Assam's popular sweet "Goja"

 

Goja is an Assamese sweetmeat, very popular among people. I personally love this sweet a lot. I have been growing up indulging on this. Sadly we do not get to taste it on a regular basis as we stay away here in Mumbai. Last time I had Goja was in Moran (Assam) while returning back from my cousin brother's wedding to my parents' place in the month of feb. And since then I was so desperate to have it again. And finally I got to know the recipe of this oh-so-delicious sweet and did not wait much to give it a try in my kitchen. A simple easy recipe but a finger-licking taste. Being the first timer in experimenting this at home, I made a small batch this time.


Ingredients:

For the goja
Flour/Maida: 200 gms
Ghee/refined oil: 7-8 tbsp.
Soda bicarbonate: 1 tsp
Baking powder: A pinch
Cumin seeds: 1/2 tsp roasted
Cloves: 3-4 finely chopped
Pinch of salt
Sufficient water to make the dough.

For sugar syrup
Sugar: 5 tbsp.
Water: 2 cups


Method:

In a bowl, sift the flour, baking powder. Mix rest of the ingredients mentioned above and make a very soft dough. Once its ready, spread the dough little less than an inch thick on a clean hard surface. I used the kitchen slab. Now with the help of a knife cut the dough in equal rectangular shapes.

Heat sufficient oil in a kadhai/deep bottomed pan for deep frying. Fry the gojas till it turns golden brown colour from all sides. Use a fork to check if the gojas are cooked properly from inside.

Prepare the sugar syrup in a saucepan with the water & sugar. It should not take more than 10-15 minutes. Sugar syrup should not be very thick.

Transfer the fried the gojas immediately to the hot sugar syrup , turn them & keep in the syrup for 5-7 minutes and remove. Keep them in refrigerator in air-tight containers and enjoy with your cup of tea.