Amla, also known as Indian Gooseberry, is no less than a super fruit. It contains vitamin C, calcium, iron, antioxidants, dietary fibre, flavonoids, alkaloids, and polyphenols. It also contains over 17 times the antioxidants of pomegranate and eight times its vitamin C content.
Thus, as you can see, Amla is a healthy fruit to have. And what’s more, there are several ways in which you can enjoy this nutritious Indian super fruit.
One way of having Amla is making Amla candy, which can be a favourite among kids as its sourness gets masked by the sweetness of sugar and other spices.
You can store this Amla candy in an airtight container, and it will stay fresh for months to come.
So, read on as we discuss an easy and delicious Amla Candy recipe with you that you can easily make in the microwave.
1. Things You Need
- 1 Kg Fresh Amla
- 550 gm Sugar
- ½ tbsp Black Pepper
- ½ tbsp Black Salt
- 1 tbsp Amchur Powder
- 1lt Water
- Microwave Bowl
- Strainer
- 1 Round Bowl
- 1 Storage Container
2. Total Time Required (3-5 days approx)
The preparation time for Amla candy will span over 3-5 days until the candy is completely ready and includes the cooking time to cook the Amla pieces in the microwave, and the preparation time when the pieces are covered in sugar and candified over some time and then dried again.
Cooking Time (30 minutes approx)
The cooking time includes the time needed to heat the water in a microwave and also includes cutting the Amla pieces, putting them in the microwave bowl and again heating them and then waiting for them to get cold.
Preparation Time (3-5 days approx)
It will take approximately 1 day for the Amla pieces to absorb the Amla syrup. Then the Amla pieces are kept inside the bowl to completely absorb the syrup, which spans from 2-3 days. Once the Amla pieces have completely soaked up the syrup, they are dried under the sun for another 2 days
3. Preparation Method
● Step 1
Take 1kg of Amla and put it into a strainer. Place them under running water and wash them well.
● Step 2
Take a microwave bowl and fill it with water. Place the bowl in the microwave and heat it for 2 minutes.
● Step 3
Once the water starts boiling, take out the bowl and fill it with the Amla. Then again place it in the microwave and heat it for 1 min. After a minute passes, take the bowl out of the microwave and let the Amla remain in it for 5 minutes.
● Step 4
Take the Amla out when they become cold, and using a knife, slice them up. Then, throw away the kernels. Then, put the slices into a bowl.
● Step 5
Take around 500 gm of sugar and sprinkle them over the slices. Keep the bowl covered for a day. Powder the remaining 50 gm of sugar in a grinder.
● Step 6
The next day, you will find that the sugar on the Amla you have sprinkled has turned into syrup, and the Amla pieces are floating in it. Stir the Amla pieces well in the syrup and keep them covered for another 2-3 days.
● Step 7
After 2-3 days have passed, you will find that the Amla pieces have soaked up the syrup completely. Take out the pieces and put them under the sun for drying. Once the pieces are completely dry, take the sugar powder and coat the pieces with it.
● Step 8
If you want to add a bit more tangy taste to the Amla, cover the pieces with ½ tbsp black pepper, ½ tbsp black salt, and 1 tbsp amchur powder, and then add the powdered sugar.
4. Storage
Your Amla candy is now ready! Take an airtight container and store your Amla pieces in it.
You can gorge on them and enjoy them as you wish. Amla candy is best consumed before meals for maximum Vitamin C absorption or after a meal to improve digestion.
However, make sure you don’t eat more than 3-4 pieces a day as it can give you a bad tummy ache due to the high Vitamin C content and the added spices.
Final Thoughts
There you have it, your easy Amla candy recipe using a microwave. So, put on your cooking hat and start stocking up on these delicious and nutritious treats that are great for winters and can also be had all year round. Moreover, dried Amla has a shelf-life of more than 6 months, so you can store it in an airtight container for a long time without any worries.
