South Indian shops generally sell the idiappam press (sevanazhi,or sevian machine) which is needed for making idiappam.However,you can make do with a potato ricer.
500gms sifted rice flour (sift through a fine-meshed sieve and use only the finest flour)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 medium-sized,fresh coconut,grated
Method of Preparation
Mix rice flour with salt and 1 1/2 cups hot water,and knead to make a dough.Fill an idiappam press with dough and press it out onto a lightly oiled idli mould.
While pressing out the dough,move the press using a circular motion so that the strands fall in a circular pattern.
As the dough emerges from the mould sprinkle a spoonful of coconut over it.
Steam in a pressure cooker for 10 minutes without using the weight or pressure lock.
Serve with mutton,chicken or vegetable stew;fish or prawn moily;sweetened milk or coconut milk.
Variation:To make sweetened idiappam mix 3 tsp sugar to the grated coconut before sprinkling it on the dough.
