17 January, 2018

Gajak Recipe/Sesame Seed Brittle ~ Makar Sankranti Special

Gajak Recipe/Sesame Seed Brittle is a dessert enjoyed traditionally in winter, especially cooked for Makar Sankranti, and well known in North India.

Sesame Seed Brittle

Wish you a very Happy Sankranti to all!

So what is Makar Sankranti?

The first change in the zodiac after the winter solstice which according to the Hindu calendar is the first day of the month of Magha is Makar Sankranti also known as Makara Sankranti, Sankramana, Pongal.

This is a harvest festival and the abundance of food is celebrated. Sankranti marks the end of chilly winters.

Most dishes used around Makar Sankranti are Sesame seeds here are the health benefits of the tiny magical grains

Health Benefits

Not only are sesame seeds an excellent source of copper and a very good source of manganese, but they are also a good source of calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, vitamin B1, zinc, molybdenum, selenium, and dietary fiber. In addition to these important nutrients, sesame seeds contain two unique substances: sesamin and sesamolin. Both of these substances belong to a group of special beneficial fibers called lignans, and have been shown to have a cholesterol-lowering effect in humans, and to prevent high blood pressure and increase vitamin E supplies in animals. Sesamin has also been found to protect the liver from oxidative damage.

Sankranti is a very famous festival and festival calls for delicacies. This one call or Sesame seeds as a star ingredient these at my place my interest you.

• Sajji Rotti for Bhogi Habba~Sankranti Special
• Til/Sesame Seeds Chikki` Sankranti Special
• Til/Sesame Seeds Laddo ~ Sankranti Special
• Gul Poli~ Sankranti Special

Gajak is a dry sweet made from sesame seeds, and groundnuts, and jaggery. Sugar is also used to make gajak and the til/ sesame seeds are cooked in sugar syrup and set in thin layers. This can be stored for months.

Gajak has to be crunchy should break with a snap but should not be tough. i will like to make my gajak in jaggery but was lazy to grate the jaggery so made it from sugar.

It is not difficult, try this simple recipe that I copied from here.

The number of servings will depend on the size of your brittle/chikki, I made medium sized ones.

Gajak

Gajak Recipe ~ Makar Sankranti Special

• Preparation Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time; 15 minutes
• Passive Time: 10 minutes
• Servings 20 pieces

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup til/ sesame seeds
• 1/4 cup cashews ( I used kaju kani)
• 200 grams sugar
• 2 tbsp ghee+ more to grease
• 2 tbsp water

Method:

• Grease a rectangular tray with ghee and aside.
• Add the sesame seeds in a large heavy bottomed kadhai/wok.
• Dry roast on low heat until they turn brown. Set aside on a tray.
• Dry roast the cashew nuts too. Add to the sesame seeds tray.
• In the same kadhai/wok mix the sugar, ghee with water, and cook on medium heat until it turns thick and syrupy.
• You will get 3-4 strings when you test a drop between your thumb and forefinger. Be careful it is a hot syrup.
• Take off the heat and fold in the roasted sesame seeds and cashew nuts.
• Mix well, then transfer to the ghee-coated tray, and level it with a large flat katori or a greased rolling pin.
• While still hot/warm, make cuts on it.
• Once it has cooled down, you can separate the pieces.
• Serve or store them in an airtight container once properly cooled.

Notes:

• I found the gajak a bit too sweet. So next time will use 150 grams of sugar.

Gajak Recipe ~ Makar Sankranti Special

Print Recipe

Makar Sankranti Special treat yourself with Gajak /Sesame Seed Brittle a common sweet to beat winter blues.

• CourseDessert, Festival Cooking, Kid-Friendly
• CuisineIndian, North Indian

Servings	Prep Time
20 pieces	5 minutes

Cook Time	Passive Time
15 minutes	10 minutes

Servings Prep Time 20 pieces 5 minutes

Cook Time Passive Time 15 minutes 10 minutes

Gajak Recipe ~ Makar Sankranti Special Print Recipe Makar Sankranti Special treat yourself with Gajak /Sesame Seed Brittle a common sweet to beat winter blues. CourseDessert, Festival Cooking, Kid-Friendly CuisineIndian, North Indian Servings Prep Time 20 pieces 5 minutes Cook Time Passive Time 15 minutes 10 minutes Servings Prep Time 20 pieces 5 minutes Cook Time Passive Time 15 minutes 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Til/ sesame seeds
• 1/4 cup cashews I used kaju kani
• 200 grams Sugar
• 2 tbsp ghee+ more to grease
• 2 tbsp Water

Servings: pieces

Instructions

1. Grease a rectangular tray with ghee and aside.
2. Add the sesame seeds in a large heavy bottomed kadhai/wok.
3. Dry roast on low heat until they turn brown. Set aside on a tray.
4. Dry roast the cashew nuts too. Add to the sesame seeds tray.
5. In the same kadhai/wok mix the sugar, ghee with water, and cook on medium heat until it turns thick and syrupy.
6. You will get 3-4 strings when you test a drop between your thumb and forefinger. Be careful it is a hot syrup.
7. Take off the heat and fold in the roasted sesame seeds and cashew nuts.
8. Mix well, then transfer to the ghee-coated tray, and level it with a large flat katori or a greased rolling pin.
9. While still hot/warm, make cuts on it.
10. Once it has cooled down, you can separate the pieces.
11. Serve or store them in an airtight container once properly cooled.

Recipe Notes

I found the gajak a bit too sweet. So next time will use 150 grams of sugar.

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