Idiyappam (String Hoppers)

Idiyappam, also known as string hoppers or sevai, is a steamed rice noodle dish from Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It is also a popular dish in Sri Lanka. Idiyappam can be be turned into a variety of sweet and savory dishes. My favorite way to eat this dish is to dunk it in sweet coconut milk. I made lemon and coconut flavored idiyappam last weekend. Idiyappam is made from rice flour dough squeezed out in the shape of noodles and steamed. 

Ingredients:

1 Cup rice flour, roasted

1 1/4 Cup water (add more if needed)

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon oil

sevai nazhi or noodle maker

Method:

1. Heat water in a large pot. Add salt and oil to it. Bring it to a boil. Reduce heat. Add roasted flour and stir constantly to form a dough, without lumps. Turn the stove off. Cover with a lid. Leave for 10 minutes.

2. Knead  the dough to a smooth dough. Keep it covered with a damp towel.

3. Fill a pressure cooker or idly steamer with 1 1/2 cups of water. Grease idly plates with little oil.

4. Open the noodle maker. Fit it with noodle disc, the one with tiny holes. Wet your hand and take a portion of rice flour dough. Shape it into a log and insert it into the noodle maker.

5. Screw the noodle maker with its top.

         

6. Squeeze noodle onto the greased idly plate, one on each mold. Fill all the idly plates.

       

7. Place the idly stand in the steamer. Steam for 5-7 minutes. Turn the stove off. Let it stand for couple minutes.

8. Carefully turn idiyappam out into a large bowl. Repeat process with remaining dough.

      

9. Serve idiyappam with sweetened coconut milk or with kurma. I made Lemon sevai and coconut sevai out of it this time.