Delish, Healthyish, Recipes

Shengdana Ladoo

During my childhood, these ladoos were only made twice a year, on Ashadhi Ekadashi and Kartiki Ekadashi. They are my favourite and especially eaten during fasts (upwas). No one taught me how to make these, I learnt by observing my grandmother and mother. Back in the village, we were a family of 25-30 people, so these were made a lot.

Ingredients

  • 250 Grams Shengdana (Singdana/Groundnut/Peanuts)
  • 150 Grams Gur (Jaggery)
  • 1/2 Cup Mixed Dry Fruits
  • Khajoor (Dates)
  • Akrod (Walnuts)
  • Kharik (Dry Dates)
  • Kala Manuka (Black Raisins)

Preparation

Prep: 2 minutes
Cooking: 20 minutes

  1. Dry roast the nuts on low or medium flame till the skin of the peanuts separate.
  2. Cool the peanuts and separate the skin by rubbing.
  3. Transfer the nuts in a mixer and grind them to a coarse powder.
  4. Add gur and dry fruits and mix.
  5. Then grind the whole mixture into a medium-coarse powder.
  6. Transfer the ladoo mixture into a bowl, mix and combine well.
  7. Start making ladoos and store in an airtight container.

Watch
Manisha Chavan

I come from a village in Solapur district of Maharashtra. My father was a farmer and we had a big joint family. I used to be with my grandmother all the time, we all called her Aai. Aai always took care of everybody, she loved us and cooked for us. Whether it was her grandchildren, neighbours, house helps or even their children, Aai made sure no one sleeps hungry. This inspired me to live my life a certain way and to be a better human being - without any expectations or appreciation, just giving immense love. In 1975, I got married and came to Mumbai. I lived in a joint family here too. I had no idea what poha or upma was because we always ate bhakri and bhaaji for all the three meals in the village. Eventually, I learnt everything. I am vegetarian but I learnt how to cook meat, chicken and fish because my husband liked it. Akka, my mother-in-law taught me. Surprisingly Akka was also vegetarian. Today, I am 60 and still eager to learn interesting dishes - some might be updated with time, some could be a fusion. The other day, my granddaughter taught me a new dish that I am eager to make.