"Laddoos"

(Gram flour balls in syrup)

Ingredients: (makes 15 / 20)

For the Syrup:

• 250g sugar

• 1 litre water

• 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder

Other ingredients:

• 1/2 kg gram flour (besan)

• 1 level teaspoon sodium bicarbonate

• A good pinch of yellow colouring

• 2 tablespoons sultanas

• 2 tablespoons chopped almonds

• Oil for deep frying

Method:

1. Make up syrup by boiling together the given ingredients for 10 to 15 minutes.

2. Make a rather thick batter with the flour, sodium bicarbonate, yellow colouring and water.

3. Pour batter through a slotted spoon into hot oil and deep fry until golden, in batches.

4. Drain each batch and put in syrup. Press them down well into the syrup so that they absorb it. Then remove and keep on a large tray.

5. Continue in the same way until all the batter in used up - frying, dipping in syrup, draining and keep on a tray.

6. When cool, add sultanas and almonds and mix well. Bind into small balls and serve.

NOTE: We would like to say a big thank you to the author of the recipe book called "Mauritian Delights", Mrs Lalita Sookhee,  who has kindly given  us the authorisation to copy some of the recipes that are in her book. If you wish to buy the "Mauritian Delights" recipe book which contains over 300 absolutely delicious mauritian recipes, please contact Mrs Lalita Sookee at Lsookhee@usa.net   or Connect@netcourrier.com. Her address is as follows: 1 Farquhar Street, Quatre-Bornes, Mauritius.      Telephone number: 230-425-3803 or 230-750-1860.      Fax number: 230-425-3803.