Soft milk peda at home this Diwali with just four ingredients

Diwali brings cheer to every home, with lights, rangoli, firecrackers and, above all, festive food. Some sweet is made in every household during the festival. But buying pedas from the market often brings worries: whether the mawa is genuine, whether there is too much sugar, whether the sweets are adulterated.

The solution is simple. This Diwali, make milk pedas at home instead of buying them outside. They come out soft like those from a shop and melt in the mouth. Best of all, they need few ingredients. Just 3-4 items are enough.

There is no need to rush to a shop, as everything is available at home. The recipe needs 2 large cups of milk powder, 1 cup of milk (plain milk will do), 2 to 3 spoons of pure ghee and half a cup of powdered sugar. The sugar can be increased or reduced to taste. A little cardamom powder and chopped pistachios for garnish are also needed.

The first step is preparing the mixture. Take a thick-bottomed pan or a non-stick pan. Switch on the gas and pour in one cup of milk. Add 2 cups of milk powder and 2 spoons of ghee to it. Now mix everything together with a spoon. There should be no lumps at all, and the mixture should become a smooth, plain paste.

The second step is cooking. Keep the flame very low, which is the most important part. Do not cook on a high flame, or the mixture will burn. Keep stirring continuously with a spoon on low heat. After a while the mixture will begin to thicken. It will look thin at first, but gradually it will take a mawa-like form and start leaving the sides of the pan. When the whole mixture gathers into a ball, it is ready. Then switch off the gas.

The third step is shaping the pedas. Let the mixture cool a little, but not completely. While it is still lukewarm, add half a cup of powdered sugar and a little cardamom powder. Knead it well by hand. Now grease your hands with a little ghee so the mixture does not stick. Take a small ball and roll it between both palms. Then press it lightly to flatten it and make a gentle dent in the middle with your thumb. The peda is ready. Make all the remaining pedas the same way.

The last step is garnishing. Top the pedas with finely chopped pistachios or two or three strands of saffron. They will look as good as shop-bought ones. Your pure and tasty homemade milk pedas are ready.

These pedas keep comfortably for 4-5 days. Refrigerated, they last a week. This Diwali, say no to adulterated market sweets and feed your family pure pedas made with love by your own hands. They also make a good option to offer guests.