ELANCHI/CREPES

My hubby loved this when I made it for the first time. This is a Kerala snack and is very easy to prepare.

It is a form of pancake made from eggs and flour. Filling is made out of coconut, aval/poha and sugar. The sweet and salty combination and the use of Indian spices gives this dish a unique taste and flavour.

INGREDIENTS

Maida/all purpose flour  1 tea cup
Water                                       1  1/4 tea cup
Egg                                             1
Turmeric powder                1/4 tsp
Salt to taste

For stuffing

Aval/flattened rice/poha   1 teacup
Grated Coconut                      1 teacup
Water                                         1/2 tea cup
Sugar                                          1  1/2- 2 tbsp
Cardamom powder               1/2 tsp

METHOD 

In a bowl add 1 teacup aval/poha and sprinkle 1/2 teacup water. Add freshly grated coconut, sugar and cardamom powder. Cover and keep it aside. Let it rest for half an hour.

In another bowl break an egg and beat it well, add salt, turmeric powder and flour. Whisk it well and make a smooth batter . The batter should be thinner than dosa consistency.

Heat a flat nonstick pan and on medium flame add a spoon of  batter in the centre,  spread with the back of the spoon to a thin round disk  like a dosa.

When it is cooked on one side, take it out and keep on a plate. Place 1-2 tbsp coconut filling on one end of the pancake and roll it as shown above.

Repeat the process with rest of the batter.

Transfer it a serving dish. Serve hot.

MIXED FRUIT CUSTARD

Mixed fruit custard is a healthy, tasty and easy to make desert. Different kinds of fruits can be added in the custard.

INGREDIENTS

• Milk                                       500 ml/ 1/2 L
• Grapes slit in halves           1 1/2 teacup
• Apple chopped fine              1
• Banana(small) chopped       3
• Raisins                                     1/4 teacup
• Sugar                                       1/4 teacup
• Custard powder                     3 tbsp

METHOD

Take out 1/4 teacup milk from 500 ml and mix 3 tbsp custard powder in it. Mix well, make sure there is no lumps. Keep the custard paste aside.

I have used weikfield custard powder, vanilla flavour.

Boil the remaining milk. Add sugar into the milk and bring milk to a boil in a deep bottom vessel on medium to low heat.

When it starts boiling, on low heat add the custard paste slowly into the boiling milk. Keep stirring till the milk starts boiling. Turn off the heat.

Let it cool down completely. Chop all the cut fruits  dry fruits and add to the custard.

Chill in a refrigerator for 2-3 hours.

Serve in bowls chilled.