Masala Nuts

It is always good to have some thing little spicy and crunchy for our evening tea !. Here is the recipe of making masala nuts which is a healthy protein rich evening snack. Instead of deep fry, we can use microwave oven for roasting.

INGREDIENTS:

Pea nuts - 100 gms
Cashews(Broken) - 100 gms
Besan (Kadalai Maavu) - 100 gms
Baking soda- 1 pinch
Ghee-  2 table spoon
Chilli powder, salt - As required.



METHOD :

 In a big microwaveable plate, spread the cashews and peanut  and sprinkle some water over it. Then add besan, baking soda , chilli powder,salt and ghee and mix well with that. Then keep in microwave in high for 3 minutes and take out. Allow it to cool down. Tasty, crunchy masala nuts is ready !

Asoka Halwa

Asoka halwa is a very famous sweet in Thanjavur and quite popular one. Here is the simple recipe of making Asoka halwa.

        

INGREDIENTS:

Wheat Flour - 1/4 cup
Moong Daal(Paasi Paruppu) - 1/4 cup
Ghee  - 1/2 cup
Sugar - 1/2 cup

Saffron Strands- few 
Cashews,cardamom powder  - As required

METHOD:

    Dry roast moong daal in a tawa for few minutes until u see slight colour change  and a nice aroma . Dont fry  for two long,  as the moong daal may get burnt . Then pressure cook it nicely,  so that it becomes like a paste. You can use a ladle to mash the dal well without any lumps.

     In a tawa, add half of the ghee mentioned in the ingredients section and add wheat flour to that and roast the wheat flour well, till it turns to golden colour. Again, make sure that you dont burn the flour. Also, add the cooked moong daal , saffron strands to it and mix well and allow them to cook well. Keep stirring continuously without leaving for 5 minutes, and when u see the mixture doesnt stick to the sides of the tawa then it is fully cooked. Add  sugar , cardamom powder and mix well. Now, add the remaining ghee, roasted cashews ( roast cashew in little ghee separately) and mix well and turn off the stove. Asoka halwa is ready.