It’s that time of the year again when we crave for delights like our good old chikki! Here is a simple recipe to make a healthy peanut-til chikki at home, with a flavourful pista-elaichi twist. Hope you enjoy this recipe.
Ingredients:
2 cup raw peanuts
½ cup sesame seeds
1 cup jaggery
1 tbsp honey (optional)
1 tbsp pistachio (optional)
¼ tsp cardamom powder (optional)
Pinch of salt
Serving: 15 chikkis
Calorific Value (per serving):
Energy: 175 kcal
Protein: 6 gm
Carbs: 15 gm
Fats: 10 gm
Fibre: 2.2 gm
Method:
1. Dry roast peanuts on a low flame till they start crackling and loosening their outer
cover. While roasting do ensure to keep stirring them so that peanuts get roasted from all the sides.
2. Remove peanuts and set them aside. Once they cool down you can remove their cover by rubbing between your hands or you can put them in a piece of cloth and rub them from outside.
3. After the skin has been separated, slightly crush the peanuts using the bottom of a steel glass or any bowl.
4. Again, on a low flame toast sesame seeds, stirring in between, till they slightly change colour and start releasing their aroma.
5. Now take diced jaggery in a pan, preferably flat-bottomed pan, on medium to low flame. Let jaggery sit for few seconds till it start melting. Once jaggery has melted, you can add honey.
Note: You may totally avoid honey; we have added it for its flavour and health benefit.
6. Now with help of a spatula keep stirring the jaggery syrup constantly till the syrup gets thicker and starts getting slightly dark golden in colour.
7. To check whether it is done, drop a few drops of jaggery in a bowl having cold water. If the droplet hardens immediately and becomes brittle it means it is done. Another way to check is to take the jaggery droplet out from cold water and throw it on surface; if it makes crackling sound it means it is done. It should not be stretchable or of chewy texture.
8. Turn off the flame and add diced pistachios, cardamom powder and salt. Give everything a slight stir.
Note: You may avoid this step. We have added these ingredients for extra flavour.
9. Now add peanuts and sesame seeds stir them quickly so that they get coated with jaggery. Now immediately transfer them on a butter paper.
10. Now place another butter paper over the mixture and roll it to a thin sheet with a rolling pin. This step may involve some effort, but just roll it hard so that you get a sheet of chikki of your desired thickness.
11. Now remove top butter paper and let this chikki sheet rest for 15- 20 minutes. Once it cools down completely, you can cut square or rectangle shape chikkis from this sheet.
Your favourite peanut till chikki is ready to serve!
Know Your Ingredients:
Peanut
Peanuts are rich in protein, good quality fat and various nutrients. The protein content ranges from 22–30% of its total calories, making peanuts a great source of plant-based protein.
Sesame seeds
Sesame seeds are a good source of healthy fats, protein, B vitamins, minerals, fiber, and rich in various antioxidants. They are high in magnesium which is good for heart health and helps in lowering blood pressure.
Cardamom
Cardamom, like many spices, is packed with nutrition and has been used as an ancient remedy with many medicinal properties. Cardamom is rich in vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, manganese, iron, calcium, potassium, zinc and magnesium. Cardamom is high in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory effects. It is considered beneficial for lowering blood pressure, improving breathing as well as supporting weight loss. It is also considered to have compounds that help fight cancer. Cardamom also helps improve oral health and is used to fight bad breath.
Pistachio
Pistachio is high in protein, fiber, and antioxidants. Their essential amino acid content is higher than any other nut. They also have several other important nutrients, including vitamin B6 and potassium.