Mixed Dal Appe-South Indian Style

Made with four different types of dals/lentils, this is a very healthy,high protein appetizer that’s made in just a spoonful of oil. Though its low fat, its definitely not lacking in flavor! The tarka/tempering of mustard seeds,curry leaves and green chilies provides a boost of flavor. The chopped onions,ginger and cilantro takes the simple appe to a whole new level.

After I made my super soft and delicious Instant Mixed Dal Idlis-No Rice No fermentation, I decided to try  making appe out of the same batter. How cool is that- Idlis and appe out of the same batter! I also make an Instant Mixed Dal Dosa- No Rice No Fermentation which happens to be the most tried,tested,shared and searched recipe on my blog.

 

As you have figured out by now, I love low fat, high protein dishes that are also easy to make and relatively fuss free. Dals/lentils are an excellent source of protein, very cheap, very easily available and very versatile to cook with. I use my appe pan a lot to make Moong Dal Appe, Pesto Moong Dal Appe, Lauki ke Appe and Oatmeal Avocado Appe.

I have added onions, cilantro, green chilies and ginger- feel free to experiment with finely chopped colored peppers,spinach or any other vegetable. You could also try peanuts, toasted sesame seeds and coconut. I generally like to make these appe in coconut oil. Cooking in coconut oil is an acquired taste and in the case of these appe it tastes delicious made in coconut oil. if you absolutely don’t like coconut oil,just make it in any oil, it will still taste awesome!

 

 

Here is the written recipe followed by the step by step pictorial one-

Mixed Dal Appe-South Indian Style

Aanchal Gupta

A very healthy,high protein appetizer that’s made in a spoonful of oil. Made with only dals/lentils, its vegan and gluten free.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Servings 25 -30 appe

Ingredients

  

  • 2/3 cup White Urad Dal
  • 1/3 cup Yellow Moong Dal
  • 1/3 cup Arhar/Toor Dal
  • 1/3 cup Chana Dal
  • Salt as per taste
  • 1 1/2 tsp Eno/Fruit salt divided
  • Water as needed for grinding

for Tarka/Vaghar

  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 1 1/2 tsp Mustard seeds
  • 1 1/2 tsp White Urad Dal
  • 3 Green chilies chopped
  • 10-12 curry leaves torn

for Appe

  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • 1/3 cup cilantro/coriander/dhania finely chopped
  • 2 tsp ginger minced
  • 3-4 green chilies finely chopped(optional)
  • Oil for greasing appe pan

Instructions

 

  • Wash all dals together till water runs clear and soak overnight.
  • Grind the dals with some water till smooth(Don’t add too much water, just enough to make a smooth batter)

for Tarka/Vaghar

  • Heat 1 tbsp oil in a small pan.
  • Add Mustard seeds and urad dal and cook till Urad dal turns golden(You may have to cover the pan as mustard seeds will crackle and splutter)
  • Add chopped green chilies and curry leaves and stir.
  • Add the tarka/vaghar to the dal batter
  • Add salt and water as needed to make batter of dropping consistency
  • Add onions,ginger,cilantro/coriander/dhania and green chilies
  • Heat the appe pan and once heated, add a few drops of oil in each cavity
  • In 1 cup batter add 3/4 tsp Eno, you will see the batter beginning to froth
  • Put batter in the cavities, cover and cook on medium low flame
  • Flip when you notice the underside turn golden brown
  • Cook the other side as well and serve with chatni.

Notes

Its important to add Eno/fruit salt just before putting in the appe pan for the softest appe. Mix Eno to only 1 cup of batter, use it up and then mix again for the next batch. Immediately upon removing from pan, the center may seem soft, it will set in a few minutes. Its important to heat the pan first, then put oil in pan, heat that as well and then add the batter. Cover and cook on medium low, otherwise it may not cook through.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Here is the step by step pictorial recipe-

Ingredients-Moong,Chana.Urad and Arhar/toor/tuvar

Wash and soak the dals/lentils overnight

Grind the batter with little water till smooth

In pan heat oil and add mustard seeds and urad dal and cook till the dal turns golden in color

Add curry leaves and chopped green chilies,stir and add to ground dal

Add chopped onions,cilantro/coriander, green chilies and minced ginger

Meanwhile heat up your Appe pan and add some oil in each of the cavities

Add Eno(you will see it froth up) and mix well

Put a spoonful of batter in each cavity

Flip them over when one side is golden brown

Enjoy with Cilantro Green Chatni and Instant Tamarind Chatni made with Apple Butter

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18 Responses

  1. Pam

    Sorry, I’m not familiar with ‘dal’.

    Would I find this at a specialty store?

    I’d love to make these, they sound delicious!

    Thank you,
    Pam

    • Aanchal Gupta

      Hi Pam, dal is the Indian term for lentils/pulses. They are available in all Indian grocery stores and on Amazon. On Amazon search for ‘dal’ all varieties will show up. Thanks for visiting my blog, hope you find the lentils and get to try out the recipe.

    • Aanchal Gupta

      Hi soujanya, Eno makes the appe soft, so I would not skip it. If Eno is not an option, use a pinch of baking soda, though I have never made without Eno. Thanks for visiting my blog, please share your feedback.

  2. Sreedevi

    Today i prepared this and it was a big hit in my home. Thanks to you for such a wonderful healthy recipe.

    • Aanchal Gupta

      Thanks Steedevi, so happy to know that your family enjoyed the appe. Really is a healthy and delicious recipe.

    • Aanchal Gupta

      Thank you. Eno is fruit salt,generally used for digestion. Since it’s fizzy it helps to make dhoklas, appe etc soft.

    • Aanchal Gupta

      Hi Poornima, it’s an instant recipe so I have never fermented it. But I think if you ferment it, it will turn out soft. Then don’t add Eno.

    • Aanchal Gupta

      Hi Pratima, thanks for trying out my recipe and sharing your feedback. So glad that you loved the recipe.

        • Aanchal Gupta

          Hi Roger, I have never tried or heard of citric salt. Does it froth like Eno when mixed with water. If it froths up, then it’s ok to use it. That’s what makes the Appe soft. Otherwise it would be dry and hard.

    • Aanchal Gupta

      Yes, you can certainly make without onion, it will still taste good.

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