Sesame laddu, called Ellunda in Kerala, are sweet balls made of sesame seeds and jaggery, an Indian sugar similar to brown sugar. Sesame laddu may seem intimidating to make at first, but they’re surprisingly easy! Once you learn the right technique and gather all the ingredients, you’ll be well on your way to making perfect sesame laddus every time!
What is Ellunda?
Ellunda is a recipe for Indian sesame laddu. It has been passed down in the author’s family for generations, and it is one of the best-kept secrets when it comes to making this popular sweet.
The recipe starts with a small amount of clarified butter and ghee, which are heated until they are melted, without letting them turn brown. Then, sesame seeds are added, and the mixture is stirred constantly until all of the seeds have turned light brown.
Health Benefits of Sesame
Sesame seeds have a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine as a natural remedy for various ailments, including heart disease, cancer and asthma. They are rich in calcium, copper and iron, which are all necessary nutrients for the human body. Additionally, sesame seeds have been found to contain high amounts of antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances that protect cells from the damaging effects of free radicals by donating an electron that stabilizes them.
How to Make the perfect Ellunda
In a bowl, combine 1 cup of Jaggery with 1⁄2 cup of water and mix until the Jaggery is dissolved. Add cardamom powder and mix again. Once you have a smooth paste, add roasted sesame seeds in 1/4-cup batches, mixing as you go. Then let it cool a bit to allowed to easily made to rolls .
Tips for Making the perfect Ellunda
This is a traditional Indian dessert that has been made since ancient times. If you’re looking for an easy recipe, here’s how you can make the perfect Ellunda.
- Roast sesame seeds in a pan set aside only when they slightly start turning brown.
- In a saucepan, mix together one fourth parts ghee and jaggery.
- For spices flavor, add cardamom pods, cloves, cinnamon sticks and saffron threads to the saucepan and cook until the mixture turns light brown in color.
- Use finely grated coconut
- Slowly add roasted sesame seeds and stir until they are evenly coated with the mixture.
