Green gram cooked in jaggery and cardamons

I am back to the blogosphere after a very long break and thanks to all my friends for the lovely wishes and enquiries. It's been an exciting ride for the past few weeks. I am married, I have moved to the US - A new beginning, a new life with a new person - "S"! :-) Its been taking a lot of emotions to handle it. But I am all excited and geared up to start setting up my warm cosy home.The first day I entered this home, I was stunned to see the then-bachelor S's house to be so beautiful, neat and well organized. No mess around! Everything was kept at the right place and everything looked brand new. I was thinking to myself "Gosh!! was he really been living here for the past 2 or so years or has he bought new stuffs a week before he left for India??!!?? :-)". Such a cleanoholic is my husband!!!

I had purchased a lot of desi decor stuffs to fill my home with. S has a more westernized touch to the house. So everytime something is rearranged / replaced at home, he always spares a weird expressionless look at me. Initially that bothered me but now its better may be because I stopped looking at his face or he stopped reacting to the changes I make (smiles). Well that's my rambling about the house.

Summer is just setting in here. I just love this season of the year. Early sunrise and late naah! very late sunsets. The weather is too perfect for a lovely walk along the beautiful gardens near my home or for a perfect afternoon BBQ. I am just loving this bright and sunny days. I have started my cooking on the 2nd day after my landing in US. My kitchen was busy helping me with spreading a decent meal for S; salads, spaghetti, soups, sambar, pongal, rasam, Indian curries, egg masala and list goes on. Well, "A way to a man's heart is through his stomach" Right? (wink) :-)

Now the post for today isn't that complicated, its a simple bowl of Sweetened Green Gram. A 3-step dish, which can be whipped in no time. This is one of the most delicious snack made in any South Indian household. My mom used to make them during my growing up days and I am a big addict to it since then. It will be a sure hit among kids. The mild sweetness from the jaggery blends so beautifully with earthly green gram and the cardamon infuses a beautiful aroma to it.

Ingredients 
1 cup green gram 
1 cup jaggery 
5 cardamons - crushed  
A pinch of salt 
4 + 4 + 2 cups water

Method 
Soak the green gram in a bowl containing 4 cups of water overnight. Drain the water next day, add 4 cups of fresh water and steam cook them for 2 whistles. Drain the water and set them aside. 

Heat a saucepan with 2 cups water. Bring it to boil and add the crushed cardamons and finely grated jaggery. Stir it to dissolve them completely. Once they begin to get syrupy about 30 minutes, add the cooked green gram and give it a complete mix.Add a pinch of salt to enhance the sweetness of jaggery. Serve warm in a bowl.