Pullipu mittai/ tamarind candy

Makes-10 to 12 candies

Ingredients:

• Tamarind-1/2 cup tightly packed
• Dates-4
• Jaggery-1/4 cup
• Red chilli powder-1/4 tsp
• Cumin/ jeera ppwder-1/4 tsp
• Chat masala-few pinches
• Black salt-a pinch ( optional)
• Ghee-1 tsp
• Cling wrap to wrap candies
• Salt- few pinches

Method:

• Soak tamarind for 2 hours ( remove seeds if any) and grind them to smooth pulp.
• You can strain tamarind pulp to get a smoother pulp.
• Now in a non stick pan add a tsp of ghee and jaggery add very little water to help the jaggery dissolve. You can strain them to remove any impurities.
• Once jaggey dissolves add the tamarind pulp followed by all the spice powders and salt.
• Cook them in low flame untill you get a thick mixture which can glide in pan.
• You have to mix every now and then to prevent it from getting burnt.
• Once down allow it to cool completely.
• Take bite size portion and wrap it in a cling wrap. Or use a ice cream stick to make it look like tamarind lollipop and wrap it also in cling wrap.

Notes:

• This is not hard candy it is soft candy.
• You can avoid chat masala.
• You can try making it without dates.
• Store it in air tight container.