Deepavali is a festival celebrated with great fervor throughout the country. It is a festival eagerly looked forward to by one and all . It has no age barriers. Deepavali definitely means food, crackers, new clothes, food, visiting people, food, food....
That having been said it is also a festival which ends up being an eating orgy. Food keeps going down the system non stop and without any control at all. Sweets, savories, heavy pulaos, rich curries... the list goes on. In fact, we happily use the kids as an excuse to cook that much. The kids need to eat well.... They need to celebrate... Deepavali comes but once a year..... In the meantime, we have consumed these vast quantities of rich foods. And then struggle with our conscience and weight gain. Thats why our people knew the importance of Leghiyam at the end of the festivities. It is sorely needed to digest all that rich food eaten over the last few days.
We too make a lot of food during this season. In fact, I think I have used more oil and sugar in the last couple of days than in the entire two months preceding it. Just happily pouring in the oil into the frying pans and letting the sugar syrups bubble away to glory. What can I say? Deepavali comes but once a year...
Each year we have a combination of old favorites and a new addition to our feast. I love making one thing new each year. Something I have not tried out earlier. It helps in adding to my repertoire. It is also a good excuse to update my blog. I try to make something traditional and in keeping with the Deepavali spirit. I am all for innovation and creativity, but there is something to be said for the old faithfuls. They have been around for many years and will continue to be there for next so many.
This year I tried my hand at making Badushas. They are pretty simple to make and if you don't count calories (you should not- this is Deepavali, right? And Deepavali comes but once a year..) it is quite a nice sweet to eat for the festive season. It also lasts for a while so thats another plus point. The only thing is I made my badushas really baby sized. They looked cute and are perfect for one mouthful.
Ingredients:
3 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon cooking soda
4 big tablespoons ghee or clarified butter
4 cups sugar
1 teaspoon cardamom powder
Oil to deep fry
Method:
Sift the all purpose flour and baking soda till well mixed
Add the cardamom powder
Add in the ghee and gently rub in.
Add water a tablespoon at a time to make it into a dough.
Do NOT over knead the dough.
Make small lemon sized balls and make a depression with your forefinger. This helps cooking the badusha through.
Simultaneously, heat the sugar with 2 cups of water till a two string consistency is obtained. (Take a bit of the syrup between your fingers and pull apart. two strings should form)
Heat oil till medium hot. It should not be smoking.
Fry the badushas till golden brown and immerse into the syrup.
Leave the badushas to soak in the syrup for a minute or two.
Take out and let dry.
ENJOY!!!!!
2 comments:
This sounds yummy! Have been following your blog and have found quite a few delectable dishes which I have already scheduled to try over the next few months...keep going didi!
I'm going to make this. I'm GOING to make this tonight, because it's Diwali and because I've never even thought to try badusha at home! Thanks and happy diwali!
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