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Arcot Makkan peda

Makkan peda/ Arcot Makkan Peda is the melt in the mouth delicious dry fruit filled dairy based sweet brought to South India by the Nawabs.
Course Dessert
Cuisine South Indian
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings 20 pieces
Calories

Ingredients

  • 1.5 cups Mawa /Khoya- Make mawa with milk powder-recipe below
  • 1.5 cups Maida
  • 1/4 tsp Cooking soda
  • 10 Almond pistachios, cashew -5 to 10 each chopped
  • 10 Raisins - 10-15
  • Veg oil - for deep frying
  • If using below microwaved mawa recipe given below then need not add ghee or else add ghee + vanaspati - 2 tbsp

Sugar syrup

  • 2. 5 cups Sugar
  • 2. 5 cups Water

Instructions

  • Note : How to make mawa/Khoya in microwave in 3 minutesMake mawa by mixing 1 1/2 cups of milk powder + 2 tbsp unsalted butter/ghee + 1-2 tbsp whole milk. Mix this into a crumbled wet consistency( add milk just enough to wet the milk powder)and microwave it for 2 1/2 -3 minutes by mixing it every 30 seconds so it does not rise and spill. Until the dry mawa texture is attained.
  • Mix the mawa , maida, cooking soda, (if adding) ghee + vanaspati. Sprinkle 1-2 tsps water and knead it into a dough. Allow it to rest for 15 minutes covered.
    For making sugar syrup:Meanwhile boil the water for the syrup first *then add sugar (this reduces the cooking time by half )wait for a minute until the sugar dissolves  then lower the heat to medium-low and allow it to thicken into a syrupy consistency.(which takes 5-7 minutes).Then keep it on the lowest flame possible until u drop the first set of pedas into it. (If u boil the syrup in full flame it alters the taste of sugar gives slight bitterness)Now u should be ready to fry the peda and drop into the hot syrup (the hot syrup ensures peda soaks and absorbs the sugar)
  • For making peda:Take the dough and make lemon sized rounds of equal size then take a round make a depression in the center and fill it with a pinch of chopped nuts and raisins mixture . Close and seal edges and shape it back to smooth rounds slightly flatten the top.Repeat same to fill all the rounds. Keep each one on a plate without touching each other.
  • Heat oil then reduce flame to medium heat. (There should be enough oil to submerge the peda completely ) Add 5-6 pedas and fry to golden brown by turning one side to another very gently.Ensure all sides are evenly colored. It will take about 5-7 minutes in right temperature.
  • Crush some pistachios and decorate on top.Serve the makkan peda as a dessert for any special occasion.

Notes

  • If heat is more : It will fry very fast and the inside will not be cooked
    If heat is low then the pedas would begin to crack and break and the filling would come out. If u see them cracking slightly on top increase heat immediately to prevent it. Then lower it again gradually.
  • When the peda is fried remove it on to a paper towel roll it three or four times on it and immediately transfer into the sugar syrup.Allow the makkan pedas to soak for 2 hours and overnight for best results. (Use a flat bowl for soaking in a single layer as the pedas will expand and break if stacked in a deep dish)
  • Caution : These are very tender and can break easily if not fried with care.