula. Bake in 350 degree f for about 20 minutes or till it the top has slightly browned up. Let it cool completely and cut into desired shapes.

Sending this to Umm Mymoonah's wonderful event

Hope you will all enjoy.