14th January means Makar Sankranti, time to make Til ladoos. Here is a simple and quick traditional recipe.
1. Roast 1 cup til or sesame seeds in a flat pan on low heat. Keep aside
2. Next roast groundnuts 1/2 or 1/4 cup as per your nut preference (optional: after roasting you can crush or coarsely ground them.)
3. Mix roasted sesame seeds and groundnuts in a bowl, add 1/2 tsp cardamon powder.
4. Then in a pan add 1 cup jaggery (its got to be that sticky jaggery or chikki jaggery) . Let it melt on low heat, add 1 tbspn of ghee (optional: butter or groundnut oil). To test if the syrup is ready, add one or two drops of melted syrup to a bowl of water . Drops/strings will solidify and form a lump. Drop that lump back in water and see if it makes a sound. If it does, then the syrup is ready. If no sound, then continue stirring the mixture on low heat. And keep testing till the syrup is ready.
5. Once the syrup is ready remove the pan from heat and add the above mixture of sesame seeds and groundnuts. (add mixture in small proportions according to the syrup quantity.)
6. Grease your palms with ghee and while the mixture is still lukewarm, take a small lump between your palms and roll it into a small ball. Keep it on a greased plate. Repeat, till the mixture is used up.
7. Lay all balls on a greased plate. Let them cool and get a candy-like texture. Til ladoos or sesame balls are ready to eat.
8. Store them in an air tight container.
Tip: Apply little ghee or butter on your palms while rolling ladoos, don't get burnt.
Recipe: Vegetarian
Preparation time : 20 mins
Cooking time : 30 mins
Serves : 3-4
Contains nuts
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Please use this recipe as a guideline and use your discretion to make the recipe or to make a substitution in the recipe. As results vary according to one's skills.
