How to Prepare Rawa Laddu for a Hindu Dowry

Some Hindu brides prepare a pastry called rawa laddu to present to the groom's family as a gift or "edible dowry" prior to the wedding.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Decorated Tins
• 1 tbsp. fried cashew nuts
• 1 tbsp. fried raisins
• 1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
• 2 c. semolina
• 1 c. ghee
• 1 tsp. cardamom powder

1. Set aside some space in your kitchen to work.

2. Gather the following ingredients from an Indian market: 2 c. semolina or rawa (a coarsely ground durum wheat); 1 1/2 c. powdered sugar; 1 c. ghee (clarified butter); 1 tbsp. broken cashew nuts, fried; 1 tbsp. raisins, fried; 1 tsp. cardamom powder.

3. Increase the amount of the ingredients depending on how much you want to make. (This recipe serves six to eight.)

4. Heat a teaspoon of the ghee in a pan and roast the rawa until it turns pink.

5. Grind the cooked rawa with an electric mixer until it turns to a fine powder.

6. Add the powdered sugar to the rawa and mix again.

7. Heat the remainder of the ghee and add the powdered rawa mixture, cashew nuts, raisins and cardamom powder. Combine thoroughly in the pan.

8. Form into golf ball-sized balls while the batter remains warm.

9. Allow balls to cool.

10. Store in an airtight container.

Tips & Warnings

• Package the rawa laddu in a pretty container or tin.
• Invite family members of friends to gather and help you prepare the treats.
• Make a variety of sweets to offer the groom's family. Add other pastries such as jaangri and kai marukka to your dowry.
• Remember that the number of pastries you give is a reflection of your family's wealth and status.

on 11/22/2005 The rawa laddu is not a dowry item. In fact, it has got nothing to do with weddings or grooms. It's a sweet that is prepared on special occasions including weddings.