In Goa, relatives and friends invite the newly married couple for either lunch or dinner. This custom is called jevonn, symbolizing the welcome and acceptance of the new member in the family. When we got married, my aunt (dad's brother's wife) invited us over for lunch. An amazing cook, the entire spread was incredibly delicious. What stood out the most and caught my attention was the Polle as she called them or also known as Chitiaps. Rich pancakes prepared with a rice batter that is enriched with ground coconut, egg and fermented with toddy. Soft, porous, they literally melt-in-the-mouth and are a perfect accompaniment to dunk and eat any spicy meat or vegetable gravy. So mouthwateringly delicious, nostalgic and unforgettable.
Parboiled red rice is soaked overnight and then ground with freshly grated coconut to a fine paste. Lightly beaten egg and toddy are mixed in to form a pouring consistency batter, which is set aside to ferment and rise. The chitiaps are cooked on a greased tawa until light brown at the bottom, bubbly and set on top, flipped and cooked on the other side for few seconds. Toddy can be substituted with yeast. Chitiaps are equally spongy with yeast too. The East Indians prepare them with a combination of either rice flour and wheat flour or rice flour and maida, coconut milk, egg and yeast.
Parboiled red rice is soaked overnight and then ground with freshly grated coconut to a fine paste. Lightly beaten egg and toddy are mixed in to form a pouring consistency batter, which is set aside to ferment and rise. The chitiaps are cooked on a greased tawa until light brown at the bottom, bubbly and set on top, flipped and cooked on the other side for few seconds. Toddy can be substituted with yeast. Chitiaps are equally spongy with yeast too. The East Indians prepare them with a combination of either rice flour and wheat flour or rice flour and maida, coconut milk, egg and yeast.
Chitiaps/Chittaps/Chitaps or Polle
(Yields 8)
Ingredients:
1 cup red parboiled rice
1/2 cup fresh grated coconut
2 tablespoons sugar
1 egg (lightly beaten)
100 ml toddy
oil for greasing
salt
Method:
Wash and soak rice overnight. Drain out the water. Grind rice with coconut, little water and salt to a fine paste.
Transfer ground paste into a bowl. Add egg, sugar and toddy to make a batter of pouring consistency. If required, you can add a dash of water. Mix well, cover, set aside to ferment and rise for 2 to 3 hours.
Heat a thick non-stick tawa and lightly grease with oil. Using a 1/2 measuring cup, stir batter and then pour to form a 6 to 7 inches polle. Cover and cook on medium heat for a minute or two. Quickly bubbles will start to appear on the surface. Once the top is set, flip polle and cook uncovered for few seconds on the other side. The bottom will be light brown and the top side off-white.
Serve hot with meat or vegetable gravy.
Note:
(Yields 8)
Ingredients:
1 cup red parboiled rice
1/2 cup fresh grated coconut
2 tablespoons sugar
1 egg (lightly beaten)
100 ml toddy
oil for greasing
salt
Method:
Wash and soak rice overnight. Drain out the water. Grind rice with coconut, little water and salt to a fine paste.
Transfer ground paste into a bowl. Add egg, sugar and toddy to make a batter of pouring consistency. If required, you can add a dash of water. Mix well, cover, set aside to ferment and rise for 2 to 3 hours.
Heat a thick non-stick tawa and lightly grease with oil. Using a 1/2 measuring cup, stir batter and then pour to form a 6 to 7 inches polle. Cover and cook on medium heat for a minute or two. Quickly bubbles will start to appear on the surface. Once the top is set, flip polle and cook uncovered for few seconds on the other side. The bottom will be light brown and the top side off-white.
Serve hot with meat or vegetable gravy.
Note:
- Toddy can be substituted with yeast. Stir 1/2 teaspoon yeast in 1 tablespoon lukewarm water and a pinch of sugar. Set aside to froth and foam and then mix into the batter.
- Addition of egg gives the polle a beautiful light brown colour on one side.
- Adjust sweetness and add sugar, as desired.
- For recipe on how to make toddy with tender coconut water, click here.