Karanji

Ganesh Chaturthi is a very popular festival, which is celebrated all over India, over a period of ten days. The celebration includes fasting, feasting and distribution Prasad (sweets offered to Lord Ganesha). Karanji is one of the special recipes for Ganesh Chaturthi. It is very easy to cook and great to eat. Go ahead and enjoy the occasion by preparing delicious Karanji and soaking yourself completely in the festive spirit. The recipe given below will provide you with details on the ingredients required as well as the method of preparation.

Karanji Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup Wheat Flour
• 3 tbsp Ghee
• 1 pinch Salt
• ½ litre Oil (for frying)
• 1 cup Grated Coconut
• 3¼ cups Sugar
• 1½ cups Milk
• Few Almonds
• Few Raisins
• 1/2 tsp Cardamom Powder
• 1 tbsp Poppy seeds

Method

Basic
In a bowl mix salt, flour and ghee. Rub in well. Gradually add water and knead to form firm dough. Cover with wet cloth and set aside.

For Stuffing 
Cook the coconut (use fresh or dried), sugar, milk, chopped almonds and raisins, cardamom powder, and poppy seeds (optional) till the milk evaporate.

The Rest

• Divide the dough into 20-25 sections, roll them out into flat round pancakes. Place a spoon of stuffing at the centre and fold the pancake in half.
• Use a cutter to create the fluted crescent border and cut off excess dough. You can seal the edges by applying a little milk and pressing down hard.
• After all the karanjis are stuffed, fry them in very hot oil for 2-3 minutes or till golden brown, remove onto paper towels and allow to cool.