Holi and the Indian desert Pua

In Eastern India, people prepare a special Indian desert called Pua on the occasion of Holi. My mom makes excellent Puas and I learned to make it from her a few years ago. My Puas are not as tasty as the ones she cooks, nevertheless they are still mouthwatering. My wife who learned to cook this from me has become an expert herself and an admirer of this desert. Here is the recipe for this irresistible dish from Eastern India.

Ingredients -- Sugar Syrup

1. 300 gm of sugar
2. 240 ml of water
3. Saffron strands
   

Ingredients -- Pua

1. One and a half cup of all purpose cooking flour (maida in Hindi)
2. Half cup of grated dry coconut (gola in Hindi)
   
3. Two tbsp raisins
4. One tbsp of fennel seeds (saunf in Hindi)
5. Two cardamom seeds crushed.
6. One and half cup of milk
7. One overly ripe banana
   
8. Oil for deep frying
   

Method -- Sugar Syrup

1. Boil water and sugar together in medium heat for 10 mins
2. Add saffron strands and turn off the heat

Method -- Pua

1. Peel the banana and mash it in a bowl
2. Mix all the contents (except the oil) with the mashed banana thoroughly, until it forms a uniform thickness batter
   
3. Heat the oil in a deep pan
4. Fill a serving spoon with the batter and gently pour it making a round shape in the heated oil
   
5. When the pua turns light brown, flip it with a spatula and cook both the sides till they are reddish brown
6. Now drop the cooked pua in the warm sugar syrup for about two mins
7. Repeat the steps 4 to 6 for the remaining batter

Puas are ready to eat. Garnish with shredded almonds and pistachio and serve with rabbri for added pleasure.