Oats Utthappam - Savoury Oat Pancakes

Oats Utthappam

Using oatmeal instead of flour for pancakes and making them savoury is a great alternative for those of us who, for medical reasons, are forced to watch our carbohydrate intake. Utthappam, a South Indian breakfast delicacy, are savoury pancakes made with fermented rice and urad dal or lentils. 

This took less than 15 minutes to set up. Oatmeal is ground to a fine flour and then combined with yogurt, salt and the other ingredients to a pancake consistency. I used omelette ingredients comprising onions, tomatoes, green chilies & cilantro, all of which were diced and mixed in with the oatmeal mixture and then cooked in a cast iron omelette pan with very little oil.

Plain Greek yogurt is a staple in our refrigerator, but regular plain yogurt would work just as well, if not better, because of its water content. We had these for lunch today and could have only two each because they were so filling.

Savoury Pancakes

Savoury Pancakes

Makes: 8 pancakes

Ingredients

1/4 cup chickpea/gram flour (besan) or all-purpose flour

2 Tbsp. rice flour

1 egg, beaten (optional for vegans)

3 Tbsp. plain yogurt (not fat-free)

1 small onion, chopped finely

1 medium tomato, chopped finely

1 green chilli, chopped finely

1 tsp, crushed kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)

Salt to taste

1 Tbsp. vegetable oil

Method

1. Combine the first four ingredients and stir batter until smooth.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients except oil and set aside.
3. Heat a frying pan and add oil; wipe oil over surface of pan with a paper towel.
4. Pour 3 Tbsp. batter into pan, swirling to make a circular shape.
5. Cook until bubbles surface, flip over and cook until done.
6. Set pancake aside and wipe the pan with the paper towel that was used before.
7. Repeat this process until all the batter is used.
8. Serve with sweet chilli sauce.

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