Authentic Kerala’s Ellai Adai

Since my (maternal) grandmother hails from Palakkad (Gateway of Kerala), I am lucky enough to learn and taste all her traditional recipes. Here I am (lazy Sunday!!), writing a blog post on the very traditional recipe of Ellai Adai that she had prepared along with lots of love, care and happiness. Plus, if you have a sweet tooth, then this is the recipe you must try!!!Trust me, it’s very easy, but time consuming. All you need is some patience (lots!!), love and a little trust on yourself (obviously a little more on me!!! 😀 ) Here we go then..

Now make sure you have all of these ingredients ready (Quantity mentioned for 4 people)

For the stuffing (Puranam)
1) Jackfruit (4-5 cut pieces)
2) Grated Coconut- Half cup
3) Jaggery- 1/4th cup

For Adai (Outer layer)
1) Rice Flour – 3/4th cup
2) Refined oil – 2-3 spoons
3) Banana Leaves

 (I think have made this even more easier and simpler by clicking pictures during every step)

(Ooh, I wish I had a picture of how our neighbours plucked jackfruit from their tree!!! Never mind.)
1)Chop the required pieces of Jackfruit (as small as you can)

2) Meanwhile heat the Kadai/Pan, add grated coconut and jaggery. Heat till they blend well.

3) After the jaggery and the coconut get mixed well, add the chopped jackfruit.

4) The mixed ingredients must look like this. Add Cardamom. Puranam is ready. Switch off the gas. Now, let’s concentrate on the outer layer (The main Adai!)

5) For 3/4th cups of rice flour add one and a half cups of water till the batter becomes thick.

6) The batter will look like this. (Do add two spoons of oil.)

7 ) Pre-Heat the Banana Leaves. (Becomes softer)

8) After pre-heating, spread the rice flour batter (similar to the pic)

9) Spread the Puranam, only in the corner of the batter and fold.

10) Steam/ Pressure cook the folded leaves for just 3 minutes.

11) Serve along with the leaf!!!

(Suggestion: You must definitely eat when it’s served hot! That jackfruit fragrance along with the flavour of caramelized jaggery might pull you towards this Ellai adai and go Food-gasmic!!)

Hey, you can thank me later!!! Have fun. =). Stay tuned for many more interesting traditional recipes!!! Au Revoir.