Monday, March 5, 2012

Boondi Laddu



I thought I would celebrate my completing six months of food blogging by reposting the boondi laddu recipe. Boondi laddu is my all-time favourite sweet. This recipe was one of my earliest posts and the previous picture made no justice to this delectable sweet, which is why I'm reposting this recipe with new pictures.    


Before I move on to the recipe, I also want to thank Nupur at UKRasoi, Maha of MahasLovelyHome and Taruna of Easyfoodsmith for the wonderful awards that they have passed on to me. Thank you all for your encouragement and support. I can't explain how exciting, rewarding and fulfilling food blogging has been to me. I have met some wonderful people through this network, tried some awesome recipes that I never thought I would make and have the whole time enjoyed each and every minute of this experience. It's been rewarding on so many different levels. Thank you all for visiting my blog and for taking your time to leave your valuable comments. It makes the blog feel more alive and the blogging more enjoyable. Without your comments I would feel as if I was rambling to myself. :)
Boondi laddus are a traditional Indian sweet. Besan/gram/chickpea flour (I have no idea why it's called chickpea flour when it is made of yellow lentils) is mixed with water and then sieved through a boondi (puffed chickpea droplets) skillet/strainer into hot oil. The small yellow droplets are then soaked in warm syrup. Lastly, nuts and raisins are added along with powdered cardamom for aroma. The warm mixture is then formed into round balls and allowed to stiffen before consumption. It's a popular festive sweet and a treat to anyone with a sweet tooth. It's so delectable and addictive to sink your teeth into the crispy boondis and nuts while the crystallized sugar melts in your mouth.


Batter:
1 cup of chickpea flour (chana dal)
½ cup + cirka 2 tbs water

 Syrup:
3/4 cup of water
3/4 cup of caster sugar
1 tsp cardamom powder
2 tbs nuts cashew nuts (optional)
1 tbs golden raisins (optional)

Method:
To make the syrup, boil water and the sugar in a fairly large cooking pot (big enough to accommodate  the boondi later). Boil the sugar and water at medium heat for appr. 15 minutes till it has thickened (and reached 1 thread consistency). Once it has reached that stage, allow the syrup to simmer on low heat.

While the sugar and water is boiled into syrup, prepare the batter by sieving the flour and then add the cold water and mix until free of lumps. Check if the batter is the right consistency by pouring some on a boondi skillet. The batter should drop down through the holes. If it doesn't you need to add some more water, 1/2 to 1 tbs. Don't add too much water because then you'll get boondi with long trails that look messy.  

Heat oil in a wide pan. Take a batch of the batter and pour it over a sieve with round holes. Fry till they get light yellow and not too crispy and golden. There is also a risk of the syrup reducing too much if you take too much time frying the boondis, so fry them gently. Once, fried, pour the boondi into the syrup that is on a simmer. Repeat this process until you've finished the batter. Add lightly dry-roasted nuts and the cardamom powder and mix well. Wait for a couple of minutes so that the boondi has absorbed all the syrup and then place it on a plate. Allow to cool for 5 minutes or so. Take some of the boondi and work into round balls with your hands while it is still warm. Let it rest for some time if it is too hot for you to handle but don't let it cool down completely, because the syrup will crystallize and you wont be able to make laddus after that stage. Place the laddus on a lightly oiled tray and allow to stiffen. Best of luck! 

29 comments:

Sangeetha M said...

Congrats Rathai on completing g months of successful Blogging, Wish U many many more year...sure this boondhi laddo a special treat to celeb the occasion...Boondhi Laddo is my fav too...looks more tempting!
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Kanan said...

WOW. YOUR EVERY LADDO IS SAME SIZE. PICTURES ARE SO BEAUTIFUL WITH ROSE PETALS.

Mahi said...

My all time favorite sweet Rathai! Looks yummy! Congrats on your milestone...wish you many more happy months&years in blogging! :)

Btw,I could not locate your earlier post on laddu..just curious! ;)

Rathai's recipe said...

