Gujarati Mohanthal (Gram flour dessert)

Mohanthal is a winter staple in my house. My mother used to make panfuls every year to satisfy our sweet tooths. This Diwali I have a special treat as mummy had made some for me when she was here. She eyeballs every recipe to perfection so this recipe is a closest approximate to her measurements.

Ingredients:

3 cups besan (gram flour)

1 1/2 cup sugar

3/4 cup water

3/4 cup Mava (Milk solids)

1 cup Ghee (Clarified butter)

10-12 Almonds
10-12 Pistachios

In a heavy bottomed pan saute the besan with ghee. Ghee should be added as much is needed to stir the flour. Saute till golden. Add the mava and mix well. Take the sugar in a separate pot and cover with water till just soaked. Heat to form heavy syrup. To test if the syrup is done, take syrup with a spoon and drop on plate. Wet your hands with cold water and try to form a ball. If it forms a ball, the syrup is ready. Mix with the besan, mava mixture. Take a thali or sheet pan and spread evenly. Decorate with slivered almonds and pistachios. Cut into squares or diamonds and serve.