Rava Laadu (Rava Laddoo, Suji ke ladoo, Sweet Semolina Balls)

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The best part when I go back home for vacations is I get to stay with my in-laws & my parents, more or less at the same time. They all live in the same city :)

Much before the Diwali holidays I had called my mother to tell her that I was craving for the lovely sweets like Karjikai (Gujia) & Rava Laadu (Rava Laddoo) that she prepares & so she suggested that I learn those this time over when I assist her.

Diwali was fun! Lots of preparations were done. Bought new clothes, lots of decorative, gifts, lights, some fire crackers, diyas, candles & many sweets.

That did not stop us from preparing sweets which is very interesting especially when done in groups.

So, Rava Laadu, Karjikai & Kai Murrkuu were made at home!

Rava Laadu is my all time favorite as it can be prepared instantly.

All you need is:

Rava/Semolina : 3 cups, Lightly roasted till light golden & powdered
Sugar - 3 cups, powdered
Cardamom powder - 1 tsp
Cloves - about 20, toasted in ghee for 20 secs
Dry fruits - Cashews, Raisins, Pistas, Almonds - break into smaller pieces & toast in ghee for 30 secs
Milk powder - One 50gms sachet
Milk - about half a cup or as much required for binding
Ghee - 4 tbsp

Method:
After you toast the rava till light golden or golden put it in a mixer to powder it. Keep aside.
Now, powder the sugar & put it over the semolina powder.
Add the cardamom powder, milk powder & the fried nuts along with all the ghee.
Mix together & just sprinkle milk as required. Do not pour the entire half cup of milk as it might not be required. Just keep sprinkling while mixing & add only if more is required. It will bind very well.
While you start shaping them into balls insert 1 clove into each laddoo.
You can keep some milk separately to use for binding while shaping the laddoo.
Adding milk softens the laddoo & keeps it soft for a longer time.

Note:
There are variants of this laddoo too
You may add coconut or add just the dry fruits you like
You may just add some clove powder instead of whole cloves
I chose to shape some laddoos without the cloves in them
Try to chew on the cloves & not discard them as they are very good for health

Happy Vishu with Raisin Paal Payasam (Kheer)

HAPPY VISHU, HAPPY BAISAKHI, HAPPY POILA BAISHAKH, TAMIL PUTHANDU VAZHTHIKAL TO ONE & ALL!!! :) :) :)

Friends, today in the midst of work & some more work I didnt really know what to prepare for this auspicious day.

I remember when at home with parents how my father would adorn the puja space of our home with lots of fresh beautiful fruits, vegetables, some oraments, silver coins & many many flowers. My mother would further beautify the space with her special kolams.

Appa would finish the decorations the previous night & my mother would draw the kolams in the morning. They would wake me up early in the morning, very unusual time for me. I would feel my father closing my eyes with his hand & holding me with the other leading me to the puja space. He would then ask me to open my eyes & look straight & heyy thatz me in the mirror reflection.

Yes! this is a tradition followed at my home & how much I miss to be with them today only I know. My heart beats faster thinking of the delicacies prepared today & all I could do today is write this quick post from work just in the middle of a coffee break. hmmmmmph!

Though I dont have much time in hand in the mornings on week days & with my husband travelling I am all the more demotivated to get up & cook, but I managed to prepare this Raisin Paal Payasam.

Sharing the recipe with you! Shall add the pic from home. Pic is now attached! :)

Look for:

• Milk - 1 ltr. (full cream)
• Rice - Qtr Cup
• Semiya/Sevaiyya/Thin vermicelli - Qtr Cup
• Sugar - As per taste
• Raisins - 2 tbsp
• Cardamom Powder - a pinch
• Rose essence - few drops

Method:
Quickly par boil the rice. I used the microwave & set it on full power (P100) for 7 mts.
Meanwhile, set the milk to boil & after some 10 mts add the sugar & cardamom powder to this along with the par boiled rice. let it cook for another 10 mts & add the vermicelli & raisins to this. Add the rose essence & simmer for 5 more mts & keep stirring. Remove from heat & empty in a serving bowl & garnish with some more raisins. This is a nutritious breakfast too! ;)


Note:

• If you do not want to mix the rice & vermicelli both then prepare separately in the same method
• Add some almonds & cashews if you wish  - I didnt want to add almonds as I munch some every day at work
• You may add some rose petals to this just before removing from heat & let it cool for a while so as to get the taste of the rose petals

Coconut Barfi - Happy New Year!!!

Wish you all a very happy & a prosperous new year! 
It's time to celebrate yet another beginning!! 
Kuch meetha ho jaye :)




Quick & Easy! Made very often at our place.

Ingredients:

• Milk - 1 ltr
• Grated Coconut - 2 cups
• Sugar - 1 cup
• Ghee - 1 tbsp
• Powdered Cardamom - 1/2 tsp
• Dry fruits - Optional

Method:
Take a pan & heat milk on medium flame. When it starts boiling add the grated coconut & lower the flame. Let it cook for sometime. You will see that boiling makes the milk thicker with layers of cream forming on top. Stir it once in a while to avoid settling of coconut at the bottom of the pan & getting burnt. Add sugar after 10 minutes.Keep stirring till the milk & coconut become thick & stick together. Now, add the powdered cardamom & the ghee.You can choose to add some chopped dry fruits to make it nutritious & rich.
When done pour it in a greased plate & you can cut them in the shape you desire. The most common shape is  of a diamond.

Note:

• The sugar can be put according to taste. 
• Many recipes will make you fry the grated coconut & add it to a sugar syrup & may be just  2-3 tbsps of milk only. But I stick to my mother's recipe given above.