Happy Ganesh Chaturthi: Besan Laddu for our Ganesha

Ganpati Bappa Moriya!!!! Pudhchya varshi laukar ya!!!
Happy Ganeshotsav to everyone!!!!

Ganesh Chaturthi, the birthday of Lord Ganesh (Ganesha), the god of wisdom and prosperity was celebrated with full pomp and splendour across the country yesterday. As I walked down the street to our market place to pick up flowers and fruits for our Ganesha, the elaborate arrangements with lot of glamour, lighting, decoration made for Ganesha statues installed in street corners and the sight of people flocking in huge numbers to pay due love and respect to the Lord invoked that feeling of unity and revived spirit and faith in Ganesha.

History has it that that Ganesha loved sweets and had his weakness for modaks that he simply could not stop himself from eating them. Undoubtedly, on this day most homes make variety of sweets including the coveted modaks and laddus to please Ganesha. Unlike some of the other Indian festivals, Ganesha’s birthday is indeed an occasion for feasting and not for fasting.

I have been busy on my toes a week ahead of the festival to make sweets and savouries for my Ganesha too. Apart from the regulars of Modak, Nippattus, this year saw me making some delicious Besan Laddu and Kai Holige. While the tedious and daring first attempt at Kai Holige for me was not so easy, making the Besan Laddu was a breeze.

I would probably have this recipe posted yesterday, but then I badly wanted to stay away from being hooked to the system, internet and blogging. It's the quality time to be spent with my family and friends that mattered the most. Blogging can wait yet another day.

Besan Laddu

INGREDIENTS

1 cup besan (Bengal gram flour)
1 tsp. rava / semolina (optional)
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/3 cup ghee
1/4 tsp cardamom (elaichi) powder
Fistful of chopped cashewnuts and raisins

DIRECTIONS

Melt the ghee in a kadhai, add the gram flour, semolina along with chopped cashewnuts and cook over a low flame stirring continuously till it is golden brown in colour. Turn off the flame and add the sugar, the cardamom powder and raisins to the roasted gram flour and mix well. Allow to cool slightly. While still warm, divide the mixture to roughly equal portions and shape into laddus. Allow to cool completely and store in air-tight containers. These stay well for couple of weeks, but I can't promise if your family will let you keep them so long!

Ganesh Chaturthi is a special occasion and so should be Ganesh Chaturthi recipes. Bring good luck and prosperity home this festival and celebrate the occasion with your family and friends. May ganesh bring you and your family tots of good luck and happiness.