By Devi Poojari
July 24, 2023
Known to be. Sunday special offering to the Gods in the famous Chidambaram Nataraja temple in Tamil Nadu, this kalkandu sadam – or rock candy rice is the sweet treat you need to try.
½ cup raw rice 1 tablespoon moong dal ¾ cup sugar candy ½ cup ghee ½ teaspoon cardamom powder 1 pinch edible camphor 7-8 cashews 4-5 saffron strands 1 pinch salt
Powder the rock candy in a grinder and set aside.
Heat the ghee in a pressure cooker and toast the moong dal until aromatic.
Wash the rice and add it to the ghee and toss well, before pouring in 2 cups of water.
Pressure cook for 4-5 whistles until it turns to a thick mash.
Cool slightly before opening the lid and placing the cooker on low heat.
Add the powdered sugar and mix well to combine.
Follow it up with the saffron strands and edible camphor.
Pour in some more ghee and stir continuously for 4-5 minutes, until the mixture soaks it up.
Add the cardamom powder, salt and cashews before serving warm.