Motichoor Laddoo

Motichoor laddoo is a favourite sweet for many. Unlike the south indian laddoo... this has a slightly different texture and feel to it that makes it very special. Try this recipe.

Preparation Time : 20 minutes
Cooking Time : 45 minutes
Makes : 10 laddoos

Ingredients

Besan / Kadalai Mavu - 3/4 cup
Chiroti Rava / Sooji - 3/4 tbsp
Soda - a pinch
Sugar - 1/2 + 1/8th cup
Orange Colour / Saffron soaked in 1/2 tbsp warm water - 2 drops
Saffron - a few strands
Cardamom Powder - a pinch
Panneer / Rose water - 1/2 tsp
Sliced almonds - 1/4 tbsp

Procedure

1. Mix together the besan, rava, soda, colour and add water little at a time to form a batter similar to dosa batter.
2. In a kadai, add sugar and water(3/4th cup) and stir till sugar dissolves. Thereafter let it boil till it reaches a one string consistency.
3. Add the orange colour / saffron water(a few drops), cardamom powder.
4. Meanwhile heat oil in a kadai.
5. To test if the batter consistency is correct, use the spoon back to drop a bit of the batter into hot oil, if it is round, consistency is correct, if it forms a tail, add a little more water 1 tbsp at a time and test again. If the round balls are too thin, you might need to add a little more besan to increase the thickness of the  ball. Add 1 tbsp at a time.
6. When the batter is ready, take two perforated ladles. One for making the boondis, one for taking out the fried boondis.
7. Pour a ladle of batter over the perforated ladle holding the perforated ladle over the kadai of oil. Let the boondis fall into the oil.
8. When the boondis are half fried(i.e.,cooked but not crisp), take them out using the second perforated ladle and transfer to a tissue paper.
9. Wipe the first perforated ladle and repeat making the boodis for the remaining batter. Wipe the ladle each time, so that the holes are not blocked and the boondis fall well each time.
10.  Heat the sugar syrup till it becomes slightly warm. Transfer the boondis to the sugar syrup.
11. Mix well. Boil 1 tbsp water,  add it to the boondi mixture and pulse once in a mixer.
12. Transfer the pulsed boondi mixture to a bowl, add the rose water and almonds and mix well.
13. Form laddoos and get set to impress everyone. Initially the laddoos might seem moist and like they would fall apart but they will set with time and get firm.

Notes : 

If you can find the typical motichoor laddoo ladle, nothing like it. Till then, this is a make do recipe. :-)