Paalappam

Ingredients

    Rice Flour -  2 cups
    Rapid Rise Highly Active Yeast – 1 tsp
    Sugar – 3 tbsp
    Rava (Semolina) – 2 tbsp
    Thick Coconut Milk – 1/2 to 1 Cup (I use Canned Coconut Milk)
    Water – As needed
    Salt – to taste

   Preparation Method for Batter

    For making Rava Kurukku (Semolina Paste) which is a thick paste, take 2 cups of water in a saucepan and add 2 tbsp of rava (semolina). Bring it to a boil stirring continuously. Reduce the heat to low and continue stirring. When the mixture changes to a thick paste, remove it from heat and allow it to cool.

    If you are in a hurry and do not want to keep the batter overnight for fermenting, then you can use any Rapid Rise Yeast. I use Fleischman Rapid Rise Yeast for quicker fermentation.

    In a big bowl, combine 2 cups of Rice Flour, 3 tbsp Sugar, cooled Rava Kurukku (Semolina Paste), 1 tsp Rapid Rise Yeast along with 1/2 cup Coconut Milk and a pinch of salt. Add around 1/2 to 1 cup water or more and whisk everything to form a smooth and thick batter. The batter
    should be thick because after fermentation it will rise and become thinner in consistency.
   
    Leave the batter in a warm place for around 3-4 hours and allow it to ferment.

   

    For making Palappams in a Palappam Chatti

    For making Palappam with the same batter, just before preparing palappam, add 1-2 tbsp of sugar and 1/4 to 1/2 cup of coconut milk to the batter and mix well. The batter should be loose in consistency similar to that of Dosa batter.

    Pour a ladle full of batter into a Palappa Chatti (deep round pan used for Palappams) and swirl the pan lightly, spreading the batter to the sides of the pan.

    Cover with lid and allow it to cook for around 3 minutes on medium heat. When the center of appam is done and the edges start detaching, remove the palappam carefully from the pan. Do not flip palappams.

    If you like the edges or laces to be golden brown, add more sugar to the batter.

Christmas celebrated in Kottayam

Christmas was observed in the Kottayam district of  Kerala with religious fervour and joyful celebrations.
Special masses were held in every church amid huge turnouts of devotees thronging the surroundings in many places including the C.S.I. Holy Trinity Cathedral, Christ the King Cathedral, Lourde Forane Church, Mar Elia Cathedral, St. George Orthodox Church, Puthuppally; and St. Mary's Cathedral, Manarcad.
People representing all sections of society actively participated in celebrating the occasion.
In a statement, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Metropolitan and Catholicos of the East Baselius Mar Thoma Paulose II urged the public to refrain from celebrating the occasion in a lavish manner.
He also stressed on the importance of co-existing with one another in harmony.
Delivering his address at the Christmas eve celebrations at the St. Thomas Orthodox Church in Kangazha (Changanassery taluk) on Friday night, Mar Thoma Syrian Church Senior Metropolitan Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostom pointed out that the Christmas is a celebration of peace and hard work.
The Almighty resides in the minds of those who selflessly support the needy and deprived, he said.
Dr. Thomas Mar Themotheos, Metropolitan of Kottayam diocese, Jacobite Syrian Christian Church, in his Christmas message, called for peace and harmony all over the world.
He also warned against the dangers of consuming alcohol, which is wrongly being perceived as a norm during such celebrations.