Authentic Rice Flour Ellu Bella Recipe – Sesame Poppy Seed Sweet

Last Updated on 3 months by Neha Deshmukh

Authentic Rice Flour Ellu Bella Recipe – Sesame Poppy Seed Sweet

Hey everyone! If you’ve ever celebrated Makar Sankranti or Pongal, chances are you’ve tasted the delightful crunch of Ellu Bella. It’s a traditional Karnataka sweet, and honestly, it’s one of my absolute favorites. I remember helping my grandmother make this as a kid, and the aroma of roasting sesame seeds still takes me right back to her kitchen. Today, I’m sharing my family’s recipe with you – a little piece of tradition I hope you’ll love as much as we do!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ellu Bella isn’t just delicious; it’s packed with goodness! Sesame seeds and poppy seeds are nutritional powerhouses, and the jaggery adds a natural sweetness. Plus, it’s relatively easy to make (though it does require a little patience!). It’s the perfect sweet treat to enjoy during festivals, or honestly, any time you’re craving something a little special.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this authentic Ellu Bella:

• 1 cup rice (raw/sona masuri) – about 180g
• 1 tsp sesame seeds – about 5g
• 1 tsp poppy seeds – about 5g
• ¾ – 1 cup jaggery – about 150-200g (adjust to your sweetness preference)
• ½ cup water – about 120ml
• ½ tsp cardamom powder – about 2g
• ¼ tsp pepper (crushed) – about 1g
• Oil/ghee for deep frying

Ingredient Notes

Let’s talk ingredients! Getting these right makes all the difference.

Rice (Sona Masuri) – Regional Variations & Quality

Sona Masuri is the traditional choice for Ellu Bella in Karnataka. It’s a short-grain rice that gives the sweet its lovely texture. You can find it at most Indian grocery stores. Other short-grain rice varieties can work in a pinch, but Sona Masuri really is best.

Jaggery – Types & Impact on Flavor

Jaggery is unrefined sugar, and it comes in different colors and flavors depending on the sugarcane used. I prefer using a dark jaggery for a richer, more complex flavor. You can use either solid jaggery (which you’ll need to grate) or jaggery powder.

Sesame Seeds – Black vs. White, Roasting Importance

You can use either black or white sesame seeds. Black sesame seeds have a slightly nuttier flavor, while white sesame seeds are milder. Roasting them is crucial – it brings out their aroma and adds a lovely depth of flavor. Don’t skip this step!

Poppy Seeds – Sourcing & Flavor Profile

Poppy seeds have a subtle, nutty flavor that complements the sesame seeds beautifully. Make sure you get good quality poppy seeds, as they can sometimes taste a little stale.

Cardamom – Freshly Ground vs. Store-Bought

Freshly ground cardamom is always best! The aroma is so much more vibrant. If you’re using store-bought cardamom powder, make sure it’s relatively fresh.

Black Pepper – Regional Preferences & Heat Level

A little black pepper adds a lovely warmth to Ellu Bella. Some families prefer a lot, others just a pinch. Adjust to your liking!

Oil/Ghee – Choosing Between Oil & Ghee for Authentic Flavor

Traditionally, Ellu Bella is deep-fried in ghee (clarified butter). Ghee imparts a wonderful flavor, but you can use oil (like vegetable or sunflower oil) if you prefer. Ghee will give a more authentic taste, though!

Step-By-Step Instructions

Alright, let’s get cooking!

