Til Chikki

Til Chikki 

Ingredients

• 1/2 Cup Sesame Seeds (Til)

• 1/2 Cup Jaggery (Gur), grated

• 1 Teaspoon Water

• 1 Teaspoon Ghee

• 1/2 Teaspoon Cardamom Powder

Til chikki is made during Sankranti (Uttarayan). Very nutritious and full of iron, seasme is good for health if consumed in winter. It is made by blending jaggery and sesame seeds together and lightly flavored with cardamom. In Gujarat til chikki is known as Tal Sankaliand this special recipe is savoured on the Makar Sankrant day. In Maharashtra there is a tradition of saying – ’tilgul ghya god god bola’ meaning ‘Accept these tilguls and speak sweet words’.Method:

1. Heat a non stick pan on medium heat, add sesame seeds.

1. Gently roast sesame seeds until light golden in color, stirring continuously.

1. Remove from heat and keep aside.

1. Grease rolling pin, counter top or cutting board with ghee.

1. Heat a non stick pan on medium low heat, add grated jaggery and water.

1. Melt and simmer until it turns dark brown, stirring continuously.

1. To check it is done, add a drop of jaggery mixture to cold water, it forms into hard ball like a brittle consistency.

1. Add ghee and cardamom powder, mix well.

1. Turn off the heat and add roasted sesame seeds.

1. Mix it thoroughly until sesame seeds are fully coated.

1. Immediately pour this mixture on top of greased surface.

1. Roll into a even big round, using a greased rolling pin, cut them immediately.

1. Allow to cool and store in an air-tight container.