Mohanthal

Mohanthal, a delicious sweet made of chickpea flour is the specialty of Gujaratis. Yes, all Gujaratis love mohanthal and my husband likes it soft and warm. Heating up a piece or 2 of this mohanthal/besan barfi with a table spoon of milk makes it soft and super delicious. That is how my mother in law first served me Mohanthal when I got engaged to my husband. My mother in law makes the best Mohanthal. Last time she was here, I made it a point to learn the exact technique of making danedar mohanthal, and this was the one I made it myself. I was so amazed and excited on my first ever trial of making successful mohanthal that I made a new batch the next day. It is easier than what I thought it would be!! 

I know I have got various requests for posting Mohanthal recipe. I am sorry for not being able to post this recipe last week. I was busy with prepping for the Annakut celebration. Check out pictures here.

Ingredients
1 cup besan/chickpea flour/ચણા નો લોટ
3/4 cup sugar/સાકર

1/2 cup ghee/ઘી 

1/4 cup mawa/khoya/માવો 

1/4 cup milk/દૂધ 

1/4 cup water/પાણી 

pinch of saffron/કેસર 

1/4 tsp. cardamom powder/એલચી નો ભોકો 

Slivered almonds and pistachios for garnishing/બદામ અને પિસ્તા ની કતરી

• Mix sugar and water in a container and keep it aside till it is time to make the sugar syrup. Keep few strands of saffron and 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder ready. You will need some slivered almonds and pistachios for garnishing. 
• In a broad heavy bottom pan or nonstick pan heat ghee on low heat till it melts and slightly warm.
• Take chickpea flour/besan in a plate. Add milk and 3 tbsp. of warm melted ghee to it. Mix lightly and rub between your palms. This steps creates tiny granules which will make mohanthal granular in texture and delicious to eat. Mix well for 3-4 minutes.
• Add the granulated besan mixture to the remaining ghee in the pan and roast it on low to medium heat till it browns. This should take around 15 minutes. 
• While this is roasting. Heat sugar water mixture. Bring it to boil on high heat and then simmer while the besan mixture is roasting. Add saffron strands and cardamom powder for flavor.
• When besan mixture has nicely browned, turn off the heat and add mawa/khoya to it. The heat will help it to warm nicely. Mix well for a minute.
• Gently add sugar syrup to the roasted besan mixture. It will start bubbling and maybe turn liquid. Do not worry. Keep on mixing it well. As the mixture cools it will start to thicken. Mix well for 3-4 minutes. 
• Pour and spread the mixture into a greased plate. 
• Garnish with slivered almonds and pistachios. Press them in well with flat surface of a greased spoon.
• Cool slightly and cut into pieces.

In a broad heavy bottom pan or nonstick pan heat ghee on low heat till it melts and slightly warm.

Take chickpea flour/besan in a plate. Add milk and 3 tbsp. of warm melted ghee to it. Mix lightly and rub between your palms. This steps creates tiny granules which will make mohanthal granular in texture and delicious to eat. Mix well for 3-4 minutes.
Add the granulated besan mixture to the remaining ghee in the pan and roast it on low to medium heat till it browns. This should take around 15 minutes.

While this is roasting. Heat sugar water mixture. Bring it to boil on high heat and then simmer while the besan mixture is roasting. Add saffron strands and cardamom powder for flavor.

When chickpea flour is roasted turn off the heat

Add 1/4 cup of fresh soft mawa/khoya to the mixture. 

Mix well for a minute.

Add sugar syrup to roasted mixture and stir well. The mixture will bubble, but do not worry.
As it starts to cool it thicken. Add slivered almonds and pistachios. Pour and spread the mixture in a greased plate. Garnish with slivered almonds and pistachios. Press them into mohanthal mixture. Let Mohanthal cool slightly and then cut into pieces.

Wishing you all A Very Happy Diwali!!