Yes, we are talking about laddus, the proper recipe of which has been in much demand, of late. Despite all the talk, it is not too difficult to make these at home by following a few easy steps. These make for excellent gifts during festival seasons, and otherwise, great desserts as well.
The history of laddus
Not a lot of people know about this, but the origin of laddus can be traced a long way back. They were used by erstwhile medical practitioners as a medium to administer medicines. The recipe has evolved over the years. Owing to the round shape of the sweet, consumption and figuring out the amount of dosage is a lot easier.
Down South in India, there was some form of this ubiquitous dish made out of coconut. It was believed to be a good omen for those setting out for a journey or a battle. It is a tradition that mothers make and pack some laduus with their kids when they go out for a journey or studies. Let’s see how to make them.
First, make the gram flour free from lumps, and then add cooking soda and water working it up to a batter. Make sure that the consistency is uniform. Now keep it aside.
Chop the mixed nuts, and cloves and saute them in a little bit of ghee. Keep them aside.
Now we have to make sugar syrup of one string consistency. Add sugar to the water, add cardamom powder and saffron, if you like it. Place the container on heat, and keep it there till the sugar gets dissolved. Once the sugar has dissolved, add some rose water, and take it to a boil till one string consistency is achieved. Keep the syrup aside.
Heat a good amount of oil in the pan. Take the batter in a perforated ladle, and shake it over the oil in the pan to get the boondis. Do this with the entire batter.
Take the boondis out of the oil when they are half done. Transfer them to a vessel. Mix the chopped nuts and clove in the boondi mixture. Add the sugar syrup, and use your palms to make the round sweets.
Serve it to friends and family
This is the classic recipe to make boondi laddus, each having 185 calories. However, there are different versions of laddus in India. Whatever ingredients you use, you have to make round balls in the end to give them the shape of a laddu.