Recipe: Magaj

There are only a few 'Indian sweets' which I like and this is one of them. It's called Magaj in Gujarat and is known as Besan Ladoo in Maharashtra. The only difference between the two is that Magaj is usually cut into squares and Besan Ladoo is moulded in a sphere. 

Ingredients for vegan Magaj

• 1 cup of Basen Ladoo flour (also known as Magaj flour) 
• 1/2 a cup of brown sugar
• 1/4 of a cup of any cooking oil which doesn't have a strong taste e.g. sunflower oil
• 1/2 a teaspoon of cardamom powder 
• A pinch of nutmeg
• 1/5 tablespoons of vegan margarine

Method for making vegan Magaj

1. Put the oil in a pan and warm it on medium heat 
2. Add the flour to the oil and mix frequently until it is golden in colour - this will take about 15 mins
3. Remove it from the heat and add the sugar and mix thoroughly 
4. Put it back on the cooker on a low heat and mix it continuously for a couple of minutes 
5. Add cardamom powder and nutmeg and mix again
6. Add 1/5 tablespoons of vegan margarine and mix in - it might sizzle/bubble 
7. Put the mix in a glass container and spread it around to make it even 
8. Garnish it with crushed almonds and pistachios
9. Enjoy after it has cooled 

Adapted from a recipe shared by the Jain Center of Toronto

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