DIWALI LEGIYAM

This is actually the grand finale of diwali where eating is concerned. what i mean by this is, that legiyam is a type of chywanprash that is had on dilwai morning. it is believed that since we keep eating sweets and other snacks a few dyas before diwali, this legiyam helps in digestion which is true.

the original authentic ingredients of legiyam are quite exhaustive, but this is my mom's version which according to me tastes excellent.

Ingredients :

ajwain - 4 tbsps
dhania seeds - 1/2 tsp
pepper - 1/2 tsp
dalchini (cinnamon) - 2 medium sticks
dry ginger - 1 small piece
grated jaggery - 1 and 1/2 times the quantity of the powder
ghee - as required

Method :

1) Dry roast the above in a non stick pan, keep aside
2) keep them under the sun for 2 hours till it becomes warm, powder it
3) add double the quantity (to the powder) of water in a non stick pan.
4) add the powder and cook till it becomes thick.
5) add the jaggery and keep stirring adding ghee in between (approximately 3 tbsps for 1 cup of powder)
6) once it becomes a loose chyawanprash consistency, swicth off the gas and add 1 tsp of lemon juice

The mixture becomes thicker once it cools, hence the consistency while switching off the gas should be slightly looser.