Microwave Besan laddoo

There’s a saying in Malayalam-Muttathe mullayku manamilla which translates to mean,we don’t value the stuff which is readily available to us.Only when we don’t get it do we realize how important they were.I can so identify with that saying.Each and everything which I didn’t want to have or didn’t like,I yearn to have now.

One among many such things is a simple besan laddoo.It was not a grand one compared to its pretty cousin Motichoor laddoo,but still it has its place among the sweets that we or rather my amma,frequently used to make.Besan laddoo was lovingly called Kongini[the way Konkani is pronounced in Malayalam] laddoo by my friends.Come any festival,any occasion,all that they would ask me to bring was kongini laddoo.My aunt even took offense to it saying they should call it by its name and not this odd name:).

I of course,never even tried to recreate it myself.One-the effort involved,the besan needed to be roasted on low flame under constant supervision,two-my hubby doesn’t fancy sweets much so I’ll end up finishing the whole batch and three-the most important-fear of failure.But I saw many recipes doing the rounds of blogosphere where these laddoos could be made in Microwave.Wait a minute-did you say Microwave..??:)

I tried it out and needless to say it came out excellent.Ok,let me be honest here-it can’t be compared to its original version but it is a great alternative for lazy bums like me:).Pardon the not-so-round shape,it'll take me eons to make perfect round laddoos;)

Microwave Besan Laddoo

Recipe adapted from Tarla Dalal's Book-Indian Microwave Cooking

Ingredients

Bengal gram flour/Besan – 1 cup
Ghee – ½ cup
Powdered sugar – ¾ cup
Cardamom/Elaichi powder – ½ teaspoon
Nuts roasted in ghee – a handful

Method

In a microwave safe bowl,add besan and ghee and mix well.
Microwave on high for 3 minutes,stirring after every 1 minute.
Mix well and microwave again for 2 minutes in 30 second intervals.
Remove and let the mixture cool completely.
Add the cardamom powder and sugar and mix well.
Add the roasted nuts and divide into 8 equal portions.
Grease your palm and shape into laddoos.