Diwali Treats - Besan Recipe - a sweet nutty indian fudge

Besan Ladoo in Kenya

Happy Diwali to all those who are celebrating this year, it is a wonderful time of year and aside from the religious part it marks the start of the festive times and cold winter evenings. 

The below recipe has been very kindly been given to me by one of my aunties who made the delicious besan ladoo pictured above, you can also make this into bite size piece by cutting from a tray as below. It is the perfect time of year to hibernate, add on the calories and share sweets with friends and family so please enjoy making these delicious nutty fudge tasting treats. 

Tray of freshly cooked Besan

BESAN 

2 bowls heaped -------gram flour 

2 bowls level -----------------sugar (white)

1 bowl--------------------------water (to make syrup)

½ tea spoon -------------------yellow food colouring (optional)

250gms -------------------------butter

Extra ghee if necessary

½ Cup ---------------------------Milk Powder

¼ bowl --------------------------Almonds (finely grated/chopped)

¼ bowl --------------------------Pistachio nuts (finely grated/chopped)

1 bowl ---------------------------lightly toasted sesame seeds (optional)

2 tb sps --------------------------dessicated coconut (optional)

• Grease a shallow thali or baking tray with ghee and leave aside
• Chop all the nuts very finely
• Make syrup with the sugar and water between 1 – 1 ½   strings and leave aside 
• Add butter to a wide karahi and melt gently.
• Add besan and cook on low heat (add extra ghee if too dry) until cooked (the besan should have become slightly brown and should smell cooked) 
• Add colour to the syrup and a few laichi seeds.
• Once the besan has cooked turn off the heat and mix in the milk powder, allow to cool slightly.
• Then add the sugar syrup to besan and mix thoroughly well.
• Pour into a greased thali and level off.
• Sprinkle the chopped nuts/seeds on the besan and press very lightly so that the nuts stick to the besan well.
• Allow to set and cool. 
• Cut into small pieces.
• If making into ladoo after the mixture has cooled roll into balls and coat in the toasted sesame seeds

Mini Ladoos made by Mum for my baby shower

Gulab Jamuns - deep fried milk doughnuts soaked in sugar syrup