hayagreeva {split chickpea, sweet}

Hayagreeva or hayagriva , a traditional sweet made with split chickpeas , jaggery and coconut !

ingredients

serves 5-6 people

1 cup Channa Dal (split chickpeas)

1/2 cup fresh coconut

3/4 th cup to 1 cup organic jaggery

1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder

3-4 tablespoons ghee/clarified butter

2 tablespoons cashews and raisins

Method

• In a pressure cooker , add the channa dal/split chickpeas.
• add water to cover the dal and cook for 2 whistles.
• the dal should not become too soft.
• Once cooked , allow to cool.
• in a blender, add half of the cooked Channa Dal , coconut and grind together into a coarse paste.
• use little water if necessary , while grinding.
• in a thick bottomed pan , add 2 tablespoons ghee.
• when the ghee is hot, add cashews and raisins.
• fry until the cashews are golden and the raisins swell up.
• remove the fried nuts.
• into the same pan , add the Channa Dal , the ground paste and jaggery.
• cook until the mixture thickens up and leaves the sides of the pan.
• this can take up to 15 mins depending upon the water content.
• keep stirring in medium heat.
• when you see the ghee leaving the sides of the pan , add cardamom powder and fried nuts.
• add another tablespoon of ghee and mix everything well.
• serve warm ! HAPPY DIWALI !