As much as the sun and the sands lure you to the golden beaches of Goa, so does the coastal aroma and the perfect amalgamation of Portuguese cuisine and local ingredients.
I have travelled quite a number of beaches along the Northern and Southern hemispheres..still, I hold the beaches of Goa close to my heart. The reason, the vegetarian food variety to choose from is abominable. When it is a coastal cuisine, there definitely is coconuts that run in your head. So this was the reason to choose the famous Alle bele, coconut crepe rolls, from the Goan cuisine for the Shhhh cooking challenge.
Tea time
It all fell into place when AmritaIyer of The Food Samaritan, chose the secret ingredients as flour and sugar. I couldn’t think beyond the lace-like crepe filled with the sticky caramelly sweet coconut to partner up with a cup of warm green tea for a perfect evening.
Moving away from the traditional the only difference I have made is the sugar instead of the coconut jaggery. I have tasted Alle bele with coconut jaggery when my mom made it when we were small. I remember it being drizzled with honey..but can’t remember beyond.
If you can get your hands on some coconut jaggery don’t miss the opportunity to add that, for that will give the perfect aroma and mild sweetness that it amply deserves.
Over and again I do a lot of snacks than perfect mains as we do feel its healthier to eat smaller meals than one large one. In this case, the evening tea and afterschool snack play an important role. Alle bele, therefore, is a perfect afterschool treat for the hungry tummies and a wonderful sweet teatime for the adults.
So on with the recipe, we go as you scroll down.
Meanwhile, we have one more from the Goan cuisine, laden with beans for you to try
Do leave your comments and thoughts here or on our Instagram account @mildlyindian.
Keep in touch …and enjoy the recipe
Alle bele
The Goan teatime Pancake
Ingredients
For the filling
- 1/2 cup coconut grated
- 2 tbsp low fat milk
- 2 tbsp unrefined sugar use coconut sugar/ coconut jaggery if preffered
- 1 pod cardamom crushed
- 1 tsp ghee
For the crepes
- 2 tbsp whole wheat flour (heaped )
- 1/2 cup low fat/ full cream milk
- 1 egg
- 1 pinch baking soda
- 2 pinches salt
- Water if needed to thin out the batter
Instructions
- In a well-seasoned pan roast the coconut till slightly golden.
- Then add the milk and sugar and cook it down on a low heat till it forms a sticky dry mixture.
- This is the filling and can be saved for a few days.
- Now to the crepe batter, Mix all the ingredients for the batter well into a smooth lumpless batter ( except water)
- The batter needs to be of pouring consistency so thin it out with water if needed.
- Heat a flat pan with raised and grease it well. Lower the heat to below medium and continue
- Pour a ladle ful of the batter and swirl the pan around or spread it well into a thin spread
- When cooked on one side and golden, flip over to the other side for a minute.
- Remove and set on a plate
- To roll, place two tsp of filling on one well done side of the pancake and fold the sides over
- Then roll like a log. place the open end down on the plate.
- Its ready to serve
Notes
If your crepes are thick, rolling becomes a problem- Use toothpicks to hold them
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
The sweet coconut crepes look so tempting Seema !
Oh such an delicious coconut creeps these are my grand ma prepares this.. your post reminds my grandma..
You did full justice to both the ingredients Seema!Just loved the post!
Amazing how the crepes from each region vary a bit ..
These look so inviting.
Oh, this looks and sounds so good! I’m going to try these coconut crepes out soon! 🙂
What a beautiful recipe Seema. Can’t wait to try this version.
You gave complete justice to the ingredients!I am very impressed!Give urself a pat on the back and think about a hug from me too Seema!
This is just similar to our eylanchi! This is the traditional recipe but now everybody makes it the easy way out by whisking maida… But the filling is slightly various, totally love how it is cooked… I haven’t had this for so long and HD loves it a lot… must make it for him soon…
Looks like so addictive… I can’t stop with one crepe. YUM YUM !
That’s absolutely true, i ended up making three batches.
yummy crepes looks so tasty….delicious share
Thank you Nisa
I’ve yet to try and make this delectable dessert at home. I remember trying this dessert in a restaurant in Mumbai. Anyway any type of pancakes and crepes are my favorite.
oh that’s lovely
The alle balle are perfectly made. Looking delicious.
Thankyou dear, glad it looks for you.
I want to make these crepes! Will hunt down the ingredients including the coconut jaggery for that authentic taste and look! Thanks for sharing this lovely recipe!
That will be so awesome, Sujatha. Please share a pic when you do… am sure it will taste better with coconut jaggery.