Easy Multigrain Ladoos for your little Superman!

Kids these days are no less than Superman; inundated with a whale of activities, their schedules are tighter than ours. How does a concerned mum, like you and me, ensure their energy flow is continual throughout the day? I found my answer in the form of these simple to make Multigrain Ladoos. 

Multigrain Ladoos are a highly nutritious and energetic avatar of the usual besan or rava ladoos that we all are in love with. Flour of one grain or pulse is replaced by flour which carries the powers of all grains and pulses combined together and when kids devour these ladoos they get the benefits of all in one. In addition, these ladoos also have edible gum with its own nutritive quotient and that crackle kind of mouth feel which kids enjoy. Thanks to Chota Bheem, kids are well aware of Ladoos and don’t mind gulping down a few since their superhero loves them too. 

Multigrain flour is easily available these days at high-end grocery stores. If you find difficulty in sourcing it, then have it ground fresh at a local chakki by mixing grains and pulses of your choice. One can blend as many as 21 grains and pulses together to make the flour. I have sometimes made small quantities of multigrain flour at home too, by individually roasting the various grains and pulses first followed by grinding them to a fine powder in the mixer. Multigrain flour is heavy on the stomach and it is not possible to eat more than one Multigrain ladoo in one go. Make smaller sized laddoos for your kids and then increase the size depending upon how their stomach accepts the product. 

The best part about these ladoos is that they are free from any mawa or milk which makes them a good travel snack that keep well even without refrigeration.  I often make small batches that last a week or so and store them in an air-tight container at room  temperature.  Urge you to prepare these for your kids as a in-between snack or a travel snack they will definitely enjoy it  with relish.

Easy Multigrain Ladoos Recipe

Makes 8 ladoos (size as shown in the image) 

Ingredients

• 1 cup readymade Multigrain flour or an equal mix of gram flour, rice flour, wheat flour, moong bean flour, ragi flour, etc
• ¾ cup grated jaggery (gur)
• ½ teaspoon cardamom (elaichi) powder
• 1.5 tablespoon edible gum (gunder, gond, dink)
• 2 tablespoon ghee (clarified butter)
• 2 tablespoon coarsely ground mixed dried fruits like almonds, pistas, cashews, charoli, etc
• 2 tablespoon desiccated coconut

Method

Step 1: In a heavy bottomed pan, lightly roast desiccated coconut powder till it gives out an aroma. Remove the coconut and keep aside.

Step 2: In the same pan, heat ghee till it smokes. Lower flame and add the edible gum. Stir till the gum increases in size and is completely cooked. 

Step 3: Remove the gum in a dry bowl and keep aside. Leave the residue ghee in the pan itself. Edible gum tends to stick so separate or lightly break it into small bits before using further. 

Step 4: In the same pan, lightly roast the multigrain flour and cardamom powder together till it turns light brown and gives out an aroma. 

Step 5: Immediately, add in the edible gum, dry fruit powder and desiccated coconut. Give one stir and switch off the flame. 

Step 6: Transfer contents into a big dry mixing bowl, add the jaggery. Working on it immediately, mix everything together well with fingertips and start to form laddoos. Mixture will be hot but that is the only way the laddoos will acquire shape and remain intact.

Step 7: Store laddoos in a dry air-tight container. They remain without refrigeration for a few days since there is no dairy ingredient in them. However, the coconut is a risky ingredient and will remain good for a few days only. For longer storage period, it is best to refrigerate them. 

So let your kids feel happy and charged up all day with  these lip smacking laddoos like Chota Bheem.

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