Dates Laddu

Dates Laddus in Marathi

Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 10 to 12 small laddus

Ingredients:
25 Dates, Pitted (1 cup after grinding)
1/2 cup Almonds, coarsely ground
1/2 cup grated dry coconut, lightly roasted
1 tbsp ghee
1 tsp Poppy seeds

Method:
1) Heat ghee into a pan. Add poppy seeds and roast for few seconds. Then add ground almonds, lightly toasted dry coconut and ground dates. Saute over low flame for 3 to 4 minutes.
2) Mix well. Transfer this mixture into a plate. Grease palms with little ghee. Take a small portion, press tightly and make round shaped laddu. Make laddus while mixture is still warm.
Do not make big laddus. One laddu should be the same size of a lemon.

Tips:
1) Black dates can be used instead of regular dates.
2) I had only used almonds. However, 1/2 cup mixture of pistachio, cashews and almonds can be used. If you want to add more dry-fruits, increase the amount of dates accordingly.
3) More ghee can be added to your taste.
4) I had used ready-made sliced almonds. Try not to use them because it becomes very difficult to shape laddus (they fall apart).
5) Use moist dates to make soft laddus.