Indulgence need not always be unhealthy. During this festive season, let us enjoy the famous Indian festival delicacy Motichoor Laddu in a no fry healthy version.
Motichoor Laddu is a treasured dessert of India and I strongly believe in not altering traditional recipes. Yet, this version is just a humble try for those people (like me) who can have “Mithai” as a Meal. And this helps to sneak in a few extra laddus without feeling guilty.
Laddu or laddoo is a ball-shaped sweet popular in the Indian Subcontinent. The word Motichoor literally translates to crushed pearls. Since motichoor laddu as per traditional method involves small chickpea flour balls which resemble pearls, hence the name motichoor.
Laddu is an integral part of Indian festivals and celebrations. The history of laddu in India dates back to several centuries and Ladoo is the most popular sweet which Indians savour on every auspicious occasion.
Even though every region in India has its own variety of Laddu as per availability of local ingredients, yet there are two things in common across all types of laddus that they are all round and sweet!
Traditionally Motichoor Laddu making involves passing chickpea batter through a fine sieve directly into hot oil. This process results in tiny pearls. And the next step is to soak fried pearls in sugar syrup and shape them into balls.
For this healthy version of No Fry Motichoor Laddu, I have used Bengal Gram Lentil or Chana Dal. Soak dal for a few hours and then lightly pound them. Then steam them so they get cooked. Roasting them in ghee helps to seep in the flavor of ghee. Then put the pearls in either sugar syrup and shape into balls.
History of Laddu or Laddu
As far as the history of laddu is concerned, It is believed that Indian physician, Susruta, used ladoos as an antiseptic to treat his surgical patients.
In the 4th century BC, he used a concoction of ingredients with nutritional properties like sesame seeds, jaggery and peanuts to make ladoos that we today fondly call til ladoo.
You may check some other festival recipes of mine here.
Healthy, No-fry, Motichoor Laddoo
Equipment
- Vitamix Blender
Ingredients
- 1 cup Bengal Gram. Also known as Chana Dal in Hindi.
- 1 cup Light Brown Sugar or Honey.
- 4 tsp Kewra Water.
- ½ tsp Yellow or orange food color.
- 2 tbsp Ghee
Instructions
- Wash and soak Bengal Gram in water at least for 5 hours.
- Strain to remove any extra water.
- Add soaked Bengal Gram to a Blender Jar.
- Pulse 25-30 times to get a crumbly texture. If the Pulse option is not available in your blender then you can use the regular grinding option. Grind without adding any water.
- Make a coarse paste.
- Grease a steamer plate.
- Spread the ground Bengal Gram mixture onto the greased plate.
- You can use Idli mould too.
- Heat water in a Steamer.
- Put the plate in steamer.
- Cover and Steam for about 7 minutes.
- Once done, the Bengal gram will become tender.Gently spread it using a fork so that grains remain separate.
- Heat Ghee in a Pan.
- Gently stir steamed Bengal Gram mixture in Ghee for about 5 minutes. Turn off flame.
Option 1 -Using Honey as a sweetener
- Heat 1/2 cup Honey for 1.5 cups of bengal Gram mixture. Let Honey Boil.
- Add a few drops of yellow or orange food color of your choice. You can use either powder food color or liquid food color.
- When honey boils, add mixture and cook till water evaporates.
- Add Kewra Water . Don't miss this as this lends the authentic flavor to Motichoor Laddoos.
- Take out in a bowl and allow to cool.
- Once cool form Balls.
Option 1 -Using Brown Sugar as a sweetener
- Add 1/2 cup Brown Sugar in a Pan. For 1.5 cups of Bengal Gram mixture, take 1/2 cup of Sugar. If you are making all laddoos using sugar, then use 1 cup of sugar.
- Add the same quantity of water to sugar. Half cup water for Half cup sugar.
- Let sugar syrup boil till it is of one string consistency.
- Add a few drops of yellow or orange food color of your choice. You can use either powder food color or liquid food color.
- Add Bengal gram Mixture.
- Cook till water evaporates.
- Add Kewra Water . Don't miss this as this lends the authentic flavor to Motichoor Laddoos.
- Take out in a bowl and allow to cool.Once cool form Balls.
- Serve these healthy Laddus this festive season and have a healthier celebration.
Nutrition Facts
16 servings per container
- Amount Per ServingCalories137
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat
4.3g
7%
- Saturated Fat 2.2g 12%
- Cholesterol 10.64mg 4%
- Sodium 5.41mg 1%
- Potassium 104.4mg 3%
- Total Carbohydrate
23.34g
8%
- Dietary Fiber 1.55g 7%
- Sugars 16.71g
- Protein 2.6g 6%
- Vitamin C 1%
- Calcium 1%
- Iron 5%
- Magnesium 3%
* The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.