HAPPY DIWALI!!
DIWALI- Festival of Lights.
It is one of the most popular festivals in India, if not the most.
There are many stories linked to the reasons behind the celebration.
Growing up, Diwali for me was all about new clothes, fun with family, food and FIRE CRACKERS(it was like the July 4th in India).
Ladies would start making savory and sweets a week before the big day. Snacks would be stored in big steel boxes. Cleaning was a big part, painting the home, changing linens, it was all chaotic. Shopping for clothes was also so much fun. The stores would be so crowded that we hardly had space to turn around. Shopping for Fire Crackers was crazy fun, my uncles would buy the most violent of all to scare the heck out of me. People started bursting crackers a couple of days before Diwali. It felt like a celebration when we heard the sounds. IT was so so so much fun. I miss all of that.
NOW, Diwali has a different meaning to it, to keep our traditions alive, to teach the boys about our culture, prayers and the importance of family values. I try to duplicate a bit of what I experienced growing up.
We wake up before the sun rises, shower, wear new clothes and sit for our long prayer. An elaborate breakfast of Puri(puffed flat bread), curry, sweet halva, kheer, vada(fried savory dough) is an important part of our celebration. We light diyas(decorated clay lamps)in the evening and pray to the GODDESS OF WEALTH, LAKSHMI.
The boys all dressed in the most colorful attire are ready to give gift boxes which has home made snacks to neighbors who are our lovely friends. Now, as I don’t have family here, friends are like family. So, we have a huge dinner planned with friends and the day ends with lots of laughter, food, and hugs.
Hope you all have a great prosperous year filled with love, health and happiness. Here’s a sweet that is simple to make, a bit twisted from my mom’s rava laddu but loved by my family and friends.
MAKES 40-50 laddus
Ingredients:
2 cups rava/semolina
2 cups mixed nuts powdered(pistachios,cashews,almonds)
1 can of condensed milk
1 stick of unsalted butter
1/2 tsp of saffron
1/2 tsp of powdered cardamom
pinch of salt
Method:
1. Take a huge flat bottomed thick pan, keep the flame on low,add the butter and melt it. Add the rava and fry it on low flame for 15-20 minutes
Do not let it brown a lot. Now add the powdered nuts and fry on low flame for another 10-15 minutes.
2. You will get the sweet smell of the powders, then add the crushed saffron, powdered cardamon, salt and mix well.
3. Add the condensed milk and mix well. Switch of the heat and let it cool for 5 minutes.
4. Make equal portions of laddus. When is it warm, it is easier to make laddus.
Keep it in airtight containers and it will keep well for a week.
ENJOY and HAPPY DIWALI!
I apologize if I haven’t been to your blog in a while, it has been a busy week with Halloween, the festivities starting, loads of cooking and just the thought of putting together outfits for all the parties is tiring enough :).
Hope you all are doing well and had a great and safe Halloween.
Copyright 2013 – Food Fashion Party
I too made Ladoos yesterday and they were coconut Almond ones. Loved your version of nuts in ladoos. It gives a nice crunch to the ladoos, isn’t it? Its always nice to pass the traditional values to generations. I am glad to read that your boys follow them.
Happy Diwali Asha.. I also made Rava Laddu’s 🙂 I actually made them last weekend and they are almost done now 🙂
BTW, where did you buy the silver foil from?
They look divine! What does ‘laddu’ mean?
@Shema- they are gone before the main day right?..I’m sure it was yum. I get the foil from India,.
@Angie- laddu means a circular/round shaped sweet in India and many middle eastern countries.
Happpy Diwali!!!
Diwali is a magnificent festival. I had the chance to see how Indians celebrate it. It was a magic experience. Beautiful mouthwatering laddu’s.
Looks scrumptious .. I love rava ladoos.. love the nuts in it.. Wish u very happy diwali ..
Diwali is not complete without such lovely ladoos. Like how the silver sheets has been incorporated in the finishing.
Happy Diwali, my sweetheart, to you and your family ♥ Hope you had a blast!
I heard a lot about Rava laddoo and seen them in Indian eateries. But never tried; you know why? Those Laddoos didn’t look as inviting and sexy as yours 🙂
You are truly a food artist and ‘esthetics’ is in your blood.
Off I dash to the kitchen… to make some Rava Laddoos 🙂
Happy Diwali to you all Asha!! I miss all the shopping and celebrations back home too 🙁
Nice twist on rava laddu! Great pics as always.
You have been a very busy woman. We’ll always be here for you whenever you write a post — no pressure! I enjoyed reading about your Diwali celebration, so thank you for sharing! These look absolutely delicious, Ash.
Wow, these sound heavenly and perfect for a celebration.
Thanks for your wishes, it is a fun time.
@Marcie-that is such a sweet thing to say,I love visiting your blog to checkout and get inspired.
Happy Diwali to you and your family, Asha.
I adore the golden variety of laddus, when I lived in Abu Dhabi, a mom of a friend of mine would make laddus every time I visited and she would send me home with a container full, which I would begin eating on my walk home!
These Rava nut ladus sound pretty fantastic and might become my new fav laddu!
Happy Diwali to you and everyone at home!! I adore rawa ladoos!! Mum’s been the one organising all the goodies in the kitchen this year.. don’t you just love Diwali.. everyone makes an effort to celebrate in their own little way!!
I’d so love to be in India during diwali! It sounds like a magical time. Happy Diwali to you and your family! 😀
I love hte spicy version of laddhu on Indian restaurant..
Never had chance to taste the sweet version like yours, tempting to try!
