COCONUT SWEETS (BARFI)

2 cups coconut scrapings

2 cups white sugar

1/2 cup milk

1 tablespoon butter or ghee

1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence

1/2 teaspoon pink or green food colouring

Take a thick bottomed vessel and heat the sugar and 1/4 cup water on high heat. When the sugar melts, add the coconut, vanilla essence, ghee / butter and the milk. Cook on medium heat stirring all the time till the mixture thickens and leaves the sides of the vessel. Drop a teaspoon of the mixture in a cup of water and if it forms a ball when rolled between the thumb and fingers, the right consistency is reached. Grease a flat plate and pour the mixture on it. Spread well and flatten with the back of a spoon dipped in water. Cut into squares when slightly cool.