Microwave Besan Laddoo

For the recent Ganesh Chathurthi, I asked the kiddo which sweet he wanted to eat that day, so that I could make it for him. “Yellow laddoo” he replied without a blink. It caught me by surprise as I did not get the usual “nothing” a characteristic reply, especially when I ask him about desserts. You see, unlike his mom, he is not a dessert person and the only dessert he loves is something which has chocolate in it like the chocolate chip cookies. And occasionally he might eat some yellow laddos aka Besan Ladoo. I did not have the…

Sweet Poha/ Goda Pohvu

Flattened rice (also called beaten rice) is called Poha in Hindi, Avalakki in Kannada, Atukulu in Telugu and Aval in Tamil. In India, Poha/ Flattened rice is easily available and is usually associated with simplicity. Poha is considered a favorite of Lord Krishna and so this sweet dish is usually prepared on the occasion of Krishna Janamashathami.  Simple, divine and earthy are the trademarks of this Sweet Poha. Even though there are only four ingredients Poha, jaggery, coconut, cardamom, people prepare this in hundred different ways. Some heat the jaggery and coconut while others do not, some do not wet…

Corn Chivda/ Corn Mixture

Chivda is a popular snack of Maharashtra and North Karnataka usually made of flattened rice/poha. It is then spiced with masala and jazzed up with other ingredients like peanuts, raisins, cashews etc. When we talk about chivda, usually the picture of poha chivda comes to mind. But this chivda/mixture is made of Corn Poha. Please note that I am not referring either to the frozen corn or corn flakes (cereal). This Corn Poha is available in the Indian stores right and is usually placed next to the regular poha. It is yellow in color and is bigger, puffed than the…