Elayappam (Steamed Banana Leaf Pancake)

September 10, 2020

Elayappam (Steamed Banana Leaf Pancake)

Elayappam is a sweet traditional breakfast of Kerala, using banana leaves. This pancake can be steam cooked in a pressure cooker or idly cooker or steamer.

You can add cashew nuts, banana, ripe jackfruit or several other ingredients to the filling, as per your preference.

Ingredients

1 cup =250ml

Whole wheat flour, 2 cups

Water, 1 cup

Salt, 1/4 tsp

Grated coconut, 1 full cup

Jaggery powder*, 1/2 cup

Cardamom powder, 1/4 tsp

[Optional] Cashew nuts

[Optional] Sliced Banana

Ghee, 1 tsp

Coconut oil, 1 tsp

Banana leaves, for wrapping

*NB: If you do not have jaggery powder, crush organic whole jaggery with a mortar and pestle. Sliver the smaller pieces with a sharp knife. Organic jaggery need not to boiled or filtered. I also use sun island jaggery.

Preparation

Mix the jaggery, cardamom powder, and coconut, then set aside.
In a wide bowl, mix the flour with salt. Add water little by little and knead to make a smooth dough. If it is sticky, rub a little coconut oil or ghee in your palms. It should not be like chapatti dough. It should be a little sticky, and looser than chapati dough. Set aside.

Wash the banana leaves and wipe dry. Cut into small pieces.
Divide the dough and jaggery mix into 6 or 7 parts each.
Take a little water in a bowl and set aside.
Place the banana leaf on a dry clean surface. Grease each leaf with a little ghee. Dip your fingers in the water and place one ball in the middle of the leaf. Evenly flatten the ball in a thin circular shape, leaving a little space around the edges.
Place one part of jaggery mix in the middle of the dough and spread onto one half of pancake. Garnish with nuts and banana. Lift the other edge of the leaf and fold over. Press gently, to seal.
Repeat the same process.
Steam cook the pancakes for 15 minutes, then switch off the flame.
After 5 minutes, open the steamer and carefully remove the pancakes using tongs. If the leaf is pale and can be peeled off easily, then the pancake is ready. If not, turn over and cook in the steamer for 5 more minutes.