Ela adai is a delicacy that can bring many nostalgic memories. This is another sweet, which in my home, is usually prepared in the summer months when jackfruit is available in plenty. The filling for the elai adai is prepared using ripe jackfruit bulbs.
In Kerala, elai adai is served in many small tea shops/hotels through out the year. When jackfruit is out of season, aval (beaten rice)/banana takes the place of the main ingredient. This is the first time I am trying with banana filling.
To prepare the filling
I used the Nenthrapazham variety which is a speciality of Kerala. I haven't tried with any other variety of banana.
Ripe bananas - 2 Powdered
Jaggery - 1 1/2 cup
Grated coconut - 1 cup
Cardamon - 1 tspn
Ghee - 1 tblspn
Slice the banana into bite sized cubes. Heat a kadai. Add a teaspoon of ghee. Transfer the banana cubes. Cook till they turn soft.
Add jaggery powder and keep mixing. When the mixture starts to thicken, stir in the coconut. Cook till the mixture comes together and no trace of liquid found.
Finally add cardamom powder and remove from fire.
You can prepare the filling before hand and refrigerate.
For the outer covering
Roasted rice flour - 1 1/2 cup
Hot water - 1 cup
salt to taste
Add salt to rice flour and mix well. Make a well in the center and slowly add hot water. Mix with a spatula. Add enough water to get a soft dough.
Wash and wipe dry the banana leaf. Run it over the flame and you can notice the color change. This makes the leaf more manageable.
Grease a leaf with oil. Take a lemon size of the rice dough. Pat into a circle of 3 inch diameter. Take a spoonful of the filling and place it on one half of the circle.
Fold the leaf such a way that the other half covers the filled one. Repeat with rest of the dough.
I used my MW Idli maker for steaming them. I could steam 3 at a time.
Steam for 7 minutes. Adjust the timing according to your MW and size of the adais you make.
Yummy elai adai is ready.
I am going to make this often since the process is simple and easy when compared to the so called traditional ones, though I will rate them the highest.
I am sending this across to Srivalli for her MEC-Steamed Dishes event.
Elai adai....my favourite....somehow I can't think of it with any filling other than jackfruit, though....I've made it the traditional way and have photos in my draft...will be posting...
ReplyDeleteBanana, jaggary and coconut!! HEAVEN!!:)
ReplyDeletejayasree..I love this dish so much..thank you for the lovely entry!
ReplyDeleteWow..Elai Adai..as you said it conjures up many memories.Thanks for sharing this recipe.
ReplyDeletemy fav..love this combo ...can eat this anytime..looks perfect!!!nice step by step instructions..
ReplyDeleteNice Ela Adai, but will skip the banana part...apt entry
ReplyDeletewow, those wrappers look yummy! Love the way you tied them in a banana leaf. Nice entry.
ReplyDeleteThese are good, Jayasree. But jackfruit in these is the best, isn't it.
ReplyDeleteBtw, I don't think any other banana would work other than nendrapazham.
I miss these so badly. My grandmother used to make it for me. Such a good combination.
ReplyDeleteI love this ellu kozhukattai (we call it) , the stuffing is so good Jaya !
ReplyDeleteLooks like a version of kozhukattai. Jayashree. Sounds great, but would have to leave out the bananas for me! :)
ReplyDeleteI have something for you! Check my blog!
ReplyDeletelovely and a different entry...Thanks for sharing the recipe and that too a MW version
ReplyDeleteNever had it, but will surely try it. BTW have a surprise for u on my blog. Thnx for yours :))
ReplyDeleteheard a lot about this dish but haven't had the chance to taste it. we make kozhukattai ,somewhat similar to this dish .. looks great and nice pics.
ReplyDeleteMissed you all while my cable guy disappeared during the last few days! That is a very nice recipe...you have made it simple too...I love the traditional one but never tried it as it did seem cumbersome...This one is good!
ReplyDeletejayashree, Me too. As I said this is the first time I ventured to me make using bananas.
ReplyDeleteashakka,valli,shalini,ranji - thanks.
bhags, you can replace banana with jackfruit/poha
thanks uma
aparna, I totally agree with you.
madhuram,cham,sowmya thanks
ReplyDeletekalai, yes, its similar to kozhukkattai preparation.
gaurav, do try.
prema, do try it. As u said only the last step differs from kozhakattai making.
SSMom, glad to see u back. So thats reason for ur blog MIA. Its worth the effort in the case of traditional ones.
I tagged for a meme. Just check my blog..not a compulsion. Do it at leisure:)
ReplyDeletethis looks absolutely great. i ve never steamed banana leaves, in fact I never used any...
ReplyDeletethis is some what similar to kozhukattai.will be useful in festive time.planning to try
ReplyDelete