Gujarat has long stretches of unspoilt coastline and an endless supply of fish and shell fish. But strict Jainism in the past and orthodox Hinduism today has encouraged widespread vegetarianism. The Gujarati cuisine is not heavily spiced but slightly sweeter than the cuisines of the neighbouring states.
Chef Sanjeev Kapoor says: “My mother-in-law makes the most awesome Mohanthaal, a traditional Gujarati mithai. It is one of those versatile soul-satisfying sweets that fulfil several needs – a comfort food, a pick-me-up, or a celebratory offering.”
This recipe is from the book Mithai.
Gujarati food is distinctively vegetarian with about 65% of its population shunning the meat. The remaining 35% of the state’s population consists of Bohra Muslims and Parsis. Bohra Muslims are the followers of Abdullah who were Hindus who adopted Muslim religion. The Parsi cuisine on the other hand is a blend of western influences.
Ingredients:
Coarse gram flour 2 cups
Milk 3 tablespoons
Ghee 180 grams
Sugar 1 1/2 cups
Green cardamom powder 1/4 teaspoon
Nutmeg powder a large pinch
Milk 2 teaspoons
Saffron (kesar) 5-6 strand
Almonds blanched and slivered 10
10 pistachios blanched/slivered
Method
Step 1
Place the gram flour in a bowl. Heat a non-stick pan; add one and a half tablespoons ghee and two tablespoons milk and warm slightly. Add this to the gram flour and mix with your fingertips till the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Pass through a thick sieve so that the crumbs are smooth. Grease an eight inch thali.
Step 2
Heat the remaining ghee in a thick-bottomed non-stick pan. Add the gram flour mixture and cook on medium heat till fragrant and darker in colour.
Step 3
Meanwhile, cook the sugar and half a cup of water, stirring till the sugar dissolves. Add the 2 teaspoons milk and collect the scum which rises to the surface with a ladle, and discard. Cook to make a syrup of one-and-a-half string consistency.
Step 4
Soak the saffron in one tablespoon of warm milk for ten minutes. Add it to sugar syrup and mix well.
Step 5
Add half the green cardamom powder and nutmeg powder to the gram flour and mix. Take the pan off the heat and keep stirring till the mixture cools completely.
Step 6
Add the syrup to the gram flour mixture and stir continuously, till all the liquid is absorbed and the mixture thickens.
Step 7
Pour the mixture into the greased thali and spread evenly. Smooth the top and sprinkle the almonds and pistachios. Sprinkle the remaining cardamom powder and set aside to cool. Cut into squares and serve. Makes 500 grams
– Courtesy: www.sanjeevkapoor.com