Light up your tastebuds this festive season with this quick and tasty treat. Whenever I think of Diwali, the first milk-based confection that comes to mind is peda. An all-time favourite that is commonly distributed to share good news and joy with a touch of sweetness. Popular, classic and prepared for various Hindu religious festivals and occasions. Peda originated from Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India. Milk is condensed by stirring and simmering on low heat to solidify into khoya (mawa). Then, sweetened with sugar, flavoured with saffron and cardamom powder. Cooled, shaped and decorated with nuts. This easy, quick and simplified version of making pedas is with the addition of milk powder. It aids in thickening the milk in minutes. Sugar is incorporated when the mixture is slightly warm, shaped using a designed cookie cutter and enhanced with a nut. Enriched with saffron, these pedas are rich, attractive and melt-in-mouth delicious.
Saffron is one of the world’s most expensive spice, known as kesar in Hindi. It is believed to have originated from Iran and is obtained from the flower of Crocus sativus. The Latin name “crocus” stems from an ancient Sanskrit word for saffron. Intense crimson stigma and styles referred to as threads are collected and dried. To produce a single pound of saffron, it can take 75,000 blossoms. This spice is commonly used as a seasoning and colouring agent in food. It is also a powerful medicinal herb and helps in boosting your health. Rich in antioxidants, may prevent cancer or other diseases. Promotes weight loss and curb the appetite. Reduces inflammation, good for mental and sexual health. Fights depression, prevents hair loss and improves eyesight. These are some of the health benefits, so add saffron to your diet. A little goes a long way.
Saffron is one of the world’s most expensive spice, known as kesar in Hindi. It is believed to have originated from Iran and is obtained from the flower of Crocus sativus. The Latin name “crocus” stems from an ancient Sanskrit word for saffron. Intense crimson stigma and styles referred to as threads are collected and dried. To produce a single pound of saffron, it can take 75,000 blossoms. This spice is commonly used as a seasoning and colouring agent in food. It is also a powerful medicinal herb and helps in boosting your health. Rich in antioxidants, may prevent cancer or other diseases. Promotes weight loss and curb the appetite. Reduces inflammation, good for mental and sexual health. Fights depression, prevents hair loss and improves eyesight. These are some of the health benefits, so add saffron to your diet. A little goes a long way.
Kesar Peda
(Yields 28)
Ingredients:
1 cup full fat milk (250 ml)
2 cups skimmed milk powder
2 tablespoons ghee
1/2 cup icing sugar
1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
a pinch of saffron
few pistachios for decoration
Method:
Mix the powder with the milk in a pan until dissolved with no lumps. Place pan on medium heat, add saffron, ghee and stir continuously. In 10 minutes or less, mixture will start to thicken. Sprinkle cardamom powder and when mixture comes to the centre, remove onto a plate. Spread to cool.
Like besan ladoo, when mixture is only slightly warm, incorporate icing sugar or else it will get sticky. Grease your hand and knead to combine well.
Transfer onto a rolling board. Lightly grease the rolling pin. Roll mixture to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut with a designed cookie cutter. Alternatively, roll into round pedas.
Decorate with pistachios and transfer onto a platter.
(Yields 28)
Ingredients:
1 cup full fat milk (250 ml)
2 cups skimmed milk powder
2 tablespoons ghee
1/2 cup icing sugar
1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
a pinch of saffron
few pistachios for decoration
Method:
Mix the powder with the milk in a pan until dissolved with no lumps. Place pan on medium heat, add saffron, ghee and stir continuously. In 10 minutes or less, mixture will start to thicken. Sprinkle cardamom powder and when mixture comes to the centre, remove onto a plate. Spread to cool.
Like besan ladoo, when mixture is only slightly warm, incorporate icing sugar or else it will get sticky. Grease your hand and knead to combine well.
Transfer onto a rolling board. Lightly grease the rolling pin. Roll mixture to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut with a designed cookie cutter. Alternatively, roll into round pedas.
Decorate with pistachios and transfer onto a platter.
