story of mysore pakImage Credit source: getty image
Mysore Pak is directly related to Mysore in Karnataka state and hence it got its name, but the story behind its creation is very interesting. This buttery tasting sweet was one of the most favorite sweets in the royal family, but its creation started due to lack of time. ‘Mysore’ is the name of the place, whereas in Kannada the word ‘Paka’ is used for sweet mixture, hence this sweet was called Mysore Pak. It was first prepared for Maharaja Krishna Wodeyar. There is a very old shop in Mysore, which is still run by the descendants of Raja Rasoi. How did this popular sweets of South India originate and how can you make it?
Mysore Pak is a rich traditional Indian sweet that originated in royal kitchens. Only simple gram flour, desi ghee and sugar are used in it. Apart from this, some people also use rose water to enhance the aroma. Apart from this, cardamom can also be added for taste, so let us know the story of this royal sweet.
Mysore Pak was created due to short time
At the time, the city of Mysore in Karnataka was ruled by Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar. The Maharaja used to reside in Amba Palace, where his cook Kakasura Madappa used to prepare food for him. Maharaj was very fond of food, hence different types of dishes were prepared in his palace. It was one afternoon when a banquet was being prepared for the Maharaja and the royal family. In such a situation, the king’s cook thought that he would make a new sweet, but he did not have that much time, so due to lack of time, he prepared a sweet from gram flour, sugar and ghee, which is today known as Mysore Pak.
The king liked the sweets very much
When King Krishnaraja Wodeyar had his meal, this hastily prepared sweet was served to him, but by then the syrup of the sweet had set and it had given it a vibrant soft fudge like taste. When the king tasted this sweet, he liked its taste very much. After this he called the cook and asked about the name of the sweet. In such a situation, the first word that came out of the mouth of cook Madappa was Mysore Pak, i.e. sweet mixture, which was linked to the word Mysore. This sweet became a favorite among the royal family and gradually it started being traditionally served at weddings and festivals in South India.
Mysore Pak Recipe, Getty
This is how it became popular
Maharaja Krishnaraj Wodeyar also liked sweets very much. It is also said that for this reason he wanted his people to also taste the royal sweets, that is why he asked to open a sweet shop outside the palace premises. There is also a story that the king’s cook Madappa wanted people to taste Mysore cuisine, so he opened a sweet shop. It is today known as Guru Sweets. Mysore Pak here is quite famous.
Ingredients for Mysore Pak
The main ingredients you will need are gram flour and desi ghee. It has to be taken in such a way that if you have taken 1 cup of gram flour then you should take one cup or one and a half cup of ghee. Apart from this, you will need a pinch of green cardamom powder. You can take quarter cup of sugar and half cup of water will be required. If you want to garnish it, you can take one spoonful of almonds or pistachios.
Mysore Pak Recipe
First of all pour water in the pan and then add sugar and make syrup. Now add gram flour in it and keep mixing while stirring continuously. Keep in mind that there should not be any lumps in it. Now after this, keep adding desi ghee little by little and keep cooking it while stirring with the other hand. Keep cooking it while stirring well for at least two to three minutes. During this time its color will start changing and the texture will also change. Add cardamom powder in it and after mixing, take a steel plate, apply desi ghee in it and spread the prepared mixture evenly. Now leave it to cool for at least 30 minutes, then cut it into desired shapes with the help of a knife. In this way your Mysore Pak will be ready. Garnish it with almonds or pistachios or you can eat it as is.