Coconut Rava Ladoo with Chia Seeds - Navarathri Recipe

Preparation time - 15 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

Yield: 12 to 15

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Note: Adding chia seeds is totally optional,  but it is an excellent way to sneak in some extra nutrients. 

Ingredients:

Rava / Semolina - 1 cup

Freshly grated or frozen coconut - 1/2 cup

Sugar - 3/4 cup

Ghee / Clarified butter - 2 tbsp

Chia seeds - 1 tbsp

Cashews - 10

Raisins - 10

Cardamom powder - 1/2 tsp

Saffron - few threads

Water - 1/2 cup

Method:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine rava, coconut and chia seeds..  Mix well and keep it aside for 15 minutes.
2. Add sugar and water in a sauce pan and bring it to a boil.  Simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Heat ghee in a skillet and fry the cashews and raisins on low flame.
4. Add the rava mixture and roast on low flame until aromatic.  
5. Add the saffron and cardamom powder.  Mix well.
6. Add the sugar syrup and mix until everything comes together.
7. Let it sit for 10 minutes.
8. While the mixture is still warm, form a golf sized ladoos / balls out of it.
9. Let it cool completely and store in a air tight container.
10. Consume within 5 days or refrigerate for a week.