Mor Appam and Kuzhi Paniyaram are close cousins. While idli or dosa batter is used in kuzhi paniyaram, ground rice and yogurt are the main ingredients in mor appam. Both are tasty and bland dishes. Equally delicious. There is also a sweet version called nei appam – meaning ghee dumplings. I have made it with no ghee or grease of any kind. Boy, it was tasty. Nei appams are often made as offerings to the Gods.
Both mor appams and kuzhi paniyarams are breakfast dishes though they can be had at any point of time during the day. While mor appam is a typical Palakkad dish, kuzhi paniyaram is a typical Tamilian one. Since both are bland, they are suitable for those who like bland food. For others, a spicy coconut chutney is the most common accompaniment.

Ingredients
1 cup,rice (I used low glycemic index ricep)
1/3 cup split black le tips (urad dal, ulutham parupu)
1 tbsp Bengal gram (chana dal, kadalai parupu)
1/2 cup plant based yogurt
1/8 th. tsp red chili powder
Unrefined salt to taste
To Temper
1/2/tsp mustard seeds (sarson, kadugu)
1 tbsp split black lentils
1 tbsp Bengal gram
A handful of coriander leaves, chopped
1 sprig curry leaves, chopped
2 green chilis, chopped
A pinch of asafoetida (hing, perunkayam)
Methodfxxs
In a bowl, add the rice, black lentils and Bengal gram
Wash thoroughly and soak for 3 hours
Drain the water and add yogurt
Grind to a smooth paste (no need to add water)
Transfer to a vessel and add salt
Mix well and set aside for 3 hours to ferment
Heat a wok and add mustard seeds, split black lentils, Bengal gram, coriander leaves, curry leaves and green chilis
Saute till the lentils turn golden brown
Add salt
Mix well and add to the batter
Add red chili powder
Mix well (the batter should be the consistency of idli batter)
If need be, add more yogurt to adjust consistency
Brush the ape pan with coconut milk or tahini
Pour a little batter into each of the indentations of the ape pan
Cover and cook
Once one side is done, flip over and cook the other side
Once both sides are done, take out the mor appam
Repeat for the remaining batter
Serve hot with coconut chutney
Enjoy!