Laapsi

This is a dessert made of cracked wheat and is associated with happy occasions

In my family, laapsi is a dish that you have on those little happy occasions of life. We would have it for dinner the day of our exam results, or whenever we heard some good news about another family member, like one of our aunts or uncles getting engaged, or the day my father bought a new piece of property. The celebratory dinner or party would follow, but cooking laapsi would be my mother's way of congratulating us and having a mini celebration whenever the actual one was deferred.

For a dish that is so easy to cook, it can be hard to believe how delicious it tastes. I start by roasting the cracked wheat in a little ghee till it is golden brown. You can, if you wish, add raisins and chopped nuts to it while it is being roasted. I love the simple version too. Then, add some water and boil it or cook it in a pressure cooker. Mix sugar and roast it again in some more ghee till the individual grains come apart.

This dish is intentionally not sweetened much and is served with ground sugar and ghee on the side, to be added as per individual taste.

Recipe for Laapsi

¾ cup cracked wheat
¼ cup sugar

¼ cup and 2 tbsp ghee

Ground sugar and ghee, for serving

1.  Roast the cracked wheat in 2 tbsp ghee on low heat for 5-6 minutes or till it is golden brown.
2.  Add 2 cups of water, and boil it or cook it in a pressure cooker till the grains are softened but not soggy. One whistle on medium heat is usually enough.
3.  Once cooked, add the ¼ cup sugar and mix.
4.  Roast it in the remaining ghee for 2-3 minutes or till the individual grain starts coming apart.
5.  Serve hot with ghee and ground sugar on the side.