Paasi Paruppu Urundai (Moong Dal Sweet balls)

The practice of taking home made goodies when we go to visit folks was common until just a few years ago. Now this practice is slowly eroding, there is nothing wrong, why spend hours in front of a stove when it is just easy to go to a store and buy the same. But the fun in making them has its own allure. Sweets like this paasi paruppu urundai is not commonly found in stores, in those rare instances when it is found it is glamorized and loses its simple taste.

Made with just sugar and ghee besides the dal, it is a non sinful treat and also packs a protein punch. It can even pass off as a health food.

Green Earth
Remember the days when plastic bottles and containers with only a certain number in the recycle triangle could be set aside for recycling. Now curbside recycling in most counties accept all plastic products except plastic wraps, plastic bags and styrofoam. Also care should be taken to dispose of plastic containers that held hazardous chemicals or paints.

Plastic bags can be recycled in most grocery stores.

This is the accepted list of plastic products in our county. Check with your county website for a list of acceptable items in your area.

Ingredients
1. 2 Cups of split Moong Dal with skin on
2. 2 Cups of sugar (1 3/4 cups would have been just right)
3. 2 tbsp of broken cashews
4. 4 cardamom pods
5. Ghee from 1 1/3 stick of butter (if you want perfectly shaped rounds increase the ghee)

Method
1. In a wide mouthed pan roast the moong dal and the cardamom pods together till the dal starts turning slightly brown. Transfer immediately to a plate to cool.
2. In another pan heat a bit of ghee and roast the cashews.
3. Mix the moong dal and sugar and powder in a blender. It does not have to be too fine a powder.
4. Mix in the roasted cashews.
4. Heat the ghee and add to the dal powder and mix with a spoon.
5. Make desired sized round balls.

Pop one or two in the mouth to start the day with a protein punch ;)