DATES & DRY FRUITS LADOOS

 DATES & DRY FRUITS LADOOS

It is customary in our Indian homes to make some sweets for festivals and with Diwali coming up, everyone is busy preparing sweets and savories for the family. For the health conscious and for those who are advised to avoid or reduce their intake of sugar, Dates & Dry Fruits Ladoos is a welcome option that I would recommend. This is because unlike most traditional Indian sweets, this does not call for the use of  sugar or even jaggery as dates have their natural sweetness. 

Dates are supposed to be very good for health . They are nutritious and high in fibre apart from having several antioxidants. Likewise, dry fruits too are rich in proteins, minerals and fibre, so this combination of ingredients makes for a tasty as well as healthy sweet! Readers outside India would probably use the generic term " nuts" for what we call " dry fruits"! 

There are many ways one can make Dates & Dry Fruit Ladoos. I have used this method which is quite easy and does not call for too much effort. 

If you are using seedless dates, they can be used as such but dates with seeds need to be de-seeded. You can use a variety of dry fruits. Today I have used almonds, cashews, pistachios, walnuts and raisins. 

Please note that we should make the ladoos when the dates and dry fruits mixture is cool enough to handle, without allowing it to cool completely. 

While signing off, here's wishing you and your family a Very Happy Diwali. Enjoy, but stay safe!! 

Ingredients:-

• Seedless Dates, (Khajur) 2 cups 
• Ghee, 1 and 1/2 tbsp
• Almonds, (Badam), chopped, 1/2 cup
• Cashewnuts, (Kaju), chopped, 3 tbsp 
• Pistachios, (Pista), chopped, 3 tbsp
• Walnuts, (Akhrot), chopped, 3 tbsp 
• Raisins, ( Kishmish), 2 tbsp
• Poppy Seeds, (Khus Khus), 2 tsp
• Cardamom (Elaichi ) Powder, 1/2 tsp

Method:-

Keep the dates in a microwaveable dish and microwave on high for about 30 seconds

( This will soften the dates)

Allow it to cool and transfer the dates to a mixer jar 

Grind  the dates to a coarse paste without adding any water. Keep aside

In a thick bottomed kadhai, heat the ghee and lightly fry the almonds, cashew nuts, pistachios and walnuts till they get roasted and give off a fragrance 

Next add the raisins and poppy seeds and roast for 1-2 minutes 

To this add the dates paste prepared earlier and stir continuously till the dates and nuts get well blended

Switch off the gas, add the cardamom powder and mix once again

Transfer the content to a plate and allow it to cool for a few minutes

When it is cool enough to handle, apply a little ghee to your palms and lightly knead the dates and dry fruits mixture 

Using your palms and fingers, shape the dates and dry fruits mixture into ladoos 

Store in airtight container