Besan ladoo

Split the cardamom pods and remove the seeds. Grind the seeds to a powder with 1 tsp of the icing sugar using a pestle and mortar. Set aside.

Heat a sturdy, small pan and roast the cashews over a medium heat, stirring all the time, until they pick up flecks of colour. Transfer to a chopping board, and once cooled, finely chop.

Melt the ghee in a wok or karahi over a low heat, add the sieved gram flour and fry, stirring all the time, until it darkens and releases a toasted aroma, about 15-20 mins. Stir in the toasted cashews and transfer to a mixing bowl. Leave until warm enough to handle.

Add the remaining sugar, ground cardamom and saffron with its soaking liquid. Knead the paste until smooth, then leave to cool to room temperature.

Shape the gram flour mixture into small balls (ladoos) with your hands, about 3 cm in diameter. Put them on a baking tray lined with baking parchment. If the ladoos are a little soft, chill for 10 mins to firm up. To serve, press a few chopped pistachios into the top of each one. Will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 7-10 days.