Pedas with a twist

Using khoya, sugar and traditional flavours like cardamom, pistachios and saffron, one can whip up the dessert in minutes. Its colour varies from creamy white to caramel.

Who doesn’t love the sugar rush that comes with gobbling up melt-in-the-mouth pieces of peda? Aside from being delicious, they are also very easy to make, which is why they are a staple in Indian households this festive season. 

Using khoya, sugar and traditional flavours like cardamom, pistachios and saffron, one can whip up the dessert in minutes. Its colour varies from creamy white to caramel. 

While the dish is delectable in itself, we suggest topping it up with some interesting additives that will enhance the flavours and have your guests wanting more.

Cherry bloomsIngredients: 12 pieces of peda, six red cherries, a few drops of rose/vanilla essence.

Method: Add a drop of the essence to each peda and knead them well. Roll them into a ball and flatten slightly. Then, cut it into star-shaped pieces with a cookie cutter. Place half a cherry on each piece and serve. 

Kesar-cashew rolls Ingredients: 10 pieces of peda, 4 tbsp of cashew powder, 1 tbsp of honey, a pinch of saffron, 1 tsp of milk.

Method: Mix saffron in warm milk, while crushing the pedas well. Mix all ingredients together and knead them into a soft dough. Divide them into 16 portions, roll them into pieces two-inches in length and half-an-inch in diameter. Serve.  

Sesame surpriseIngredients: 12 pieces of peda, 2 tbsp of sesame or til (toasted and powdered), 1 tbsp of honey or jaggery, 2 tbsp of copra (powdered), ¼ tsp of cardamom powder.

Method: Crush the pedas well. Mix all the ingredients together an divide the mixture into 12 portions. Roll it into smooth balls and serve. 

Pop-in-gemsIngredients: 12 pieces of peda, 1 tsp of cocoa powder, a few drops of rose essence, 36 Cadbury gems .

Method: Crush the pedas and add the rose essence and cocoa powder. Then, mix and knead until you get a smooth consistency. Divide the mixture into 12 portions and flatten. Place three Gems on each and roll into a ball. The gems should be encased inside the peda. Once done, serve. 

Savoury munch Ingredients: 12 pieces of peda, 4 tbsp of sev or crushed cornflakes, 2-4 tsp of chutney powder.  

Method: Crush pedas and mix with chutney powder. Divide the dough into 12 equal-sized balls and  flatten. Coat each ball evenly in sev or cornflake powder. Serve immediately. 

Before you start making these, here are a few suggestions: 

n Get fresh peda as it is soft and easy to knead. 

n Make small quantities as refrigerating will harden the dish.