How to Make Doodh Peda for Diwali

Doodh peda, also called Pala Kova, is a sweet dessert item found in Indian cuisine. It is a traditional food used to celebrate the Hindu festival of Diwali, also called Deepavali, the festival of lights. Diwali is the celebration of the triumph of good over evil and of hope for Mankind. It is celebrated by lighting lights of all kinds, including setting off fireworks.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Large plate
• Serving platter
• Large pot or deep pan, that can hold a full gallon of milk
• Spoon
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 gallon whole milk

Make Traditional Doodh Peda for Diwali

1. Heat the pot or pan to medium high heat and pour in milk. Bring to a boil. You may want to use a non-stick pan to avoid messy cleanup later.
2. Boil milk for 2 hours, stirring every 2 to 3 minutes.
3. Add sugar to thickened milk. Reduce heat to medium.
4. Stir constantly on medium heat for another 30 to 45 minutes.
5. Remove from heat when mixture is thick enough to clump when pressed together, and be formed into a ball.
6. Ladle mixture onto a plate or dish and let cool completely before manipulating it.
7. Form into balls of desired size. Use ice cream scoop, if desired, to make perfect balls.
8. Dust lightly with powdered (confectioner's) sugar and/or caramom powder for a festive and delicious finish.

Tips & Warnings

• This is a fairly simple dish to make, but is also very involved and time consuming. It takes 3 hours to make.
• For the first 2 hours of preparing this dish, you can multi-task if you wish, in between stirring the milk every 2 to 3 minutes. The last hour requires constant vigilance.
• If you wish, milk can be flavored with almonds and pistachios.
• By the end of 2 hours, milk will be reduced and thick and a light brown color, like sandal wood.
• Doodh Peda can be made into a number of different forms, including squares, round balls, or molded into more interesting shapes, if you desire. Try molding your doodh peda into the shape of a lamp, to symbolize the Diwali festival.
• Only use whole milk to make doodh peda.
• Be especially careful after you add the sugar. Sugar burns easily. Watch the mixture very carefully, stirring constantly.