This week, I for sure need lots of energy... Alia (A) is becoming a handful and appears to be throwing quite a few tantrums (I suppose all toddlers go through this stage). So, last week was one busy work week for me so I didn't get a chance to complete this blog post. Also, my mother-in-law kept asking for the recipe and I was like, "I haven’t finished writing it so not yet mom". Well, she is going to be very happy as its finally done. She can make the banana peda for my father-in-law (dad). I remember the very first time I stayed over at their place and noticed that dad had a sweet tooth and both him and Zaheer (Z) would finish the whole box of peda’s (it's one of their favourite Indian mithai (sweets)). All in all, I love it too... actually to come to think of it both sides of the family love it.
As a kid, every Sunday, dadaji (grandpa) used to go to this one and only sweet shop in my home town and get jalebi, peda and barfi for the whole week. I used to look forward for Sunday’s, especially the days when I could go with him. He’d always buy me some extra peda’s which I could indulge in right there and then. My mama would not allow us to eat a lot of sweets so weekends were considered sweetilicous days for both I and my sisters.
All pedas that I have tried thus far have been pure milk fudge without any additions such as fruits. The banana peda was actually more of a lucky error the first time I made it. We all loved its flavour of caramelized banana, blended well with cardamom and saffron. These are so so addictive that whenever I make these I have eaten at least 4 before it goes to anyone else, he he.. And now, as Alia loves these too...yeah I let the little munchkin try these out, I will be making them more regularly.
Once you make these banana pedas, you’ll keep on making them for life. Basically, as soon as you see those over ripe bananas in the fruit basket, the first thing that'll come to mind will be these flavourful morsels.
Banana Peda
quick, super easy and yummylicious.
Serves: 12 portions | Calories*: 167 kcal
Ingredients:
1 cup milk powder
1 cup condensed milk
2 over-ripe mashed bananas
1/2 tsp saffron
1/2 tsp cardamom powder
3 tbsp ghee (clarified butter)
100 g milk chocolate (optional)
Instructions:
In a non-stick pan at medium heat, add 1 tbsp of ghee and then add the milk powder followed by the condensed milk. Stir continuously until combined into a dough like consistency (this will take about 8-10 minutes on medium heat). Transfer the mixture to a well oiled parchment paper or plate.
Now, to the same pan (again at medium heat), add 1 tbsp ghee and add the mashed banana, saffron, cardamom and keep stirring for 5-6 minutes or until the puree has slightly thickened.
Add the milk powder and condensed milk mixture back to the pan and continue to stir, making sure all ingredients have combined into a homogenous paste. Keep stirring until the mixture thickens and starts leaving off the sides (forming into a sticky dough like consistency).
Transfer onto a well oiled parchment paper or plate and let it cool (once you touch the mixture it should be slightly warm to touch not hot).
Rub a little ghee between your palms and start forming into any shape you like (you can stuff the peda’s with almonds, cashew or hazelnuts, optional). Refrigerate them for 30 minutes before you dip them into the melted chocolate (optional)… And there you go , you have your very own banana peda. So delicious and flavourful!
Tips on Variations:
Replace mashed banana with mango puree and stuff the peda with pistachios.
Add 2 tbsp of cocoa powder to the mixture whilst cooking and you’ll have your very own chocolate banana peda.
*Please note that the nutritional information on this site is only an approximate.