DHANI BALLS ( POPPED SORGHUM BALLS)

India is country of festivals. People celebrate all festivals with great enthusiasm. Each & every festivals have their own importance , special celebrations with of course special food. Holi is a festival which is celebrated two days in a row. First day is Holika dahan & second day is called Dhuleti in which people play with colours. Thandai,gujiya(ghughra), jowar dhani,dates, patasha etc.are Holi special food items. Jowar dhani has special importance. First day of Holi is celebrated by Holika Dahan in evening means ,at Crossroads, a triangular structure is made by woods & cow dung cakes, like a bonfire & it is lit on fire. People worship this fire by walking around it by pouring water & place a shrifal(dried coconut), dhani, dates etc.

Jowar(sorghum) is an ancient grain which belongs to millet family. Now a days people shift away from refined wheat products which are not considered good for health. So, sorghum is good option cause it is gluten free, rich in fiber, high protein, full of iron. Due to all it’s goodness, it is good for bone health, as well as controls blood sugar levels. There are many other benefits of this grain.
Sorghum is used as whole grain, flour & popped form also. Today I m making chikki like balls,combined popped sorghum with jaggery.

Ingredients:
2 cups popped sorghum ( jowar dhani)
1/2 cup jaggery (sliced)

Method:
1. Heat thick bottom pan & add jaggery & stir.
2. Once it starts melting & bubbling, keep an eye on it, its time to check.
3. Pour one drop from bubbling jaggery in water & then check, if it becomes crunchy, its done.
4. Then add popped sorghum& turn off gas & mix it quickly so that all Dhani is covered with jaggery properly.
5. Now with greased hands, make balls out of it with light pressure. Don’t worry about the perfect round shape.
6. Enjoy this lightly sweetened , crunchy yet soft chikki balls anytime.

Notes:
1. Can mix puffed rice along with popped sorghum.
2. Can add pinch of cardamom powder & cinnamon powder .