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

100 followers & counting! :))))
Good reason to be all smiles..right!?

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

Flour Laddoos - Makai & Wheat

It is healthy & very very easy to make. It is made of Corn Flour not Corn Starch. Please do not use the corn flour which actually is the starch of the maize grain used to bind food products. Corn Flour is the powdered form of Corn.

Ingredients:

• Makai Atta (Corn Flour) - 3 cups
• Wheat Flour - 1.5 cup
• Jaggery - 250 gms
• Ghee - 2 tbsps
• Chopped Cashew Nuts - 1/3rd cup
• Chopped Almonds - 1/3rd cup
• Raisins - 1/3rd cup
• Powdered Cardamom - 1 tsp
• Ginger Powder (Saunth) - 1 tsp
• Cloves - 8 

Method:
Take a pan & pour 2 tsps ghee & fry the cashews, almonds, raisins & cloves. Take out & keep aside. Now, put the jaggery with some water & let it dissolve. Now, Add the corn flour, wheat flour & ghee & stir till the ingredients are completely mixed & becomes smooth. Add the powdered cardamom, ginger powder & the fried dryfruits & cloves. Mix well. Put off the flame. Before it cools take small quantity & make round shaped laddoos with the help of your hand. If required you can grease your hand with some ghee to help you get perfect round shapes. Cool & keep in air tight containers. It can be stored for a few days.

Note:
1. You can increase or decrease the amount of dry fruits according to your liking
2. The same can be made with only wheat flour
3. It's a quick snack