The secret to your soft vattayappam aka steamed rice cake

The fluffy and tasty vattayappam is always a favourite among Keralites. This steamed rice cake is a popular snack item and more the softer, the more it melts in your mouth. Here is the recipe to make the best soft rice cake this Christmas.

Ingredients
2 cups white long grain rice
1 cup grated coconut
1 cup white rice flakes (Aval in Malayalam, Poha in Hindi)
½ tsp cardamom
Salt to taste
½ tsp yeast
2 tbsp sugar
Cashew nuts and raisins - For garnishing (Optional)

Preparation
Wash thoroughly and soak 2 cups of long grain rice in a bowl for 4 to 6 hours
In a bowl, combine soaked white rice, grated coconut and rice flakes with small quantity of water
In a blender, blend to paste with a thicker consistency (same as Idli batter)
Mix well in a bowl and add instant yeast along with 2 tbsp sugar
Ferment 8 to 10 hours
Mix it well, add salt (as per taste), cardamom powder and sugar (can be ½ cup to ¾ cup depending on your choice of sweetness)
In a steel plate, spread some ghee, then fill half portion of it with the batter. Place it in a steamer when the water boils
Steam 15 to 20 minutes
Cut the Vattayapam in a triangular or square shape before serving.