Check out the Traditional Karthigai Deepam Menu here

There are few festive dishes which we simply cant do without during those special days. If we don’t make them, then it simply does not bring about the mood. Gone were the days when a whole cartload of sweets were prepared by our ancestors and devoured countless by young and old alike without a second thought to health issues. unfortunately its simply not so now. “Dieting” is the fashion which has managed to sustain for a long time now in the recent years and by the looks of it, its not going to be become oblivion soon. Obesity, Cholesterol, BP,Diabetes are common words now. So with such a scenario, making sweets on an elaborate scale has long disappeared. So what can we do about it? Make low calorie sweets of course! Something which we wont end up feeling too guilty eating.

I have been using the Kuzhi Paniyaram Pan for various reasons, mostly for reasons other than making paniyarams! If you dont have those, its time to buy it – A similar is also available in the US under the name of Pancake Puff Pan.

These pans are useful to make low calorie version of quite a handful of goodies, like kababs, koftas, bonda’s etc, at least I think so since I make these using the same. Next time you think twice about having those meat balls – dont worry, whisk out these and enjoy some. Few days back, my mom told me that I can make Appams also in it, and I was like ‘God! Why dint I think of it before?’ So here it is – my version of Low calorie Appams. There is a traditional use of Bananas in the recipe, but I have abstained from using it, since I find that it absorbs lots of oil that way. Skipping the banana does no harm to the recipe as such which is anyways the recipe which my mother taught me.

Method

1.Add the jaggery to approx 1/4 of water. If you have trouble breaking down the jaggery, placing them in the water for few minutes will help you, break it down easily. Using hands or back of a spoon, make sure that there are no lumps.

2.Sift the flours together, add the cardamom powder and mix well.

3. Now slowly using a strainer, strain the jaggery liquid in to the flour mixture.

4.Stir well, add some more liquid if needed to make a thick batter. Make sure the batter is lump free.

5.Heat the Paniyaram Pan/Puff Pan with 1-2 tsp of vegetable oil.

Edited: It uses a total of 1-2 tsp of oil. In each section about 1/4 tsp of oil should do. Try one with this measurement and adjust accordingly to your preferances.

6.Once the oil is hot, drop spoonful of the batter in the pan.

7.Once browned in the bottom turn the other side. Repeat the same. Serve immediately to enjoy a guilty free low calorie and festive Karthigai Appam.

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