Kaju Katli

Yep,you heard it right!! Kaju katli is one of the most easiest sweet to make.I remember the day when i got a sudden craving for these white bar and made it in a jiffy in the middle of the night.

INGREDIENTS:

Cashewnuts     - 1 cup

Sugar              - 1/2 cup

Ghee  - 2 tsp

Water- 1/4 cup

Milk -1 tbsp(optional)

Saffron strands(opt)-4 to 5

Rose essence(optional)

Edible silver foil(optional)

METHOD:

1. Grind cashews to a coarse powder.If the cashews were kept in refrigerator,bring them to room temperature before grinding them.
2. In a non stick pan,heat water and sugar.Keep stirring until the sugar dissolves.Then,add the saffron,cardamon powder and check for one string consistency (the sugar syrup must form a single,thin thread when tested between thumb and fore finger).
3. Now lower the heat and add the cashew powder and keep stirring.Add the ghee to the mixture.

4.Continue stirring until the mixture turns thick and starts boiling.When the mixture leaves the edges of pan,add rose essence and immediately turn off the heat.

5.Take a small piece from the mixture and see if you can form a smooth round ball  out of it,If so,then your Kaju katli is ready.If not,cook the mixture for another 1 to 2 minutes.

6.After the mixture cools down,knead it into a dough and add to a  pan greased with ghee.Cut them into diamond shape and garnish it with saffron.

Notes:

Add Milk if the mixture becomes too dry 

Adding Milk reduces shelf life of kaju katli

Dont over grind the cashewnuts.

Vazhakkai Bajji/Raw Plantain Bajji

Ingredients:

Vazhakkai/Raw Plantain- 2

Kadalai Mavu/Besan flour- 3/4 cup

Rice flour-2 tbsp

Red Chilli powder- 1 tsp

Turmeric powder -1/4 tsp

Asafoetida - a pinch

Baking soda- 1/4 tsp

Salt to taste

Frying Oil as required

Water-1/2 cup(adjust as required)

1)First take Vazhakkai/Raw Banana.

2)Peel the skin like this with a peeler or knife.

3)Slice them into thin slices.The slices should not be very thin or very thick.It should slightly thick.

4)In a bowl take 1 cup of besan flour.

5)Add red chilli powder,turmeric powder,rice flour,asafoetida,baking powder and salt.

6)Add water and mix it well without any lumps.

7)Dip the Vazhakkai/Raw banana and coat them well.

8)Fry the Vazhakkai/Raw Banana on both sides.

9) Serve hot with mint chutney or tomato sauce.

Notes:
Add  1 tsp of omam/ajwain seeds if preferred
You can also add 2 tsp of corn flour to the bajji batter