Besan Laddu

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Laddu is a very popular Indian sweet. The word literally means ‘ball’ so anything sweet and balled up is a Laddu. You can make Laddus out of almost any flour, puffed rice or other puffed grains, seeds such as sesame or any combination of nuts and coconut. The basic ingredients are the same-butter/ghee and sugar but everything else is up to your imagination. In the winter time, my mother made wheat flour Laddus with almonds, powdered ginger, nutmeg, poppy seeds, ghee and brown sugar (Yum!). Moong Flour Laddu and Mixed Nut Laddu are my other favorites. Traditionally, flour is slowly roasted in ghee over the stove, which is tedious. I use the microwave oven to roast flour, making it a lot easier and predictable. Try it and you will be amazed how easy it is.

yield:

20 Laddus

ingredients:
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 cup regular besan
1/4 cup laddu besan
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup crushed, toasted almonds
1/2 tsp. cardamom powder
a pinch of salt

preparation:

  • Melt butter in a microwave-proof bowl on high power for 2 minutes, covering the bowl partially to keep butter from spattering while letting the steam escape.
  • Add besan, mix well and microwave for 2 minutes.
  • Stir, microwave one more minute. If besan is not brown and fragrant, cook for another minute.
  • Add almonds, sugar and cardamom, mix well.
  • When besan mix is cool enough to handle without getting burnt but not too cold or the butter will harden, shape into one inch diameter Laddus. (If mixture gets too cold and hardens, warm it in the microwave for a minute or two).
  • Cool completely until Laddus harden. Enjoy!

Copyright © Rashmi Rustagi 2012. All Rights Reserved.

 


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