Microwave Besan Laddoos...Happy Diwali and second chances!

Microwave Besan Laddoos…I made it!! My first ever festival post on the blog and my first ever laddoos…and with that wish you and yours a very Happy Diwali...may you shine and sparkle this festive season and always…I had to do a quick version as knowing me you know I couldn’t stand over the stove forever roasting the flour…I read up on a few microwave recipes and then tried the recipe from a very famous site but alas the proportions didn’t work and the laddoos just wouldn’t stay in shape…changed the proportions and here is my version below…if you try them, I promise you will end up with laddoos and not pedas…and if you don’t...a plate of laddoos from me J

Microwave Besan Laddoos

Ingredients:

• Besan/Gram flour/Chickpea flour, 1 cup (the packet besan that I used to get back home and even here is a “fine” one and not “grainy” which is popular in a few regions in India)
• Suji/Semolina, ¼ cup
• Desi Ghee/Clarified butter, melted and then measured, 1/3 cup
• Granulated Sugar, 1/3 cup
• Green Cardamoms, 3

Instructions:

Put the sugar in the dry grinder/mixer with green cardamoms and ground it to a powder. Keep aside.

Mix besan and suji in a microwavable tray/plate.  Add ghee to it and mix well with a spoon.

Now microwave the mix for 4 minutes. Stirring and mixing well every one minute.

The timing will differ according to your microwave – I have a smaller microwave here so mine got done in 6 minutes, the recipes I have seen on the internet vary the time from 3 to 5 minutes. I would suggest checking and stirring every 30 seconds after the mandatory 4 minutes.

You will know when it is done when the mix changes colour from yellow to pale golden brown and the aroma of the roasted besan fills your kitchen J

Remove and let the mix cool completely (remember cool and not cold!! Or else you will not be able to bind. If the mix gets too cold and starts to solidify a little, microwave for 5-10 seconds but do this before adding the sugar and not after). Once done, add in the sugar and mix well.

Divide the mix into 8 portions. Shape each portion into a round ball by firmly binding the portion in the palm of your hand and then rolling between your palms.

You can garnish the laddoos with almonds, pistachios, cashews or raisins or let them be as is.

Let the laddoos rest on a lightly greased plate for about half an hour and then are ready to serve