Holi is around the corner, which marks the beginning of Spring and is celebrated with the splashing of color and good food. Different regions of India have their own unique special foods to commemorate the festival. One of these, popular in the North, is called "shakarpara." "Shakarpare are sugar coated flour pieces which are deep fried. Shakkarpare can be stored for 2 -3 weeks. Here is the recipe:
Ghee - 100 gms
Baking powder - 11/2 tsp
Water to knead
Oil for frying
For the coating -
Sugar - 300 gms
Water - 100 ml
How to make shakarpara:
- Sieve the flour and then add ghee to it. Mix the mixture till it resembles breadcrumbs.
- Add the baking powder and then with the help of water knead it into a stiff dough.
- Cover it with a damp cloth for 10-15 min.
- Heat oil. Divide the dough into three long rolls.
- Roll each portion to 1/2 inch thickness and cut with knife into 1/2 inch pieces.
- When the oil gets perfect hot fry the pieces on medium flame for 10-12 minutes or till the pare are crisp and light golden.
- Drain them on a paper tissue and fry the remaining pieces in the same way.
To make the syrup (coating)
- In a pan boil the water and the sugar till it reaches one-string consistency
- Remove from fire, add the pare all together and coat the pare evenly with the help of a flat spoon.
- Do not mix too much, as the sugar will harden.
- Take them out and let them dry for a while.
- Store in airtight container."
Source: Indian Food Forever
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Pria Ingrum is of South Asian descent and blogs about her heritage and culture. She also owns a South Asian boutique. She welcomes any comments, suggestions, ideas, South Asian recipes and South Asian event news at priamba6@gmail.com.
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