Elai Appam

Elai appam is a recipe made out of chakka varatti. This is very easy to make and made out of banana leaves that’s why it’s called so. Before started doing this the vital part is you need to do set the banana leaves flexible as it may not get folded and it may get tear at the sides of the leaves so to avoid Keep a leaf at a time on the gas flame for few seconds, flipping and turning the leaf so that the leaf is slightly wilted. This step helps in making the parcel easy. Care should be taken as showing directly to the flame may burn the leaves. Doing this, the leaves will turn dark and flexible.

 

Ingredients:

• Chakka Varati/Jack fruit jam- 4-5 Tspn
• Coconut shredded- half Cup
• Rice flour-half Cup
• All purpose flour/Maida-Half Cup
• Salt- ¼ Tspn

Method:

• Mix the chakka varati and the coconut and keep aside(this is the filling used)
• Cut the wilted banana leaves (as stated above) to big square shape and keep aside.
• Make dough of rice flour, salt and Maida adding little water and keep aside.
• In the wilted leaves, spread the ghee and gently press the dough and make a circle.
• In center of the circle keep a scoop of the filling and press gently for a small circle.
• Fold the leaves like a parcel.
• Keep the parceled leaves into the idly cooker and bake it for about 20 minutes.

 

Tips:

"The dough should be loose so that it spreads easily into the leaves.

Care should be taken while folding the leaves, so it’s better to pack loosely and transfer immediately into the cooker.

While making the dough touch wet your palms with water often so that it wont stick into your hands."