Ada or Ella ada is a traditional delicacy of Kerala. It consists of rice parcels encased in a dough made of rice flour with sweet fillings and is steamed in banana leaf and served as an evening snack. Usually the stuffing is made from jaggery and coconut but here I am also adding dates and almonds.
INGREDIENTS
Rice powder 1 teacup
Water 1/2 teacup
Dates chopped. 1/2 tea cup Coconut 1 tea cup
Jaggery powdered 1/2 – 3/4teacup
Almond chopped 1/2 tea cup
Cardamon powder 2 tsp
Ghee/Butter 1 tbsp
Salt to taste
Banana leaf 3 pieces
METHOD
In a bowl add rice powder, salt and water and knead it into a dough.It should not be wattery. Cover and keep aside.
In a deep pan add jaggery and enough water to melt it(1/2 teacup), let jaggery melt. When the jaggery melts strain it for impurities. If the jaggery is of good quality no need to strain.
Add coconut, cardamom powder, dates and almonds into the melted jaggery mix it well on low heat. Once the mixture is dry, turn off the heat.
Wash, clean and wipe the banana leaf. Cut in 6″ x 4″ or any other size you may want. Grease the leaf with ghee/butter.
Divide the rice dough into 2-3portions. Keep each portion on the leaf and slowly flatten with your fingers, spread it over the leaf.
Divide the stuffing into 2 -3 portions and spread it over the rice dough.
Fold the banana leaf into half.
In a pressure cooker keep all the adas and steam for 8-10 minutes.
Take it out. Serve it hot as evening snack.
