Easy Guide to Making Hopper at Home

Are you tired of making the same old breakfast every morning? Want to switch it up and try something new? Then hop on board and learn how to make the traditional Sri Lankan breakfast dish, hopper.

Hopper is a crispy and fluffy pancake made from fermented rice flour batter and coconut milk. It is typically eaten for breakfast, but can also be enjoyed as a snack or even a main meal. The beauty of hopper is that it can be customized to your liking with different toppings such as eggs, spicy sambal, or sweet coconut jaggery. Don’t worry if you’ve never made it before, I’ll guide you through the process step by step so you can impress your family and friends with this delicious dish.

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Section 1: Equipment Needed

Essential Equipment for Making Hopper

When it comes to making a hopper, the right tools can make all the difference. Here are some of the essential equipment you will need before getting started:

1. Hopper pan – This is the most important piece of equipment as it is the vessel where the batter will be poured and cooked.

2. Ladle – A ladle is needed to pour the batter into the hopper pan evenly.

3. Mixing bowl – A mixing bowl is needed to make the batter. A large bowl will help prevent spills and splatters.

4. Measuring cups and spoons – These will help you measure the ingredients accurately.

5. Whisk – A whisk will help you mix the batter smoothly.

6. Spatula – A spatula is needed to remove the hopper from the pan and ensure that it does not stick.

7. Coconut scraper – This is needed to scrape fresh coconut, which is one of the main ingredients in hopper.

8. Blender – A blender is needed to blend the soaked rice and coconut into a smooth batter.

9. Cloth – A cloth is needed to strain the batter and remove any lumps.

10. Stove – A stove or a hopper maker is needed to cook the hopper.

Section 2: Ingredients

Ingredients: What You’ll Need

To make a delicious hopper, you will need the following ingredients:

1. Rice – The main ingredient in hopper is rice, preferably raw rice.

2. Coconut – Freshly grated coconut is required to give hopper its authentic taste.

3. Yeast – Dry yeast is added to the batter to help it ferment and rise.

4. Salt – Salt is added for flavour.

5. Sugar – Sugar is added to help the batter ferment.

6. Water – Water is added to the batter to thin it out and make it pourable.

Section 3: Preparing the Batter

How To Prepare the Hopper Batter?

Now that you have all the necessary equipment and ingredients, it’s time to make the batter. Follow these steps for a perfect hopper batter:

1. Wash and soak the rice for at least 4-5 hours.

2. Drain the water and blend the rice along with grated coconut using a blender. Add water as required to get a smooth batter.

3. Once the batter is blended, pour it into a large mixing bowl.

4. Add yeast, sugar, and salt to the batter and mix well.

5. Cover the bowl with a cloth and let the batter ferment in a warm place for at least 6-8 hours.

6. Once the batter has fermented, add some water to make it thin and pourable.

7. Strain the batter through a cloth to remove any lumps.

Section 4: Preparing the Hopper Pan

Preparing the Hopper Pan: Tips and Tricks

Before you start making the hopper, it’s important to prepare the hopper pan. Here are some tips and tricks to help you prepare the hopper pan:

1. Grease the hopper pan with oil or ghee, so the hopper does not stick.

2. Heat the hopper pan on medium heat for a few minutes before pouring the batter. This will help the hopper cook evenly.

3. Use a ladle to pour the batter into the hopper pan, start from the outer edge and move towards the center, covering the whole pan evenly.

4. Cover the hopper pan with a lid to let the hopper cook.

Section 5: Cooking the Hopper

Method for Cooking the Hopper

Once the hopper pan is ready, it’s time to start cooking the hopper. Follow these simple steps to cook the perfect hopper:

1. Pour the prepared batter into the hopper pan.

2. Cover the pan with a lid and let it cook for 3-4 minutes on medium heat.

3. Once the hopper starts to cook and the edges start to crisp up, use a spatula to remove the hopper from the pan carefully.

4. Repeat the process until all the batter is used up.

Section 6: Serving the Hopper

Serving the Hopper: Best Practices

Congratulations! You’ve successfully made hopper. Now it’s time to serve it up and enjoy. Here are a few tips on how to serve your hopper:

1. Serve the hopper hot with chutney or sambar.

2. Hopper pairs well with coconut chutney, tomato chutney, or any spicy Indian curry.

3. You can also serve hopper with a sweet coconut filling, which makes for a delicious dessert.

4. Add some grated coconut on top of the hopper for an added nutty flavour.

Section 7: Tips and Tricks for Making Perfect Hopper

How to Get the Perfect Hopper Every Time?

