Coconut filling for Pancakes | How to grate a coconut

The coconut filling is what we use for our pancakes here in India. Unlike the pancakes in the West, these pancakes are thin crepes made with all-purpose flour or Maida.

The Pancakes are sweet and usually have a filling of coconut and sugar or coconut and jaggery. We flavour these fillings with either essence like rose or vanilla or a dash of cardamom powder. These coconut fillings also make good stuffing for sweets like Modaks (sweet dumplings), Nevries (sweet puffs), Patolis, etc.

You could also add some nuts like cashew nuts or almonds to make it a little richer. Some also add mawa to this filling making it more delectable.

In today’s post let’s make two types of coconut filling for pancakes, one with sugar and the other with jaggery. You could use either of them to make your filling for pancakes.

How to make Coconut Filling for Pancakes

First, let’s make Coconut filling for Pancakes using sugar. This filling is quick to make with just sugar, some nuts, and essence.

• To make coconut filling using sugar, grate one whole coconut discarding the brown portion.

• Gratings from one whole coconut would be approximately 1.5 cups to 2 cups, depending on the size of the coconut.

• Into 02 cups of grated coconut add 3/4 cup of powdered sugar in a pan. I prefer to add powdered sugar to save time. You could also increase or decrease the quantity of sugar as desired.

• Place this pan on medium to low heat and stir well. The powdered sugar will melt further and the mixture will slightly liquidize. Continue to stir till the moisture completely evaporates.

• Once the mixture almost dries, add in a teaspoon of rose or vanilla essence. To give it a traditional flavour add a dash of cardamom powder.

• Next, add a few drops of food colour or your choice. Mix well and then switch off the flame. Transfer this mixture into a bowl and once cool, it is ready to use as your stuffing.

• For coconut filling with jaggery. Take 2 cups of grated coconut and add 1/2 cup of grated jaggery.

• Combine well and place this mixture on low heat. You will need to keep stirring till the jaggery melts and the mixture dries up.

• Then add some nuts, as desired, and flavour it with 1/2 a teaspoon of cardamom powder. Cardamom powder adds an awesome flavour to the coconut filling, keeping it traditional at the same time.

How to grate a coconut

As we are here, let us also know how to grate a coconut easily at home. Coconuts are an integral part of Indian cuisine, especially along the coastal regions. We use it for almost all our recipes be it vegetarian dishes or non-vegetarian recipes.

Coconuts are considered auspicious and we use them in many religious rituals and also for making sweets during festivals.

Grating a coconut becomes a time-consuming affair and some also find this extremely tedious.

The traditional method to grate a coconut is by using the traditional grater and one has to squat down on the floor to use it. This becomes difficult, especially with the seniors

Next came the grater which is clamped to a tabletop and rotated by hand. This type of grater though convenient is also time-consuming.

The method that I prefer is to grate coconut in a blender, which is not only quick but convenient too.

To grate coconut in a blender, first, break the coconut into two with the help of a heavy knife. Then keep this coconut in the refrigerator overnight or at least for 3 to 4 hours.

You can then easily release the coconut from its shell with the help of a kitchen knife. You may also like to peel off the brown portion with the help of a peeler or a knife to get beautiful white coconut gratings.

Cut this coconut into small pieces and then put them into a blender jar. Pulse the blender a couple of times to break the pieces further into small bits and then blend it for 2 to 3 seconds only at a medium speed.

You can store this grated coconut into an air-tight container and place it in the freezer section of your refrigerator. This grated coconut stays white and fresh for almost 15 to 20 days or even more. To use the coconut just remove the container from the freezer 15 to 20 minutes before use.

Of course, there is a difference between traditional coconut grating and grating coconut in a blender. But considering the paucity of time and the convenience involved, grating coconut in a blender is also just fine.

Pancakes with coconut filling

You may also like to try some recipes using coconut

East Indian Pancake Recipe

Beans Foogath – Easy to make Recipe with French Beans

Drumstick Foogath

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