Meena's Taste Mantra

Thinai Urrundai | Foxtail Millet Sweet Ladoo

Thinai is a healthy millet and we try to use it many forms. Be it as Idli | Dosa | Sweets | Payasam...Appa has an interesting perspective on Millets. He says these are usually found in deep wilderness and form a part of the nutrition of the tirbes that reside there. So a simple porridge, Pongal, Thinai Payasam or the Thaenum Thinai Maavum Ladoo used to be the known dishes.

Since people are becoming more health conscious, these Millets are gaining popularity and many dishes are being made using these Mighty Millets! These are gluten free and have a host of nutritional benefits and surprisingly can be easily substituted or with a reduced proportion for Rice in preparations such as Idli | Dosa | Pongal | Payasam

Amma decided to make a different Naivedhyam for today's Pujai - Thinai Urrundai. This is made with Jaggery.

Thinai Urrundai | Foxtail Millet Sweet Ladoo

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup Thinnai | Navanne | Kora | Kangini | Foxtail Millet

1/2 cup Vellam | Gur | Jaggery, grated

2 tsp Homemade Ghee | Clarified Butter

1/4 tsp Elaichi | Cardamom Powder

1 tblsp Cashew, chopped

1 tblsp Raisin

METHOD

In a pan, dry roast Thinai for about 5 minutes till an aromatic smell wafts across. Thinai should change colour slightly. Take care that Thinai does not get burnt. Transfer to a plate. Keep aside to cool.
Take the roasted Thinai in a mixie jar. Add elaichi powder. Grind this mixture to a coarse powder. You can grind it to a smooth texture too, but we prefer it a bit granular, like fine Semolina | Rava as it gives a crunch in every bite.

Add grated Jaggery and give it a pulse along with the coarsely powdered Thinai.
Remove this mix into a bowl.
In a small pan, heat the ghee to make it warm. Roast raisin and cashews in the ghee for about a minute. Switch off the flame.
Pour the ghee and the roasted raisins and cashews on top of the powdered Thinai - Jaggery mixture. Mix well.
Take the crumbled mixture and applying little pressure, make small lemon sized roundel. Similarly, make remaining ladoos.
This quantity makes about 12 Thinai Urrundais.
Store in an air tight container and enjoy these for about a month!

This is very easy to make. This can be made for any Puja as Prasadam, during festivals...or JLT :)

We have used:

1. Homemade Ghee | Clarified Butter

2. Naturally Yours Foxtail Millet

About C R Meena

(c) 2014 - 2016, Meena's Taste Mantra is the result of my ardent desire to share my recipes, with all who appreciate and celebrate food. These recipes are as a result of 60 years of cooking experience, influenced by tradition and exposure to various concepts, new recipes/ingredients and a passion for cooking - adapting to healthier alternatives.