Kadakani | Crispy Sweet Puri

India is a true example of its culture and traditions. People celebrate all Indian festivals with different traditions and flavors that vary from region to region. In our country there's unity in diversity, where every religion and community celebrates their culture openly. 

Vijaya Dasami is one of the Major Hindu festival, celebrated at the end of Navratri. Navratri is celebrated for 9 days in the month of Ashvin, people do fast for these 9 days and the tenth day is celebrated as Durga Puja/Dussehra. This festival is a joyous celebration of the victory of good over evil. It invites the divinity in all respects. 

Dussehra is celebrated in different regions of India in different way. The culture, customs and food vary from place to place. Today's Recipe from Panda's Kitchen is "Kadakani", locally called as "Crispy Sweet Puri".  It's a Maharashtrian Delight, prepared on the day of Saptami and offered to Goddess Lakshmi. People do eat these savories during the Navratri fast also.

 Ingredients :

• 1 cup Maida 
• 2 tbsp Sooji/Rava 
• 1/2 cup Powdered Sugar 
• 1/2 tsp Cardamom Powder 
• 2 tbsp Hot Oil 
• A pinch of Salt 
• Milk to knead (Water also can be used) 
• Refined Oil/ Ghee for Frying
  

Recipe Details : 

✓ Sieve Maida in a bowl. Add sooji, salt, powdered sugar, salt, Cardamom powder to it. Mix these dry ingredients together.

✓ Add oil to it. Mix everything nicely until flour starts binding together.

✓ Add milk gradually and start kneading to make a firm dough.

✓ Apply a little oil and keep aside, covered for around 15-20 mins.

✓ Knead again one more time and divide in 3-4 equal balls.

✓ Take one ball, cover with maida and roll it to make Puris, as thin as possible. With the use of a bowl or any round cutter, cut small Puris out of it. Repeat the same for all balls. Using a fork make holes so that it doesn't puff while Frying.

✓ Heat oil in a kadai. Fry the Puris one by one in medium flame till both the sides turn light brown in color. Take out in a tissue to soak the oil.

✓ Tips: You can use water to knead in stead of milk.
Jaggery also can be used in stead of sugar and Wheat flour in stead of Maida.
For frying and binding, ghee also can be used. It gives a nice aroma.
At any point, never keep the Puris together. Because of sugar they may stick to each other.