Chandrakala !!!

Chandrakala, is probably the most popular Indian sweet.  Every state has its own different version.  Homemade pastry sheets are stuffed with mava, sugar and nuts which is deep fried first and soaked in sugar syrup. 

Ingredients :

For the dough :

1. All purpose flour /Maida - 1 cup
2. Ghee - 1 tbsp
3. Salt - a pinch
4. Cold water for kneading
5. Nuts for garnishing
6. Oil for deep frying

For the stuffing :

1. Sugarless Khova - 1/2 cup
2. Sugar, powdered - 1/4 cup (as per your taste)
3. Desiccated coconut - 1/4 cup
4. Nuts (Cashewnuts, badam & pista) - 2 tbsp
5. Cardamom powder - 1/2 tsp

For sugar syrup :

1. Sugar - 1 cup
2. Water - 1/4 cup
3. Saffron strands - 3 nos (optional)

Method :

1.   Sieve flour and salt together.  Add ghee & rub the flour using your fingers which resembles like a breadcrumbs.  Add enough cold water & knead the dough.  Keep aside for 30 mins.

2.   Prepare the sugar syrup to single thread consistency.  Add saffron strands for additional flavour.

3.  For the stuffing, mix together khova, sugar, desiccated coconut, nuts & cardamom powder.  Keep aside.

4.  Divide & roll the dough into small sized pooris.  Fill the poori with the stuffing in the middle & seal the edges with water.  Once sealed, make spirals around the corner.   

5.   Heat oil over the medium heat & fry them till golden brown on either sides.  Drain the excess oil in the tissue.

6.   Dip & soak the chandrakala's in the sugar syrup for 5 mins.  Remove them from the sugar syrup & garnish it with chopped nuts on top.

Enjoy :)