I love Diwali as well, though this is a comparatively new festival to me. Love how the sky lights up with beautiful colors.
Lovely pics as always. My mom has been searching for this recipe.Sharing it with her.
Looks like a just found my next yummy breakfast!!
Happy Diwali! I love learning about this wonderful festival – it reminds me of our Chinese New Year with all the celebrations, food, and gatherings. These delectable sweets with nuts sound and look wonderful. I wish you and your family a great year ahead!
Happy diwali to you Asha . I like your version of rava laddoo with condesned milk, I make with ghee and milk, adding sliver varak is very nice.
What beautiful, tasty treats! Perfect for any celebration!
Happy Diwali to you and your family Asha! Hope you have a wonderful holiday with your family and friends. These rava laddus are gorgeous , I don’t think I’ve tried these…my favourite happen to be the mothi choor. But reading your ingredient list these sound wonderful and easy to make. Definitely on my list to make, and I love the varq 🙂 Completes the dish.
Nazneen
I imagine that it’s not easy keeping this beautiful tradition alive as an expat, but reading your post shows that you are doing a great job.
The sweets with the silver leaves( reminds me so much of celebrations years back when we used to live in Delhi!) look divine.
Happy Diwali, Asha!
Happy Diwali! Such a great treat you made for us today. These look fantastic – thanks so much.
Happy Diwali, Ash! I enjoyed learning about your traditions and an introduction to these rava-nuts laddu. Luv the semolina with the nut flours.
Happy Diwali! Awesomely done! I just love the last picture!
Happy Diwali!!
Love Diwali, it’s such a wonderful celebration full of light, joy and good food. And those laddu…yum!!!!
How does semolina taste like? I have never tried it but these little sweet balls look fantastic. I am going to pin them because I really would love to make them. I have cardamon, which I love so I think these will be a hit, especially with the grind up nuts in it 🙂
what a lovely holiday. this recipe is intriguing and pretty, and i love that my gluten-free son can try it!
Happy Diwali! These look absolutely delicious! Hope you have a great one. <3
Happy Diwali!! I’m loving the moody and dark styling here. Shadows can be so beautiful 🙂
A delicious treat! Happy Diwali.
Cheers,
Rosa
Even though I’m not Indian, my old roommate and most of my coworkers are so I get to celebrate Diwali every year and it is absolutely my favorite! LOVE all the sweets and I’m so glad to have this recipe so I can surprise them all with it next year!
Hi Ash,
These ladoos are making my mouth water. It’s been so long since I ate these. One of my favorites and yours look amazing!
Wishing you and your family a very Happy Diwali and a Prosperous New Year!
Happy Diwali! These are so adorable and sound delicious, Ash!!
Gorgeous Ladoos…!! What a beautiful write up..!! Simply love it.. Happy Diwali to you and yours…!!
I’ve never made this before, but this recipe sounds very tempting..I’ll be trying it very soon. They look wonderful!
Wow…What a beautiful treat, Ash! And have condensed milk…Whoo-hoo!!!
Happy Diwali!!! Holy moly lady, these sound DELICIOUS! We use semolina a lot in Greek cooking too and I just love the texture it gives to dishes. I can only imagine how tasty these sweets must be, definitely going to be giving them a try with the extra semolina I have at home! 🙂
Happy Diwali! i always love your holiday posts and reading about your memories and how it all ties in to the food, the tastes, the sights- i always feel like i’m there! these look soo delicious!
These treats look so interesting, I love learning about Indian food and want to start cooking Indian recipes!
I have never tried these, but they look fantastic! I can just taste the cardamom … mmmm
Happy Diwali Asha!
These ladoos have been on my mind for so long though I never got to making them coz it is so hot here in Mumbai. I am drooling looking at these gorgeous treats!!
Beautifully done, who can resist to this wonderful laddoos,very irresistible they are.
So interesting to hear about your holiday! Sounds like a nice cleansing of the mind and soul
thank you all for your wishes. We had such a great time and the celebration continues.
@Miriam- The semolina tastes quite like fine pasta. It is a finely ground grain..I believe wheat. It has a sweet smell to it, when it’s slowly roasted. Amazing, very popular grain in India for sweet and savory. You have to give it a shot. You could even make a fritatta with roasted semolina, so so yummy and healthy.
Happy Diwali to you and your family, Asha. I love coming here and learning about Indian celebrations. GREG
Happy Diwali to you Asha! I love learning about Indian culture from your blog. These rava nuts looks absolutely amazing. What’s not to love with those ingredients. Thanks for a great post!
Is it bad that the first time I heard about Diwali was from the episode of The Office? Have you seen it?
I agree with Bill, I love learning about Indian culture from your blog. It also doesn’t hurt that your pictures are one of the best I have ever seen.
Hope all is well.
Happy Diwali to you and your family! I’ve tried Rava Laddu before at my neighbor’s Diwali festival. It was so fun! Too bad they moved so no more Diwali party for us. 🙁 Your pictures of laddus are amazing!
I love all these celebrations that bring families together. I think in order for a person to be happy must grow up with family, with happy memories and also must have a sound knowledge of his/her heritage. Without appreciation of the past I believe you cannot move forward. These are beautiful little treats! Happy Diwali!
What a wonderful holiday…full of nice traditions that share with your family and friends. Thanks for sharing your nice day with us.
Super yummy, perfect for celebrations.
Happy Belated Diwali Day, Asha, and I would like to thank you for the gorgeous palette plate. Much gratitude to you! Have a great weekend!
These look amazing, Ash! And a pleaseure to read about Diwali. It sounds like a wonderful holiday!
ladoo looks super delicious..lovely presentation…