SWEET KARAMANI SUNDAL

                                                      NAVARATHRI - DAY 10 (She is called Mookambika)

VIJAYADASHAMI........victory of Goddess Durga over the Rakshas Mahishasur. Goddess had to fight against him for 9 nights and 10 days, and Vijayadashami means, Victory on the 10th day.
On this day, Vidyarambam, (commencing the school) takes place. The child is made to write for the first time on the rice spread over a plate, guided by her/his dad.

I chose to make Sweet Sundal with Red black eyed chick peas, which have amazing health benefits. They help us maintain cholesterol levels, control blood cholesterol, regulates blood sugar levels, help reduce cardiovascular risks, keep fatal diseases away, treat pancreatic problems, cure bowel related issues, and good for weight loss too.

Ingredients

Red Karamani - 3/4 cup

Jaggery - 1/2 + 1/8 cups

Cardamom powder - a pinch

Red chilli powder - 1/8 tsp

Salt - a very tiny pinch

Grated coconut - 3 tsps

To Season

Ghee - 1 tsp

Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp

Slit green chilli- 1

Recipe Cuisine: South Indian; Category: Snacks/ Neivedhyam

Prep time: 5 mts; Cooking time: 10 mts

Serves 4

Red Karamani soaked in hot water for 3 hours

Pressure cooked and let alone to cool down

Add 1/4 cup water to the measured jaggery in a pan. When the jaggery melts.....

                                                           Strain to check impurities

Set jaggery to boil, also adding cardamom and chilli powders. Allow to boil and thicken

Add the grated coconut too.

When jaggery syrup becomes considerably thick, add the cooked Karamani, which would have cooled down by now.Add a pinch of salt too.

While the  Karamani is boiling and taking in the jaggery and other flavours...keep another pan, season in ghee mustard seeds and the slit green chilli, and....

pour on top of the Karamani and give a good stir.

When they have merged well, it will leave the sides of the vessel. Switch off at this time. It may appear to be a bit loose, but it will solidify as it cools down.

You can garnish 1 tsp of grated coconut, and that makes  a good contrast!

Notes

*The same sweet Sundal can be made with white variety too.

*Adding chilli powder and a green chilli gives a small zing to the Sundal.

Categories: Festival Delicacies, Navarathri Neivedhyams, Sundal Varieties