Tala guli(sesame rolls) Recipe

    INGREDIENTS

• 145g sesame seeds
• 250g dark palm sugar, grated
• generous pinch salt
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil, if needed

    METHOD

• Grind the sesame seeds in a spice grinder until fine and powdery, or pound using a mortar and pestle, a little at a time, until the seeds are crushed and oily. As each batch is done, turn into a bowl.

• Add the palm sugar and salt and use your hands to mix well — the heat of your hands and vigorous kneading will help to soften the palm sugar, and after a while the mixture will hold together. If this is taking too long, add the sesame oil until the mixture just holds its shape.

• Take 1 teaspoon of the mixture at a time and roll into neat-sized balls. These may be arranged on a serving plate but traditionally they are wrapped in rectangular pieces of wax or baking paper that has been fringed at the ends. The paper is twisted on either side of the balls so each one looks like a miniature Christmas cracker. Serve at the end of a curry meal, or as a between-meal treat.