Besan Ladoo

The use of the microwave in this classic Indian sweet was taken from numerous on-line sources. This recipe adjusts the typical ingredients to be more suitable to 'British' tastes. These Besan Ladoo's are quick and easy to make. They are a pleasant after dinner treat.

Ingredients

For 1 - Makes 4 Ladoo's	Continued...
2 tbspn oil	1/8 tspn cardamom powder
2 tbspn besan (see note 1)	½ tspn ground cinnamon
2 tbspn custard powder (I use Bird's)	½ tspn almond flavouring
1 tbspn semolina	2 tspn lemon juice as needed
2 tbspn icing sugar	desiccated coconut as required

Preparation

Microwave the oil in a microwave safe bowl until warm (about 15 sec at 800 W) and mix in the besan.
Mix well and microwave on full power (800 W) for 30 secs.
Stir in the custard powder and semolina and mix well with a fork (or springy knife/spatula) and microwave again for 30 secs.
Mix well and microwave again for 20 secs.
Mix well and microwave again for 20 secs.
Mix in the icing sugar, cardamom powder and ground cinnamon.
Bring the mixture together to a very slightly sticky consistency with the almond flavouring and lemon juice as needed - a little oil on the palms of the hands can help here.
Separate the mixture into 4 equal pieces, press together and roll into balls.
Coat with some desiccated coconut.

Notes

(1) Besan is gram/chickpea flour and can be purchased from many supermarkets and any Asian outlet.
(2) Can be kept, preferably refrigerated, for several days.

The main ingredients

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