Besan Gujiya for Ganeshotsav

Om Ganeshaya Namah!

I have posted the recipe for the delicious Indian dessert Gujiya before. Then the blog was not even a year old and it was one of my most liked recipes! Check the recipe of Gujiya here :

Gujia(Half Moon shaped stuffed pastry).

Today I am posting the recipe of Besan Gujiya for the famous festival of Ganesh Chaturthi or Ganeshotsav as it is widely called!It is made to honour Lord Ganesh – the Indian Elephant God who is one of the most important Gods as His name is chanted before starting something new for an auspicious beginning.

Ganesh – The Indian Elephant God with His Mouse on which He travels….

This post was submitted for the 106th FoodieMonday Bloghop where the theme was Ganesh Chaturthi Special!

The filling tastes a little like Besan Laddu but is more of a delicious powder which is simply irresistible.No one stops at one!

Besan Gujiya…..

The Besan filling ….

Preparation Time : 1 hour

Makes : 9 Besan Gujiya

INGREDIENTS 

For the covering :

2 cups plus 4 tbsp all purpose flour (maida)

1/4 cup oil

1 tsp salt

Oil for frying

For the filling :

1 cup besan (chickpea flour/garbanzo beans flour)

1/8 cup/1 1/2 tbsp semolina (sooji)

1 cup powdered sugar

1/4 cup ghee

2 tsp Cardamom powder (elaichi)

2 tbsp Melon seeds (charmagaz)

METHOD

Make the filling :

Heat ghee on medium heat in a non stick pan and add the besan and sooji.Mix well and keep stirring till the besan releases an awesome aroma and becomes dark brown in colour.Be careful not to brown it too much as it would take on a burnt taste and aroma.Add melon seeds.They will pop and be roasted with the mixture.It would take 10 minutes.Take off heat and transfer to a plate to cool to room temperature.

After it completely cools down,add powdered sugar and cardamom powder.Now the mixture would be like a powder – aromatic and tasting awesome!Keep aside.

Make the “glue” :

Mix the 4 tbsp flour with 2 – 3 tbsp water and mix well to a thick paste.This is the “glue” for sealing the Gujiya.

Make the covering :

Take flour and salt in a bowl and add the 1/4 cup oil.Mix with the tips of your fingers till the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.Add enough water 1 – 2 tbsp at a time and bind the mixture into a hard dough.Take some oil on your fingers and coat the dough then knead it again to incorporate the oil.Keep it covered with a moist kitchen towel for 15 – 20 minutes.

Make the Gujiya :

Divide the dough into 7 – 8 portions and roll into 4 inch circles.Apply the prepared “glue” and place 1 tsp filling in between.Fold over to make a half moon shape and seal the edges.Either you can decorate the edges with the “pinch and press” method or use a Gujiya cutter to make a design like the Western Pie Crust edges.Make all the Gujiyas this way.

Use the cut out dough to make more Gujiyas!I could make 2 more!

Heat Oil on medium heat in a pan.Fry the Gujiya for 5 – 7 minutes on both sides till golden brown and puffed up.Cool to room temperature.

Offer to the Almighty Ganesh and enjoy the Gujiyas!

P. S. – Keep in an airtight container.They do not spoil for days and are more delicious the next day!

Ganapati Bappa Morya!