Moongdal Sondesh | Easy Diwali Sweets Recipes

Don't raise your eyebrows reading the name of this recipe ! I know traditional Sondesh recipe doesn't call for anything other than Chhana but here I just thought of playing with the idea of shaping them. Subtly flavored with cardamom powder, this has nice aroma with every bite. Now a days countdown to Diwali (festival of Lights) is well and truly on and in order to start the tempo at my end I have tried making Moondal sondesh with jaggery instead of sugar. This is a lentil based sweet which is on the borderline between tasty and wholesome. Shaping them was fun!

Some more Ladoo recipse which you can make for Diwali:
1) Rava Ladoo
2) Narkol er Naru
3) Besan Ladoo

Ingredients:
1/2 cup Moong dal (yellow variety)
1/2 cup Jaggery
1/4 tsp Cardamom powder
2 tbsp Ghee
Fistful of cashews and raisins
1-2 tbsp Milk if needed
Pinch of salt

Method:
In a deep bottomed pan, dry roast moong dal on low flame. Stir continuously to get an even roasting and this process takes 15-20 minutes by now you will get a nice aroma. Leave the dal to cool down and then grind to fine powder.

Sieve and if there is any coarse mixture left make sure to grind it again and sieve. Grind jaggery to make a fine powder. Sieve through both jaggery and powdered dal. Now in a plate add jaggery-dal mixture, cardamom powder, pinch of salt and mix well. In a pan add ghee and fry cashews and raisins. 

Add to the mixture and mix thoroughly. The hot ghee will help to bind the mixture, if not then initially add 1 tbsp milk (add one more if you find it difficult) and try making a small round ball. 

Now press down the ball into the sondesh molds and then carefully remove from the molds. Repeat till you are done with all the mixture. You can store these in a closed box in the refrigerator for upto 2-3 days.

Notes:

• Don't leave the pan unattented while roasting dal. Keep stirring on low flame.
• Sieve both jaggery and powdered dal together for super fine texture. If you want coarse texture then you may skip it.
• You can also shape them round instead of using sondesh molds. 

Sending this Diwali special recipe to Gayathri's  Diwali Special event.