Ariselu Recipe (Traditional Andhra Sweet)

Ariselu is a traditional Andhra sweet prepared during festivals like Sankranti, Diwali, and weddings. Made from rice flour and jaggery, it is deep-fried and then flattened to form soft yet crisp-edged sweets. Its rich, golden color and aromatic flavor make it a festive favorite across South India.

Ingredients

• Raw rice – 1 cup
• Jaggery – ¾ cup
• Water – ¼ cup
• Cardamom powder – ½ tsp
• Sesame seeds – 1 tbsp (optional)
• Ghee – 1 tbsp
• Oil – for deep frying

Preparation Steps

1. Soak, Dry & Sieve Rice Flour:
   Wash and soak raw rice for about 12 hours. Drain and spread it on a cloth to remove moisture. Grind the semi-dried rice to a fine flour and sieve it to remove any coarse particles. Use this smooth rice flour for best results.Do not dry the flour — immediately cover it and keep aside to retain the moisture. This ensures soft Ariselu.
2. Make Jaggery Syrup:
   In a pan, add jaggery and water. Boil until it forms a sticky syrup (soft ball stage — when a drop forms a soft ball in cold water).
3. Prepare Dough:
   Reduce heat and gradually add rice flour, stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Add cardamom powder and ghee. Mix until the dough comes together softly.
4. Shape Ariselu:
   Grease your palms and take small balls of dough. Flatten each into a round shape using a banana leaf or plastic sheet. Sprinkle sesame seeds if desired.
5. Deep Fry:
   Heat oil on medium flame. Deep fry each ariselu one by one until golden brown.
6. Press Out Excess Oil:
   Remove from oil and place between two flat ladles or in a wooden press to remove extra oil.
7. Cool and Store:
   Cool completely before storing in an airtight container. Ariselu stays good for up to 10 days.

Tips

• Rice should be freshly ground for soft ariselu.
• The jaggery syrup consistency is key — too thick makes ariselu hard, too thin makes them break.
• Always fry on medium flame to get even golden color.
• Add a spoon of ghee to the dough for rich flavor.

Variations

• Dry Coconut Ariselu: Add grated coconut to the dough for a nutty flavor.
• Sesame Ariselu: Sprinkle roasted sesame seeds before frying for a crunchy texture.
• Sugar Ariselu: Replace jaggery with sugar syrup for a lighter taste variation.

Health Benefits

• Jaggery helps boost energy and improve digestion.
• Rice flour provides carbohydrates for instant energy.
• Sesame and ghee contribute healthy fats and minerals.