Badam Burfi

'Asatoma Sadhgamaya, Thamasoma Jyotirgamaya'. Diwali is the festival of Lakshmi, the Goddess of prosperity and wealth. It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi visits everyone during Diwali and brings peace and prosperity to all. Deepavali, as it is called in South India, is always fun since childhood. We get to wear new clothes, decorate the home with diyas, burst crackers, have wonderful delicacies prepared by mom and the mood is festive for all the 3 days of Deepavali. Badam burfi is one of the common sweets specially prepared on Deepavali and offered to Goddess Lakshmi. Here is the recipe I learnt from my mother-in law :)


Ingredients -
200 gms almonds/badam (soaked overnight)
250 gms of sugar
1/2 cup of milk
2 tbsp ghee
1/2 tsp cardamom powder


Method-
1. Wash the almonds and soak it overnight, preferably (Atleast 4-5 hrs minimum)
2. Drain the water and remove the peel.
3. Grind the almonds into a fine paste adding milk little by little.
4. In a thick-bottomed skillet, add the almond paste and sugar.
5. Mix the sugar well along with the paste and keep stirring constantly since the mixture burns easily if left unstirred.
6. Add a tsp of ghee and keep stirring. When the mixture leaves the sides of the pan, turn off the heat and add cardamom powder.
7. Grease the leftover ghee on the working surface and rolling pin. Pour the mixture on the working surface, and spread it evenly with a rolling pin to about 1/2 inch thickness.
8. Allow the mixture to cool for about 5 mins and cut it into diamond/square shapes.
9. Garnish with chopped almonds, if desired.