Besan Ladoos ( microwave method)

Besan ladoos are a sweet delicacy served on many special occasions in Goa, particularly by the Hindu Goans.  One special festivity is the Ganesh Chaturthi which is celebrated by both Christians and Hindus alike in August/September.

This excerpt is from Goa Holiday Homes.com
"The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi holds a special significance in almost all the religious cities and villages of Goa, specially Mapusa, which is famous for its Temples at Ganeshpuri and Khorlim as well as the local association who also worship the Lord amidst great fervour. Marcela is the village where this festival is celebrated the most as it is a village known for its wide number of Hindu temples. The artisans from the village are engaged in making many different idols of Lord Ganesh, with varied ideas springing in their creative minds. There are idols made of the Lord's own vehicle, wherein mice of various sizes made of fur form the Ganesh idol, another one made of the material from the commercial crops, the Arecanut and the Coconut. There are idols made from Cane and Bamboo in other parts of this village and neighbouring Cumbharjua village wherein the entire pandal and the idol is made of cane itself wherein the idol rests in a half lying posture on a swing, moving with help of a motor. All over these festival days, there are hordes of devotees from different religions besides Hindus, scurrying at these places to worship and pay obeisance to the most loved God of Wisdom."

Anyone who does not like the tedious stove method will love this microwave alternative which I have shown here!
It can be quickly ready for tea time or dessert .

 Ingredients

2 cups besan flour
1 tablespoon sooji  (fine semolina)
6 tablespoons ghee, or vegan alternative
1 cup sugar
1/2 - 1 level teaspoon ground cardamon
1 tablespoon chopped almonds (optional)

Method

In a microwave safe glass dish put the besan, sooji and the ghee. Mix well with a fork till it resembles breadcrumbs.
Put in microwave for 2 minutes on high. Remove and stir. Keep putting it back for 1 minute increments and stirring well, until the mixture turns a brownish color and starts to smell cooked. It took me about 4-5 more minutes. Be careful not to burn the mix. If you are nervous reduce your increments to 30 seconds between stirring.
When done remove and add chopped nuts. Keep aside to cool

When the mixture is cool, add the sugar and cardamon powder.  Shape into balls. I got 30 golf-ball  sized ladoos.
Note:  Crush the mixture into a rough ball, and then gently roll between your hands to smooth. This is a bit tricky, because the mixture is crumbly. If you cannot form balls no matter how hard you try, melt a little ghee and add to the mixture. Enjoy!
Nutrition value per ladoo: Calories 76.8/ Total fat 3.2 g/ cholesterol 6 mg/ sodium 3.9 mg/          total carbohydrates 10.5 g ( 7.3 g of sugar) / protein 1.5 g

Mix the flour with ghee

after 2 minutes in microwave - mix well

1 minute intervals in microwave and mixing till reddish brown

When done add nuts and leave to cool. Keep sugar and cardamon ready.

when cool add sugar and cardamon and mix well

Form into balls