This easy puran poli is just what you need to celebrate Gudi Padwa

The traditional Maharashtrian sweet parantha is stuffed with goodies like dal, jaggery and coconut.

Puran poli is a popular stuffed parantha made in Maharashtra. Picture courtesy: Pinterest/Neha at WhiskAffair

While most millennials are busy these days celebrating the coming of January 1 every year, millions of Hindus across the world still celebrate today--Gudi Padwa--as the first day of the year. Today is the first day of the month of Chaitra, which is also the first day of the Hindu calendar.

And like every auspicious occasion celebrated in India, Gudi Padwa is also marked by a huge feast that is cooked across Hindu homes in India. One of those dishes is puran poli. This Maharashtrian favourite is quite an iconic dish, and it's really delicious.

Stuffed with chana dal and gud, puran poli is a sweet parantha that melts in the mouth. Picture courtesy: Pinterest/Revi's Foodography and Travel Diary

Puran poli is a sweet parantha stuffed with mashed chana dal, jaggery or gud, and shredded coconut. When made properly, puran poli has a melt-in-your-mouth texture with a sublime sweetness. The best part is, it's really not at all difficult to make. Just take a look at the easy recipe we have here for you.

Puran poli is one of the dishes prepared on Gudi Padwa. Picture courtesy: Pinterest/sharmispassions.com

Ingredients:

1 cup split Bengal gram or chana dal, boiled and mashed

1 cup jaggery or gud, grated

1/2 cup coconut, dessicated

1/4 tsp green cardamom powder

1/4 tsp nutmeg powder

1/4 tsp saffron

2 cups flour or maida

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup ghee

Water, as required

Making puran poli at home is quite easy. Picture courtesy: Pinterest/MariasMenu

Method:

1. Heat a pan with the mashed dal, grated jaggery, dessicated coconut, cardamom powder, nutmeg powder and saffron. Mix them well, and continue cooking to form a soft stuffing. Remove from heat, and divide the stuffing into 10-12 parts.

2. Take the maida and salt in a large bowl, and add a few teaspoons of ghee. Add the water gradually to make a soft dough. Cover the bowl with a damp towel, and set aside for an hour.

3. Divide the dough into 10-12 parts, and roll them into balls. Flatten each ball in your palm, and stuff the dal and jaggery mix. Seal the ball again.

4. Dust a rolling board with flour, and roll out the stuffed dough to make the puran poli.

5. Heat a tawa, and cook the puran poli on both sides with a little ghee. Serve them hot with a glass of milk or yogurt.

The ingredients for this dish are very easy to get, and you can rustle it up in no time. Serve these to your guests, or just enjoy it as a meal today to celebrate Gudi Padwa. This puran poli recipe will make sure that you have a happy new year indeed.