Palmyra cake baked over a wood fire

Directions

1. Following the traditional method, combine in a large bowl the boiled palm sugar juice, rice flour, jaggery, fennel seeds, bicarbonate of soda, and salt. ⏱ ≈ 10 min
2. If the mixture seems too stiff, keep some warm water nearby and add it gradually to make it more pliable. ≈ 3 min
3. In a large cast-iron skillet, place two layers of banana leaves, then pour the batter over them. ⏱ ≈ 7 min
4. Cover the dough with two more layers of banana leaves. ≈ 3 min
5. Light a wood fire under the frying pan, then place dried twigs on top, gradually adding more as they burn down. ⏱ ≈ 7 min
6. Bake slowly, keeping an eye on it: the cake will release a pleasant aroma as it cooks. ⏱ ≈ 35 min
7. When the scent is pleasant, reduce the heat. ⏱ ≈ 10 min
8. It is usually cooked overnight so that it can be cut and eaten the following morning. ⏱ 8 hr
9. Urban version: Prepare the dough in the same way, pour it into a cake pan, and bake in the microwave. ≈ 3 min