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

Adai - Karthigai Poornima

I am back from my vacation so its time for me share with you all my pending recipes for 

Karthigai Poornima.

ADAI - Is a salty pancake similar to dosa. 

Ingredients:

• Rice - 2 cups
• Arhar Dal - 1 cup
• Black Urad Dal - .5 cup
• Dried Whole Red Chillies - 4
• Green Chillies - 4
• Asafoetida (Hing) - 1 pinch
• Curry Leaves - Few 
• Black Peppercorns - 5
• Salt - As per taste

Method:
Soak the rice, arhar dal & urad dal for 3 -4 hours. Now Grind them in a mixer/grinder along with all the other ingredients till the consistency of the paste becomes a little coarse. When I say little kindly ensure that it is only little coarse rest batter should be smooth enough to make the pancakes. You can check it by taking a small dab between your fingers & rubbing it. Don't worry if the paste comes fine as the adai can still be made.
Now, either you can start preparing it now or else wait for a few hours for the batter to ferment & then start preparing them.
It is to be made similar to dosa on the hot griddle while brushing it with some oil so it cooks well & comes off easily if not using a non stick pan.

Variations:

• You can use white urad dal instead of the black ones too
• I have tried mixing both black & white together also & even that tastes great

Note:

• Adai can be eaten as a snack or even for breakfast
• It is high in protein as we use lentils in it
• It can be served with Jaggery pieces, tomato sauce or any sweet & tangy chutney
• You can add chopped onions to the batter also
  

Karthigai Poornima

I have been enjoying a month long vacation back home so did not find time to post much. Though late at posting this pic too but I want to do it before someone calls me for supper :) I will post recipes of all the delicacies I enjoyed during Kathigai Poornima after I am done with my vacation. 

Catch you guys soon again.


Sharing the clicks but would give out the recipes later.
We made Adai, Pori & Neyyappam!