Basann oondo

If we say Godsaniche . the first item that we will remember is the Bassann Oondo / besan onndo .this is especially prepared during our important festivals like Deepavali ,, Samsarpadavo(New year) & weddings . When the temple aarattu is nearing , this will be made & stocked to serve the many guests who will arrive . This oondo is so popular because of its melt in the mouth texture & great taste !
This is quite easy to make if you have the patience to stir fry the besan -ghee  mixture 

Ingredients;

• Besan  ( chickpea flour ) – 2  cups 
•  Sugar – 1 & half cups 
• Ghee – 1/2 cup & a little more 
• Cardamom / elaichi powder – 1/2 tsp
• Cashewnuts & kishmish / raisins  – a handful

Method ;

1. Heat a little ghee in a thick- bottomed kadai or non-stick pan . Add the cashews first. When they are turning brown add the kishmish so that they fluff up . Remove & keep aside .
2. Add the besan & on a slow flame roast it to a golden brown . the normal procedure is to add the besan & ghee together and roast till brown . but since we nowadays follow a less ghee intake . roasting first & then adding the ghee & roasting  method – you will need less ghee only .                      
3. Roast  the besan without burning it till  the besan starts giving a nice roasted smell & has slightly changed colour . Add the ghee so that you get this crumbly texture .
4. Keep stirring the mixture 
5. Stirring with the spatula well. the mixture will turn more oily as you stir   .                                 
6. Switch off when you get a golden colour and the aroma fill the whole house                               
7. After about 5 minutes add the cashews & sugar  ( usually the sugar is powdered & added , but I like the bite of crunchiness in the oondo & so add it as such ), You can see that the mixture has become considerably oily than before 
8. When it is still warm & and you are able to handle it , use your hands to mix well .                          
9. Use your fingers to smoothen the mixture so that it does not have any lumps and the sugar is uniformly mixed
10. Take a small portion of the mixture  and form a ball .
11. Press to form a firm ball
12.  Then roll the ball   in your hand  like shown in the pic so that it takes a perfect round shape & starts to look shiny too .