Magician Gopinath Muthukad, who has enchanted Keralites with his performances, is not immune to the magic of a delicious dish. Muthukad too is bewitched – by a special treat made by his mother.
In a recent video, Muthukad speaks about his love for the special ‘ilayada’ (steamed rice cakes) that his mother cooks.

“If you ask me about my favourite dish, then I wouldn’t think twice to say that it is the ‘ada’ that my mother makes. My father too had enjoyed this tasty dish. It’s been twenty-five years since I left the quaint countryside of Kavalamukkatta (in Malappuram district) for Thiruvananthapuram. Every time I visit my mother, I make sure to not miss her special ‘ada’,” says Muthukad.

Muthukad recalls watching his mother getting ready to prepare the ada with a bowl full of rice flour in one hand and water in other. The unique consistency of the dough is what gives the dish its perfect texture and taste. A ball of dough is placed on the plantain leaf and is spread using fingers. A delicious filling of grated coconut and jaggery is spread on these patties. The plantain leaf is then folded and is steamed or roasted.

“My mother would sit beside me, watching me eat the sweet treat. I have had ilayada from lots of places. But, none of them could match the incredible taste of the ada that my mother cooks. Not just coconut and jaggery, but my mother adds a bit of her love too as the filling. Then there are my father’s memories too. My mother would serve me her special ilayada and then start tearing up. When I ask her why she was crying, she would reply that she wishes to see me become like my father; because ilayada was my father’s favourite dish too,” says Muthukad.   

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