Kinnathappam (Ramzan Special)
Kinnathappam is a traditional Kerala Muslim sweet made from rice flour, coconut milk, and jaggery, steamed in a brass vessel or plate (kinnam). It is a beloved Ramzan iftar treat with a soft, pudding-like texture and a delicate coconut-jaggery sweetness.
⏱ Prep: 15 mins🍳 Cook: 30 mins⌛ Total: 45 mins🍕 Serves: 8
Ingredients
- 2 cups raw rice, soaked overnight and ground to a fine paste
- 1 cup thick coconut milk
- 1 cup jaggery, dissolved in 1/4 cup water and strained
- 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
- A pinch of salt
- Coconut oil to grease the plate
- For garnish: thinly sliced coconut and fried cashews in coconut oil
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Soak raw rice overnight and grind with a little water to a very fine, smooth batter.
- In a large bowl, mix the rice batter with coconut milk.
- Add strained jaggery water and mix well until fully combined.
- Add cardamom powder and a pinch of salt. The batter should be of a thin, pourable consistency.
- Grease a wide plate or brass kinnam generously with coconut oil.
- Pour the batter into the greased plate.
- Steam over boiling water in a large vessel, covered, for 25-30 minutes until set. Test with a skewer.
- Remove and allow to cool for 10 minutes before cutting.
- Garnish with fried coconut slices and cashews.
- Cut into diamond or square pieces and serve warm or at room temperature.
Chef's Tip: The consistency of the rice batter is key – it should be silky smooth with no graininess. Use Precious cold pressed coconut oil for greasing and frying the garnish cashews – the authentic coconut aroma is part of what makes kinnathappam special.
Cook with authentic cold pressed oils — the difference is in every bite.