Festive Pedas (Basic Recipe)

Ingredients
1/2 kg. soft white khoya
2-1/2 cups (approx.300gms) sugar powdered
1/2 tsp. cardamom powder
1 tsp. cardamom seeds semi crushed
1 tbsp. slivered or crushed pistachios
Method
Grate khoya with a steel (not iron) grater. Add powdered sugar and mix well.
Put mixture in a large heavy or nonstick pan. Heat first on high for few minutes.
The on slow till done. Make sure to stir continuously, while on heat.
When mixture thick and gooey, add cardamom. Mix well, and take off fire.
Allow to cool, gently turning occasionally. Use cookie moulds, or shape pedas with palms
into patty rounds.
Mix pistachios and cardamom seeds and press a bit on top of each. If using moulds, first
sprinkle some at bottom.
Take some mixture and press into mould. When set well, invert and carefully, unmould.
Note: Above is the basic recipe.
Any colour ( yellow, orange, green, cochineal), essence (pineapple, orange, pista,
chocolate), topping (almonds, walnuts, cashews), can be added. To above recipe add
any of following for varied flavours: cashew powder 1/2 cup, cocoa 2 tbsp.(then increase
sugar by 1/2 cup), walnuts powdered 1/2 cup, etc. Add when the mixture is half cooked.