Today’s recipe is a traditional sweet from Jaffna called the “Ellu Pa.” This is a spiced sweet made of sesame seeds and it is one of my mother’s favourite.

The recipe I am sharing today is that of my great-grandmother, as remembered and occasionally made by my mother.

Ellu Pa

Time taken: 15 mins

Makes 4

Ingredients:

• Sesame seeds/ Ellu – ½ cup
• Urad dhal/ black gram flour – ¼ cup, roasted
• Sugar – ¼ cup
• Pepper powder – ½ tsp
• Cumin powder – ½ tsp

Method:

1. First, grind the sugar and sesame seeds together in a blender.
2. Then, add the urad dhal flour and continue grinding the mixture.
3. Transfer the blended flour mix to a mixing bowl.
4. Add the pepper and cumin powder to the bowl. Mix well.
5. Add a little hot water and make the ‘ellu pa’ dough. Divide the dough into 4 balls.
6. Serve with tea.

Recipe source: Raji Thillainathan.