Quick Uttapam

Ingredients:

for the Uttapam

1 cup sooji (semolina/rawa)

1 cup dahi (curd)

1/4 cup water

oil to make the uttapam

salt to taste

for the Topping

1 big sized onion

6 green chillies

coriander to garnish

Method:

• Mix the sooji and dahi. Mix it well to form a thick batter and keep the batter to rest for about 1/2 hour.
• heat the tawa on a medium heat. sprinkle 1/2 tsp of oil on the tawa ,within 15 seconds wipe it with a tissue paper.
• for making the uttapam, mix the batter and add water and salt. Give the batter a good stir.
• spread the batter on the tawa. Make two uttapams at a time of 6 inch diameter each.
• sprinkle onion, green chilli and coriander on the Uttapam. Put 1/2 tsp of oil on the sides of the uttapam and top of the uttapam. After the uttapam is done on one side flip on to the other side.
• turn the uttapam once and for all and turn the flame to high for a min and remove the uttapam off the flame.
• serve with sambar, chutney or even raita!!!

Tips:

• tomato or any other vegetable of your choice could also be added for the topping.
• if you like the onions to be caramelised then cook the topping for a slightly longer time. Avoid using coriander in this case.
• you could spread 1/2 tsp of ghee instead of oil while the uttapam is cooking or after cooking it to give it rich flavour.
• you could add 1/2 tsp of soda-bi- carb to the batter just before spreading the uttapam. However, i feel the result of the method I have given above is also good.
• the batter mixture should be of thick coating consistency, if required you could add more water to get the right consistency.
• if the curd is sour it gives a good fermented taste to the uttapam. However, fresh curd could also be used.
• non-stick tawa gives good result.
• ensure that the tawa is hot enough before spreading the batter. the tawa should be at a medium heat.
• sprinkle some water on the tawa to check the temperature of the tawa. if the tawa is too hot sprinkle more water to bring down the temperature of the tawa.
• uttapam must be cooked on low to medium low flame.
• you could make one big uttapam. However, I make two at a time of 6 inch each or 4 uttapams of 4 inch each (mini uttapam) on the dosa tawa. Mini uttapam are good for evening snacks for kids.
• the above recipe makes 6 uttapams of 6 inch diameter.
• while making the second batch of uttapam, just pour a drop of oil on the tawa and wipe it with a tissue paper. Alternatively, you could wipe the tawa with a cloth dipped in salt water.
• I feel that if the sooji Uttapam has good topping it could also be served with raita. i have served with garlic raita (will post the recipe soon!).
• these uttapam could also be served with tomato ketchup or even raita!!!