1. Soak the Rice: Start by soaking the rice in water for about 4 hours. This softens it for grinding.
2. Dry & Grind: Drain the rice and spread it on a clean cloth for about 30 minutes to dry slightly – you want it still a little moist. Then, blend the rice into a fine powder. Sieve it to remove any remaining grains.
3. Roast the Seeds: In a dry pan, dry roast the sesame and poppy seeds over medium heat until they become fragrant and slightly golden. Be careful not to burn them!
4. Make the Jaggery Syrup: In a separate pan, melt the jaggery in water over medium heat. Bring to a boil and cook for about 5-7 minutes, until it reaches a soft-ball consistency. (Drop a tiny bit into cold water – it should form a soft ball).
5. Combine & Mix: Add the rice flour, roasted sesame seeds, roasted poppy seeds, cardamom powder, and crushed pepper to the jaggery syrup. Mix well until everything is thoroughly combined. This will be a sticky dough.
6. Rest the Dough: This is important! Cover the dough and let it rest for at least 12 hours. This allows the flavors to meld and the dough to come together.
7. Shape & Fry: After resting, the dough might be a little sticky or dry. Adjust the consistency (see “Expert Tips” below). Grease a piece of butter paper. Take small portions of the dough and flatten them into discs. Gently peel the discs off the butter paper.
8. Deep Fry: Heat oil or ghee in a deep frying pan over medium heat. Carefully drop the Ellu Bella discs into the hot oil/ghee and fry until golden brown, flipping occasionally. Use a slotted spoon to splash the hot oil over the Ellu Bella while frying – this helps it cook evenly and puff up.
9. Drain & Store: Remove the fried Ellu Bella and drain on paper towels. Once cooled, store in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh for up to 2 weeks!

Expert Tips

A few things I’ve learned over the years…

Achieving the Right Dough Consistency

The dough consistency is key. If it’s too dry, add a little mashed banana (about 1-2 tsp at a time). If it’s too watery, add a little rice flour (about 1 tsp at a time).

Roasting Seeds to Perfection

Keep a close eye on the seeds while roasting! They burn easily. Stir constantly and remove from heat as soon as they become fragrant.

Frying Techniques for Even Cooking

Splashing the hot oil over the Ellu Bella while frying is a game-changer. It helps it cook evenly and become nice and crispy.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

My Ellu Bella is too hard. You likely overcooked it. Reduce the frying time next time.

My Ellu Bella is not crispy. The oil wasn’t hot enough, or you didn’t splash enough oil over it while frying.

The dough is too sticky. Let it rest longer, or add a little more rice flour.

Variations

Want to switch things up? Here are a few ideas:

Vegan Ellu Bella: Simply use oil instead of ghee for frying.

Gluten-Free Ellu Bella (Naturally Gluten-Free): This recipe is naturally gluten-free! Just double-check that your ingredients are certified gluten-free if you have a severe allergy.

Spice Level Adjustment – Increasing Pepper: My friend, Priya, loves a really spicy Ellu Bella. She adds up to ½ tsp of black pepper!

Festival Adaptations – Makar Sankranti & Pongal Special: Some families add a pinch of turmeric powder for color during Makar Sankranti or Pongal.

Serving Suggestions

Ellu Bella is delicious on its own, but it’s also lovely with a cup of chai or coffee. It’s a traditional offering during Makar Sankranti and Pongal, often mixed with peanuts, dry fruits, and popcorn.

Storage Instructions

Store Ellu Bella in an airtight container at room temperature. It will stay fresh for up to 2 weeks.

FAQs

What type of rice is best for Ellu Bella?

Sona Masuri rice is the traditional choice, but other short-grain rice varieties can work.

Can I use powdered sugar instead of jaggery?

While you can use powdered sugar, it won’t have the same depth of flavor as jaggery. Jaggery is what gives Ellu Bella its unique taste.

How do I know when the jaggery syrup has reached the correct consistency?

Drop a tiny bit of the syrup into cold water. It should form a soft ball.

My dough is too dry, what should I do?

Add a little mashed banana, 1 teaspoon at a time, until the dough comes together.

Can I make Ellu Bella ahead of time and freeze it?

You can freeze the shaped, unfried Ellu Bella discs. Fry them straight from frozen when you’re ready to serve.

What is the shelf life of Ellu Bella?

Ellu Bella will stay fresh for up to 2 weeks when stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

Why is banana used in this recipe?

Banana acts as a natural binder and adds moisture to the dough if it’s too dry. It also adds a subtle sweetness!

Enjoy making this delicious and traditional sweet! I hope it brings a little bit of Karnataka sunshine into your kitchen. Let me know how it turns out in the comments below!