Having spent his childhood in Lucknow, Chef Ravi Saha remembers the Diwali festivities starting from Dussehra itself. He fondly reminisces how the festival was all about family, diya patterns and special recipes. Among all the sweets and preparations, khoya gujiya were a favourite and served along with the grand festive meal as a traditional sweet dish by his mom. It has been his best dessert ever since and Ravi Saha takes a walk down the memory lane by sharing its simple recipe.

Iss Diwali make the gujiya we say!

Portions: 20 khoya gujiya

Ingredients:

600 gm maida (refined wheat flour)
500 gm desi ghee
25 gm cardamom powder
200 gm sugar
200 gm khoya (milk solids)
2 medium coconuts (grated)

The crust:

• Take around 600 gm of flour and 5 gm cardamom powder in a mixing bowl.
• Rub the ingredients in the bowl with your hands till you get a crumbly but consistent texture.
• Keep adding water, a little bit at a time, and kneading till you get a soft dough. Cover this dough with a damp cloth and keep it aside.

The filling:

• Heat about 50 gms of ghee in the pan. Add the grated coconut to the pan followed by the cardamom powder and stir.
• Now add the khoya and the sugar and keep stirring and sauteing the ingredients for 5 minutes at a low flame.
• The distinct aroma of the khoya after about 5 minutes is the indicator of the filling being ready.
• You will also notice some excess oil oozing out on the pan.
  Keep this aside and let it cool.

Making the Gujiya:

• Divide the dough into 20 equal parts rolled into small balls and then further into rounds with a 4” diameter each.
• Divide the filling into 20 equal parts and roll them in the palm of your hands.
• Place the filling in the rounds and fold it into a semicircle.
• Press and fold the edges to seal the filling.
• Heat about 400gms of ghee and deep fry the gujiyas till they attain a golden brown colour.
• Make sure that you deep fry the gujiya in batches of four and drain them on paper towels.
  The gujiya are now ready to be served.

Isn’t that an easy-peasy recipe? Make some right away and relish the good ol’ festive memories with friends and family! Here’s wishing you a very happy diwali