गणपती बाप्पा मोरया... मंगलमुर्ती मोरया.....!!

गणपती बाप्पा मोरया... मंगलमुर्ती मोरया.....!!

Ganesh Festival is that special festival of Maharashtra which is celebrated for 10 days with great pomp all over the state. Before starting any new venture we believe in praying to Lord Ganesh or Ganapati Bappa as he lovingly called in Marathi. It is believed that Ganapati can remove any obstacles that may be a hindrance in your way to success and that is the reason why any new venture is first started by praying to Lord Ganapati.

Although 4 days late, But still I wish you all A Very Happy Ganesh Festival. Yes, the picture above is of the Ganapati idol at my maternal home this year....and we are missing all the fun here in Germany where things are definitely nowhere as exciting as they are; back in Pune :-(........

Special sweets are prepared on Ganesh Festival with the Modaks taking the place of pride but what I have prepared this time for the Prasad is flavoured Pedhas. So people...just read on for the recipe:-

Milk Powder - 2 cups

Milkmaid - 1 tin (300 ml)

Ghee - 1/2 Cup

Saffron few strands (soaked in warm milk)

Cardamom powder - 2 tsp.

Salt - 4-5 grains

Milk - 3-4 tsp.

For more Colours and flavours I used Chocolate Sauce - 2 tsp. and Strawberry Crush - 2 tsp.

(but was very disappointed with the colour that I got after adding the Strawberry crush...but never mind...it tasted awesome)

For decoration I used chopped Almonds..

1. Take a large wide mouthed microwave safe bowl and heat the ghee just until it melts.

2. Now add both the condensed milk and milk powder and microwave on full power for 4 –5 mins stirring after every minute.

3. Now divide the dough in 3 portions and add saffron, in one part. Also add cardamom powder in all 3 parts. Mix with the dough and microwave again for another 4 to 5  more mins. 

4. Similarly mix chocolate sauce and strawberry crush in the remaining two parts and microwave again for another 4 to 5  more mins. 

5. The mixture kind of begins to thicken and also rise up. Be very careful when microwaving the hot mixture. Do not forget to stir frequently.

6. Cool the mixture  for a good 10 mins until it is warm enough for you to handle. It get's the consistency of chapati dough.

7. Now roll the pedhas. If you do this while the dough is still warm the Pedhas will roll into smooth balls.

8. If you feel that the mixture has become too dry to roll out; then add a tsp or two of milk and microwave the mixture again for a minute or two. Then let it cool down a little bit for you to handle it again. 

9. Decorate Pedhas with Almonds or any nuts of your choice....and the Pedhas are ready.