Hopper making can be a tricky process, but practice makes perfect. Here are some tips and tricks to help you make the perfect hopper:

1. Use good quality rice and fresh coconut.

2. Strain the batter through a cloth to get a smooth texture.

3. Don’t overheat the hopper pan, as this can make the hopper burn.

4. Cover the hopper pan with a lid to let the hopper cook evenly.

Section 8: Hopper Variations

Popular Variations of Hopper Recipe

While the authentic hopper recipe is simple, there are several variations of the recipe that you can try. Here are some popular variations:

1. Egg hopper – Add a cracked egg to the hopper before it is cooked to make egg hopper.

2. Cheese hopper – Add grated cheese to the hopper before it is cooked to make cheese hopper.

3. Veg hopper – Add grated vegetables like carrots, cabbage, and onions to the hopper batter for a healthy twist.

4. Sweet hopper – Add jaggery or palm sugar to the batter to make sweet hopper.

Section 9: Conclusion

To Sum Up

Making hopper is a fun and rewarding experience. With a few essential ingredients and some practice, you can make delicious hopper right at home. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll be making hopper like a pro in no time. Happy cooking!

Section 10: FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions About Hopper Recipe

1. Can I use cooked rice to make hopper?

No, it is recommended to use raw rice to make hopper.

2. Can I make hopper without yeast?

Yes, you can make hopper without yeast by adding baking soda or eno fruit salt.

3. Can I use desiccated coconut instead of fresh coconut?

No, it is recommended to use freshly grated coconut for the best results.

4. Can I store the hopper batter in the fridge?

Yes, you can store the hopper batter in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

5. Can I freeze hopper?

No, it is not recommended to freeze hopper as it can affect the texture and taste of the hopper.

Ingredients You Will Need

To make Hoppers, you will need the following ingredients:

1. Rice Flour:

The primary ingredient for hopper is rice flour. You can easily find rice flour in any grocery store.

2. Coconut Milk:

Coconut milk gives hopper its unique flavour. It’s preferable to use freshly made coconut milk, but if that’s not available, you can always use canned coconut milk.

3. Yeast:

Yeast is added to the hopper batter to help with fermentation. You can find it readily available in the baking section of any supermarket.

4. Sugar:

Sugar is added to hopper batter to give it sweetness. It helps with the fermenting process by making the batter more inviting to yeast.

5. Water:

Water is used to make the hopper batter. It is essential to use the right amount of water to get the correct consistency.

6. Salt:

No dish is complete without salt. It is added to hopper batter, according to taste.

7. Oil:

A little bit of oil is added to the hopper batter to prevent it from sticking to the pan.

8. Eggs:

Eggs are used to make egg hoppers – a variation of traditional hopper.

9. Jaggery:

Jaggery is a sweetener commonly used in South Asian cooking. You can use jaggery as a substitute for sugar in hopper.

10. Turmeric:

Turmeric is used to give the hopper its famous yellow colour. You can add this ingredient according to taste.

Hoppers are one of the most popular breakfast dishes in Sri Lanka. These bowl-shaped pancakes are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They are made from rice flour, coconut milk and a few other ingredients. Here are the key ingredients needed to make hopper:

Now that you have all the ingredients, let’s dive into making the hopper following these easy step-by-step instructions:

1. Mix the ingredients for the batter

In a large mixing bowl, combine the rice flour, coconut milk, yeast, sugar, salt and water. Mix the ingredients well using your hands or a whisk until you have a smooth batter. Add more water if needed to get the right consistency. Let the batter rest for at least one hour.

2. Prepare the hopper pan

Heat a small skillet or hopper pan on medium to high heat. Once hot, pour a small amount of oil or ghee into the pan. Swirl it around so that the entire surface is coated with oil. Wipe off any excess oil using a paper towel.

3. Pour the batter into the pan

Pour a ladle full of batter into the pan and swirl it around to coat the entire surface of the pan. Cover the pan with a lid and cook the hopper for about 2 to 3 minutes, until the edges are crispy and the bottom is golden brown.

4. Fill the hopper with your choice of filling

Once the hopper is cooked, remove it from the pan using a spatula and fill it with your choice of filling. Hoppers can be filled with a variety of ingredients, ranging from eggs to vegetables to meat.

5. Serve and enjoy!

Serve the hopper hot and enjoy your delicious Sri Lankan breakfast treat!

Here are some tips to help you make perfect hoppers:

1. Use a hopper pan: Hopper pans are specially designed for making hoppers. You can use a small skillet if you cannot find a hopper pan, but a hopper pan will make it easier to get the desired shape.

2. Try different fillings: Hoppers can be filled with a variety of ingredients. Try different fillings to find your favourite flavour.

3. Let the batter rest: Letting the batter rest for at least one hour will allow the yeast to activate, which will give the hopper its characteristic shape and texture.

4. Adjust the consistency: Adjust the consistency of the batter by adding more water if it’s too thick or more rice flour if it’s too thin.

5. Experiment with the heat: Adjust the heat to get the desired texture. A hotter pan will result in a crispier hopper, while a cooler pan will produce a softer hopper.

The bottom line

Making hopper may seem daunting at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s a tasty and rewarding dish to make. With these simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, you can create a delicious hopper in no time!

Serve up delicious hoppers at your next breakfast spread!

I hope this article has given you a better understanding of how to make hopper. These delicious and versatile dishes can be enjoyed with a variety of accompaniments like sambol, chutney, or even some spicy curry. With a little bit of patience and practice, you too can make perfect, crispy hoppers every time. Thanks for reading, and be sure to come back for more food-related tips and tricks!