Coconut Diya and Lentils

Today is a special day for Goddess Saraswathi (Goddess of education), why only this day??? Anyways years back we (me and my brother) would long for Saraswathi Pooja, just because this is the only day when elders ask kids not to study yahoooooo... Holiday for Saraswathi!!! oh not really, but officially elders say not to study for a day... Above all there will be lotsa sweets and snacks awaiting us throughout the day, when we near dusk all kinds fear creep in about the next day studying, anyway thats part of life... I wanted to make a special sweet for a special occasion then came the thought of Coconut Diya.

My Diya may not be perfect enough, I dint take much time to craft it well I say... I lil secret I would share with you, I dint have milk powder, rather had Infant Formula which I substituted for Milk Powder ha ha ha...



Ingredients:

Coconut Powder - 1 cup
Milk Powder - 3/4 cup
Water - 1 cup
Sugar - 2 tbsps
Cardamom Pod - 1

For Decoration:

Sprinkles
Pista



Method:

1. In a bowl add Water and Milk Powder and mix well. Heat the mixture on low heat stirring frequently.
2. Add Sugar and mix well then add the Powdered Coconut. Grind the Cardamom Seeds and discard the pod and sprinkle over the mixture.
3. Cook until the mixture is thick enough to roll them into balls. Let it cool.
4. Roll them into small balls and make a nossel to resemble a Diya or cover a diya with a plastic sheet, place the ball and press to take the shape of the diya.
5. Decorate with Sprinkles and place a Pista for the light.



Lenthils:



Lenthils are not never a difficult dish to make... Soak the Lenthils for a few hours they will take a lotta Water, after around 4 hours they will be bulged up. Boil Lenthils in Water and Salt in just 5 mins they will be cooked.

In a pan heat Oil once Oil is hot add Mustard Seeds and let it crackle, then goes Curry leaves and Red Chillies and a pinch of Salt. When Onion turns golden toss the boiled Lenthils and let it stand for a few mins and serve hot.