Measure the puffed paddy and keep it ready. In a heavy based skilled/non stick tawa dry roast the sesame seeds on a slow heat till they begin to pop. Remove on a plate and allow to cool. On the same tawa roast the cashew nut bits until they are pale golden in colour and let out a nice aroma. Remove and cool.
In a heavy based kadhai/wok, add 1-2 tablespoons of water and add the jaggery and on a very slow heat stir until it is mixed well and the mixture begins to froth. Check the readiness of the jaggery by adding one drop of the syrup into the bowl of water. If it dissolves into the water the syrup is not yet ready. If it settles at the base of the bowl and feels firm to the touch, it is ready.
Turn off the flame and allow to cool for a few seconds. Add the cardamom powder, roasted sesame seeds & cashew nuts and stir well. Add the puffed paddy in parts, while stirring to mix. Do this quickly as you need to make the laddus before the jaggery cools & becomes hard.
Grease your palms with ghee and get to work immediately. Pinch out enough mixture and pat to form a ball resembling Indian lemons. * see notes. Also, the mixture will be hot, but that's the only way you can roll the laddus before the jaggery hardens. Smoothen the surface by rolling the laddu between your palms.
Continue to roll laddus until all the mixture is used up. Place them on a plate and allow to cool completely. The laddus will harden when cooled. Store in an airtight box - they keep well for upto a week (if they last that long!)