Mihidana

A dessert popular in West Bengal, Mihidana is originally from the Bardhaman district. It is basically made of gram flour or besan mixed with water to make watery dough that ispassed through a sieve and deep-fried in clarified butter or ghee and soaked in sugar syrup. The result is a fine long sweet and crispy treat that can be garnished with finely chopped dried fruitsof your choice like raisins or prunes. This is an indepensable treat in India and West Bengal even got a patent in making the sweet.

Ingredients:

300gms gram flour or besan

300ml of vegetable or any cooking oil/clarified butter or ghee

2 cups sugar

1 liter water

1 table spoon dry fruits of your choice, finely chopped

Preparation:

1.       In a bowl mix besan or gram flour with enough water to form a thin liquid paste that is free flowing.

2.       To make sugar syrup, heat water in a pan and add sugar to it. Blend well. Allow it to cook for about 5-6 minutes or till the desired consistency is reached.

3.       In a deep pan heat ghee or clarified butter and pass the besan batter though a sieve so that it forms small round balls on medium flame till golden brown. While still warm transfer them to the sugar syrup.

4.       Allow it to soak for about 30 minutes and then drain the excess water and set aside.

5.       To this mix the finely chopped dry fruits and serve is a pudding dish.