Til ke laddoo

Here is a superfood whose recipes you won’t have to look up because your grandmother probably garnished your meals with it anyway. Every winter, we’re sure there were huge stocks of til ke laddoo at home. And why not? Sesame is a great source of protein and has many health benefits.

The high magnesium count in sesame helps counter diabetes and reduce blood pressure. It’s chock full of phytosterols, which can keep cholesterol issues at bay. The high fibre content helps with digestion. From anaemia to arthritis, sesame seeds and oil can help your body recover from diseases and rejuvenate your health completely.

And did I mention just how amazing it tastes? The nutty flavour and crunchy texture make it easy to add sesame to anything, from salads to curries, dips to desserts.

Til ke laddoo make winters a much better time for people in North India because this seed is as warming as it is delicious. These laddoos are crunchy, sweet and just perfect for snack-time as well as dessert.

Ingredients:

• Sesame seeds or til – 1 1/4 cups (dry roasted)
• Jaggery – 1 cup (roughly chopped)
• Groundnuts – 1/4 cup (dry roasted, roughly chopped)
• Ghee – 1 tbsp
• Cardamom powder – 1/2 tsp

Method:

• Heat ghee in a non-stick pan. Add the jaggery, and let it melt slowly. Stir occasionally.
• Once the jaggery has formed a smooth paste, add the sesame seeds, groundnuts and cardamom powder. Keep stirring and cook the whole mix for a minute to let the flavours infuse.
• Take the pan off the heat and allow it to cool down a little. Wet your hands, take a small portion of the mix and gently roll it into a laddoo. Follow the same process with the rest of the mixture. Store the laddoos in a dry, air-tight jar.