India is a country with a myriad of culture, religions, languages etc. This diversity is also seen in the food we eat. Indians have a sweet-tooth and love flavorful food.
What are laddoos?
Laddu�or�laddoo�are ball-shaped sweets popular in India during festivals. They are usually made of flour, minced dough, and sugar — with variations throughout the country.
For instance, coconut laddoos are prepared during festivals such as Holi (festival of colors), Ganesh Chaturthi (is the Hindu festival that reveres god Ganesha), Navratri (Goddess Durga is worshipped) and Diwali (the festival of lights) in India. There are several stories about how they came into being. The history of laddoos can be traced back to a South Indian empire- The Chola Dynasty (c. 1000 CE). � Back then, they were referred to as ‘Narayl Nakru‘ and were considered to be a symbol of good luck.
Coconut is one of the most versatile food item and is a very important ingredient in Asia and other coastal regions.
The Recipe
The recipe of coconut laddoos is simple and has only two main ingredients: Coconut powder and condensed milk. However, there are variations of coconut laddoos are prepared throughout India.�The recipe that I share with you is unique in its own right. �The simple ingredients to prepare them are easily available. They include:
- Coconut powder (dry or fresh) 400 gms
- Condensed milk 400 gms
- Raisins, nuts for garnishing (optional)
First, add about 300 gms coconut powder to the condensed milk. These two ingredients are mixed well and kneaded with hands. A good tip is to save the remaining coconut powder for outer layer.
After the mixture is ready, make small balls like shapes out of it.
These are then rolled in the coconut powder, �to add texture. Finally, garnish the laddoos with raisins and nuts to add flavour but this step is optional.
There we have it, the delicious coconut laddoos are ready to eat!�This delicious sweet is easy to make and yummy. The simple ingredients and the wonderful texture of the laddoo make it an easy to make �recipe.