Wishing everyone a Very Very Happy and fun filled Diwali!!
I look forward to Diwali every year to try out some new Indian sweet and snack recipes. I don't make too many Indian desserts thinking they might be difficult, but I was amazed at how easy these Kesar Badam Peda turned out to be.
My parents are visitng us this Diwali making it all the more special and mummy and I had made some Mango-Coconut Laddoos last weekend. Mummy had never made a Mango laddo and she and daddy enjoyed it.
We also made couple of other snacks like Diamond shaped Namak Pare, Sweet Boondi last weekend and last night even tried a hand at some Cashew Murukku and Ribbon Pakoda.
I'm yet to share all these recipes on the blog, which I will share shortly. We've just been so busy spending time with each other and visiting friends and their family that blogging is taking a back seat. :-)
I had some condensed milk left over after making the Mango Laddoos, so to make use of it we tried this super easy Peda recipe which mummy had learnt from a friend while she used to stay in Mumbai couple of years ago. The recipe was actually for Dhoodh Peda (Milk peda) but I did not have Milk powder and instead substituted with Almond powder and made them as Badam Peda (Almond Peda).
The addition of some saffron flavored milk adds a unique and amazing flavor to these sweet chewy fudge like sweet. I also love the way how the saffron stands show out in the peda.
The whole thing comes together in just about 10-15 mins, it's that easy. I tried taking some stepwise pics which'll help me as well when i want to make these another time :-D
If you have couple of Diwali parties to attend and haven't yet decided on what to take, make these...they look festive and seems like you slogged a lot in the kitchen to prepare and tastes amazing too...no on needs to know how quick and easy they are to make :-)
They taste chewy and fudge like and has a lovely nutty flavor of the badam. The sweetened condensed milk adds enough sweetness and does not require any additional sugar. The saffron definitely elevates the flavor.
Kesar Badam Peda
Makes 16-18 small peda
You’ll Need
1 cup Almond powder
200 gms (about ½ tin) Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 teaspoons Ghee
1 Tablespoon warm Milk
A pinch of Saffron strands
Chopped Pista/Almonds for
garnish
Directions
1. Sift 1 cup almond powder
through a sieve. Add a pinch of saffron to 1 tablespoon warm milk. Chop the
pistachios for garnish and keep aside.
2. In a bowl mix together the
kesar-milk mixture, condensed milk and Almond powder and make a smooth paste.
3. Heat a non-stick pan
and add this paste and cook on medium heat until it starts becoming thick. Add
2 teaspoons ghee at this stage and continue to cook until it starts coming together
forming a smooth dough and should come off the pan without sticking.
4. Place the peda dough on
a greased plate. Grease your palms and while still warm, start rolling out
bite-sized balls from the dough and flatten it slightly. Press down the centre
and arrange them on the plate. Add the chopped pistachios as garnish in the
center.
I have some other simple Diwali recipes which I have tried over the years. Sharing the link in case you want to try any...I hope you will :)
Mango Coconut Laddoo
Kaju Katli (sweet Cashew Fudge)
Gajar Ka Halwa (Carrot Halwa)
Spiced Mango Kalakhand (Ginger spiced Mango Fudge)
Whole Wheat Murukku
Ring Murukku
Happy Diwali once again to all my dear redaers, family and friends!
-Manju