Thank you guys for your sweet notes and wishes. :)

Mahi: I deleted the old picture (you would have ran away in horror if you had seen that picture!) and edited the content of the post and republished it.

Kai ruchi said...

Congratulations on the award and completion of six months of blogging! Awesome boondhi ladoos, You reminded me of south Indian weddings which never get completed without having these in the food menu.

Vimitha Durai said...

Congrats Rathai... That laddoo looks so delicious and is a perfect way for celebration...

Anzz said...

My all time favorite Indian sweet. I have the boondhi ladle here but never got around to making it. Thanx for sharing and congrats on your milestone dear..!

Deeps @ Naughty Curry said...

congrats on completing 6 months! what a delecious way to celebrate the occasion, i love boondi laddu too never made it coz i always thought making boondi from scratch is diffcult, never knew it could be this easy, thanks for the recipe :)

Rathai's recipe said...

Thank you guys for your valuable comments. :)

Deeps: The difficult part of making boondi laddu is to shape the balls, as you'll have to do this while it is still warm and if the mixture cools down too much, the mixture will crystallize because of the syrup. After a couple of failed attempts earlier, I am now able to make them into round balls. :) Do give it a try, you wont regret it. :)

Ramya said...

wow..perfect laddoos...i want one..

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

Happy 6 month anniversary to your lovely blog!! And these sweets look like a delicious way to celebrate...your photos are gorgeous!

Marta said...

They should make a special culinary chapter for a round food. And this recipe would find a place over there.

Rathai's recipe said...

Lizzy & Marta,

Thanks a bunch for your appreciation. :)

Asiya Omar said...

Thanks Radhai for visiting my blog and for the valuable comments.Your blog looks amazing with wonderful recipes.

Sobha Shyam said...

perfect n yummy laddus, fabulous clicks..Thanx a lot for linking it to my event :)

Join the Just "4" Fun event :)

Nami | Just One Cookbook said...

Hi Rathai! Congrats on 6 month blogging! This is my first time coming here and looks like you have lots of delicious recipes on your site! I was surprised Laddo has very simple ingredients. You are very neat rolling them so perfectly! Thank you for sharing this recipe - it's new to me!

Kalyan said...

just mouthwatering...looks so easy to prepare and delicious!

Pari Vasisht said...

Hi Rathai, First time here, the laddoos look very well made and of the same size. Making perfect boondi itself is an art and you seem to have mastered it. Drop by when time permits.


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Rathai's recipe said...

Thank you, one and all, for your comments.

Amila said...

Laddu looks delicious!!& congrats for celebrating 6th month in the blogging journey!!I am going to be 1 year now....Blog has made me happy & busy during this 1 year,hope it is same with you...

Only Fish Recipes said...

wow...what delicious laddoos dear...great presentation n wonderful clicks :-)

Only Fish Recipes said...

theres an award for u in my space dear...plz accept :-)

Rathai's recipe said...

Sonali, thanks a bunch for the award deare. :)

Thank you all for visiting and leaving your valuable comments. Means a lot to me. :)

indugetscooking said...

I thought this would have lots of coffee in it when I saw the title, but I am glad there is just a hint.

Love the chocolaty look f it.

Nami | Just One Cookbook said...

Hi Rathai! When I first visited your blog last week, I didn't realize that your blog was only 6 month old! Congratulation on the 6th month. Your one year anniv will come sooner than you think! :-) I think I've tried this sweet before at my friend's house. They look so cute all lining up. I have a weakness for small round sweets (like truffles!). Very lovely presentation too! Have a great weekend!

Rathai's recipe said...

Indu,

I didn't realize your comment on the Mocha cake was written here. :) There is cocoa powder included in the frosting as well and the 0.5 to 1 tsp of coffee makes all the difference. It really intensifies and brings out the flavour.

Nami,

Thank you, Nami. :)

Amy's piece of cake said...

This is looks so good. Boondi is yummie! Congratulations!

Rathai's recipe said...

Thank you, Amy, for dropping by to wish. :)

Kalyani said...

Congrats rathai ... Laddo looks perfect & delicious ...