Ela Ada (Using Rice and oats powder)

Today being the fourth day after ThiruOnam and as we had to attend Kerala Samajam  Onam celebrations, I decided to make a very simple breakfast but while pondering and looking around what to prepare, I got to see the leftover banana leaves staring at me and expecting me to have them used as now a days its so difficult to get banana leaves. So I decided to introduce my kids to Ella ada - A sweet dumplings made up of rice/white flour, grated coconut and jaggery.

I knew it that my kids and husband would love it as its a kind off sweet dish. Ela Ada in Kerala is generally made up of rice but here I have used  powdered oats along with rice powder to make it more healthier.

Lets see how to prepare this healthy and yummy Illa ada in a simple way !!!!!!!!!!!!

Ingredients                                                   Quantity                                                 
Brown rice powder                                          : 1 Cup
Oats                                                                      : 1 Cup
Salt                                                                       :  1 tsp

For Stuffing
Grated  fresh coconut                                     : 1 cup or as required
Palm Jaggery                                                    : 1 cup
Cardamom powder                                         : 1/2 tsp
Water                                                                   : 1/4 cup
Ghee                                                                     : 1 tsp
For making ada:
Banana leaves(cut it into medium squares )    :7-8 pieces
Idli pan

Preparation Method:                                                                                                   

• On medium flame, slightly roast the oats for 5-10 mins. Remove from flame and when cooled,grind it to fine powder. 
• In a bowl, mix the rice flour,powdered oats, ghee and salt and knead the rice, oats flour adding enough lukewarm water to make dough. It should be slightly soft and elastic in texture. Keep it aside for 10-15 mins.
• In the meantime, boil Jaggery by adding very little water(1/4cup), so that we can strain out the impurities from it. Keep stirring so that it does not stick to the pan.
• Once strained again boil it by continuously stirring it to reduce its quantity, remove from flame .Add cardamom powder and grated coconut and mix well. Allow it to cool.
• Now make balls from the rice and oats dough of equal size.
• Take a banana leaf and spread the rice/oats dough evenly on the leaf using your hand. If you find the dough a bit hard then dip your hand in a bowl of water and then spread the dough evenly on the leaf.
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• Take a tablespoon of stuffing ( sweetened coconut) over this and spread it evenly on either one side of it or all over it.
• Fold the banana leaf in the middle and slightly press at the centre.
• Arrange all the adas in an idli plate and steam cook in a idli pot.
• Remove it from the banana leaf and serve it hot.

For kids, let it cool, cut it into small squares and see them enjoying this welicious delicious dish as my kids had. My son has asked me to prepare it again, which surely will I.