In a mixing bowl, add the flour, salt, water and baking soda. Whisk to make a smooth free flowing batter. Then add the food color and mix it aorund to get the right color.
Keep the batter away and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes.
Prepare the sugar syrup in a skillet or wok, by adding sugar, water, cardamoms and cloves. Let it come to boil and then simmer for 10 minutes. Switch off once done.
To fry the boondi, heat enough oil in a skilet or wok to medium heat. Then pour little bit of the batter on the skimmer slotted spoon and keep tapping allowing the batter to fall as tiny droplets in hot oil. Do not overcrowd the pan and do not press down the batter through the spoon. Just tap.
Allow the boondi to fry for a while in hot oil and then strain it out using another slotted spoon to a plate layered with kitchen towel.
Continue making more boondi the same way.
Once you are done with the batter and your boondi is ready, pour all the boondi in the syrup and toss it around to amke sure all the boondis are tossed around in the syrup.
Then cover the skillet and leave it aside for 1 hour for the boondi to soak the syrup completely.
Enjoy it warm or store in an airtight jar in the refrigerator.