Homemade Nutty Delight Chikki

Ingredients

• 1 cup (200g) peanuts 1 cup (200g) peanuts
• 1/2 cup (75g) almonds 1/2 cup (75g) almonds
• 1/2 cup (75g) cashews 1/2 cup (75g) cashews
• 1 cup (200g) jaggery 1 cup (200g) jaggery
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder
• 1 tablespoon ghee (clarified butter) 1 tablespoon ghee (clarified butter)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 180 kcal / 753 KJ
• Fat: 10g (2g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 20g (15g sugars)
• Protein: 5g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.01g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Dry roast the peanuts, almonds, and cashews separately in a pan until they turn golden brown. Allow them to cool, then coarsely chop them.
2. 2.
   Heat ghee in a pan and add the jaggery. Stir continuously until the jaggery melts and forms a thick syrup.
3. 3.
   Add the cardamom powder and cinnamon powder to the jaggery syrup and mix well.
4. 4.
   Add the roasted nuts to the syrup and mix until they are well coated.
5. 5.
   Transfer the mixture onto a greased surface or a parchment-lined tray.
6. 6.
   Using a greased rolling pin, roll out the mixture to an even thickness.
7. 7.
   While the mixture is still warm, cut it into desired shapes using a greased knife or cookie cutter.
8. 8.
   Allow the Chikki to cool and harden completely before storing in an airtight container.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Peanuts — Ensure that the peanuts are dry roasted until they are golden brown to enhance their flavor and crunchiness.
• Jaggery — Use fresh and good quality jaggery for the best taste. Break it into small pieces before melting it to ensure even melting.
• Cardamom and cinnamon powder — Grind whole cardamom pods and cinnamon sticks to obtain fresh and aromatic powders.

Tips & Tricks

• To add an extra layer of flavor, you can lightly roast the cardamom and cinnamon before grinding them into powder.
• If you prefer a softer texture, you can reduce the cooking time for the jaggery syrup.
• Experiment with different combinations of nuts, such as walnuts or pistachios, to create your own unique Chikki flavors.
• For a spicier twist, you can add a pinch of chili powder or ground ginger to the jaggery syrup.
• Store the Chikki in an airtight container to maintain its freshness and crunchiness.

Serving advice

Serve the Chikki as a sweet snack or dessert. It pairs well with a cup of hot masala chai or a glass of milk.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Chikki pieces on a decorative plate or in a glass jar for an appealing presentation. You can also wrap individual pieces in colorful paper or foil for gifting.