How to Make Besan Ki Barfi for Diwali

Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights. It celebrates the triumph of good over evil as well as hope for mankind for the future. It is celebrated in India by lighting a variety of different lamps and by setting off fireworks. It is also celebrated with a myriad of delicious traditional foods, like besan ki barfi (or besan burfi), a sweet, candy-like dessert made with sugar and raisins.

Things You'll Need

• 2 tbsps ghee
• 1/4 cup kismis (raisins)
• Decorative plate or platter for serving to make the occasion special
• 1 cup powdered (confectioner's) sugar
• Board for rolling out batter
• Medium sized saucepan
• 1 cup besan (gram flour)

Instructions

Make a Simple Besan Ki Barfi for Diwali

1. Heat the ghee in a medium-sized saucepan, then add the gram flour.

2. Cook ghee and gram flour together for a few minutes on medium-low heat, making sure the color of the gram flour does not change.

3. Add sugar and continue to stir for another minute or two. Remove from heat.

4. Add raisins and cardamom powder and mix thoroughly.

5. Remove from pan and spread out onto rolling board. Allow to cool until firm.

6. Cut into squares of desired size and serve.

Tips & Warnings

• Besan, also called gram flour, is made from a form of dried, ground chickpea, called a chana dal. Chana dal is smaller and darker than regular chickpeas.

• Ghee is a form of clarified butter, separated into milk solids and butter fat. It can be made by melting butter and boiling it for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring frequently, until brown milk solids can be found at the bottom of the pan.

• Cardamom powder is a spice used throughout the world, including India, for a number of things, including baking and seasoning meat and fish.

• Either black raisins or golden raisins can be used, or a combination of both.

• Do not use margarine, vegetable oil spread or any other form of butter substitute when you make ghee for your besan ki barfi. Only use 100 percent real butter.

• Be very careful when cooking with sugar. Sugar burns easily. Keep it on a low heat and keep a close watch on it, stirring frequently.

Resources

• More about the celebration and traditions of Diwali
• More traditional Diwali recipes