Mohanthal

Mohanthal is a traditional Indian sweet, particularly popular in the state of Gujarat. It’s made from besan (gram flour), ghee (clarified butter), sugar, and flavored with cardamom and nuts. Here’s a detailed recipe for making Mohanthal:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup besan (gram flour)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup ghee (clarified butter)
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
• A pinch of saffron strands (optional)
• 1 tablespoon chopped almonds and pistachios for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preparation:

1. Grease a plate or tray with a little ghee and keep it aside.
2. Chop the almonds and pistachios finely and set them aside.

2. Roasting Besan:

1. Heat a heavy-bottomed pan or kadai on medium heat.
2. Add ghee to the pan and let it melt.
3. Once the ghee is melted, add the besan to the pan.
4. Roast the besan on low to medium heat, stirring continuously to avoid burning.
5. Keep roasting until the besan turns aromatic and changes color to a golden brown. This process may take around 15-20 minutes.

3. Making Sugar Syrup:

1. While the besan is roasting, in another pan, add sugar and milk.
2. Heat this mixture on low heat, stirring continuously until the sugar dissolves completely.
3. Once the sugar dissolves, increase the heat to medium and let the syrup come to a boil.
4. Boil the syrup until it reaches a one-string consistency. To check, take a drop of syrup between your thumb and index finger; it should form a single string when the fingers are pulled apart gently.

4. Combining Besan and Sugar Syrup:

1. Once the besan is roasted and the sugar syrup reaches the desired consistency, carefully pour the sugar syrup into the roasted besan.
2. Be cautious as the mixture may splutter. Stir continuously to avoid lumps.
3. Cook the mixture on low heat for another 5-7 minutes until it thickens slightly.
4. Add cardamom powder and saffron strands (if using), and mix well.

5. Setting Mohanthal:

1. Pour the mixture onto the greased plate or tray.
2. Using a spatula or back of a spoon, spread it evenly.
3. Garnish with chopped almonds and pistachios, pressing them gently into the mixture.
4. Let it cool for about 20-30 minutes.

6. Cutting and Serving:

1. Once cooled, cut the Mohanthal into desired shapes – squares or diamonds.
2. Serve and enjoy this delicious traditional Indian sweet!

Tips:

• Make sure to roast the besan on low to medium heat to prevent burning.
• Stir the besan continuously while roasting to ensure even cooking.
• Similarly, keep stirring the sugar syrup to prevent it from burning.
• You can adjust the sweetness of Mohanthal according to your preference by increasing or decreasing the amount of sugar.
• Mohanthal stays fresh for a few days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature.