Thirati Pal - A sweet dish

This is one of the many sweet dishes we like. A traditional dish which forms part of all important events in a tamil brahmin household. I have seen this sweet as an important part of the seer bakshanam during our weddings, poonals and naming ceremonies. The ingredients are simple but it is a time consuming process. My reference for this was the evergreen Meenakshi Ammal's "Samaithu Par" (Cook & See). Though the process was very cumbersome, the end product was awesome.

Why did i make this? Yes!! i was invited by a family friend for lunch. So it was my gift to her. She and her daughter enjoyed it. Hope you like it too!!

Ingredients

Milk - 2 litres
Sugar - 1 cup
Cardamom - 15 (powdered or corsely powdered)
Method

Boil the milk in a very thick bottom pan. After it boils reduce the flame and allow the milk to simmer stirring frequently. When the milk has reduced into a thicker consistency stir continuously. When the milk has reached a consistency that is quiet like wet sand add the sugar and stir vigourously. The sugar will melt stir till the milk again reaches the wet sand consistency. Add the powdered cardamom stir once and remove from the fire. Cool and eat.

Note: You would wonder why i have referred to the consistency as wet sand! You will realize it also when you try this out.