Sawan 2025 Recipes — Know How To Prepare Anarsa Ki Goli At Home

Anarsa Ki Goli is an age-old sweet rice dish that has a special significance in Indian cuisine, especially in the states of Maharashtra and Bihar. This age-old dessert is synonymous with festive occasions, particularly Diwali and Sawan, and is admired for its distinctive method of preparation and cultural value.

Part of the generic family of traditional Indian sweets, Anarsa is distinguished by its rich flavour, soft texture, and deep symbolism. The sweet is prepared from simple yet healthy ingredients such as soaked rice, jaggery or sugar, poppy seeds, and ghee (clarified butter). The term "Anarsa" is said to have been named from the Sanskrit term 'Anarasha', which means 'pure', representing cleanness and eternal tradition.

Anarsa Ki Goli, especially famous in Bihar, particularly in the town of Gaya, is a slightly rounded and more ball-like form of Anarsa compared to the flat one consumed in Maharashtra. It tastes slightly sweet with a crunchy outer crust and a soft, slightly chewy core. The outer cover of poppy seeds gives an enjoyable nutty flavour, while frying in ghee intensifies its intense aroma and flavour.

Anarsa's texture is one of its best features; it is crunchy on the outside because of the poppy seed coating, and the inside is soft and moist, with a subtle hint of caramelised sugar and rice. This winning combination of texture and flavour has made Anarsa a party favourite in Indian homes.

Anarsa is prepared by soaking the normal rice for two days, and the water is changed periodically. Then the rice is dried partially and crushed into coarse powder. This powder is blended with sugar or jaggery and made into a dough. A little milk is added, if necessary, to bind the mixture. The dough is formed into small balls and fried in ghee, poppy side down, until crispy and golden.

The end product is a delightfully textured, golden-brown piece of candy that dissolves in the mouth with an explosion of taste indicative of India's rich gastronomic tradition. Prepared this delicious delicacy at home with these easy steps.

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