A pure bronze paniyaram/unni appam pan is a traditional cooking vessel used in South Indian cuisine, specifically for making dishes like paniyaram (small savory dumplings) or unni appam (sweet rice-based fritters). The pan typically has several hemispherical indentations, resembling a muffin or aebleskiver pan. Here’s a detailed description of the pan
- Material: Made entirely of bronze, a high-quality metal that provides excellent heat conduction, ensuring uniform cooking. Bronze is also known for its durability and longevity.
- Shape and Design: It has multiple cavities, usually 7 or more, each shaped like a half-sphere. These indentations allow for the formation of perfectly round paniyarams or appams. The outer body is sturdy and often slightly curved, with a flat or slightly raised rim.
- Cooking Surface: The indentations are deep enough to hold batter and allow it to rise as it cooks. Bronze ensures even heating, preventing the batter from sticking, while giving the appam or paniyaram a crispy outer layer and soft, fluffy interior.
- Weight: Bronze pans tend to be heavy due to the density of the metal. This helps in maintaining a stable heat source, making them ideal for slow, even cooking.
- Seasoning: Like cast iron pans, traditional bronze pans often need to be seasoned with oil before use to create a natural non-stick surface. Over time, this seasoning improves the pan's cooking performance.