Mixed Nuts Chikki
Recipe: Mixed Nuts Chikki
Mixed Nuts Chikki is a take on the traditional peanut chikki or brittle that is popular during the Makar Sankranti celebrations. I have used a mixture of nuts, sesame seeds and jaggery for that earthy warm flavour. This chikki or brittle comes together within 15 minutes.Sharing Mixed Nuts Chikki Recipe With The Group FoodieMonday/ Bloghop
The 229th theme for this Monday is Sankranti Specials. Since I am in Bangalore, I really wanted to make Undhiyu as that is a popular dish for Gujaratis during Makar Sankranti or Uttaran. Hot spicy Undhiyu, puffed up pooris and jalebi. Perfect Sankranti meal. Oh well! Putting the Undhiyu recipe on my blog will have to wait.Happy Makar Sankranti to all my friends, followers and family.
What is Makar Sankranti?
Makar Sankranti, Uttarayan, Lohri, Maghi, Bihu, Thai Pongal, Suggi Habba, Makara Sankramana all fall more or less on the same day. These are all harvest festivals celebrated according to each one’s tradition and culture. Makar Sankranti, is dedicated to the Sun God Surya. It also marks the end of the winter solstice and beginning of longer daylight. While most communities will celebrate Makar Sankranti according to their tradition and culture, it is largely associated with kite flying and delicious food.Importance of Sesame Seeds and Jaggery during Makar Sankranti
Most of Makar Sankranti treats will have sesame seeds and jaggery in them. Usually I make Til Gud ke Ladoo, Oats and Nuts Laddos, Tal Sankari, or Chocolate Sesame Fudge and each one will have sesame seeds and jaggery. Both til or sesame seeds and gud or jaggery is considered to be perfect winter foods as they help to keep the body warm and increases immunity. Jaggery is rich in iron and Vitamin C. Also its believed that one should eat til gud and speak well or say good things to others.Food and Makar Sankranti
Depending from which area or community your belong to, there are some dishes that are a ‘must’ for Makar Sankranti. In Gujarati, besides Tal Sankari, Undhiyu like Poonam has prepared is enjoyed by friends and families while flying kites. During Thai Pongal, Sakkarai Pongal (sweet pongal) prepared by Priya and Ven Pongal made by Aruna are a must. Some like Kalyani, prepare Thalagam Kuzhambu (curry) with Rava Pongal. Northern States tend to make Sesame and Jaggery Papdi like Renu has. Swaty who hails from UP make Chilka Urad Dal Khichdi. They make the rice and lentil mix and donate it to the priests on Makar Sankranti along with jaggery. Maharashtrians tend to make Gulachi Poli or Tilgul Poli, a flatbread with jaggery and sesame seeds. My neighbor in Bangalore is from Bihar and she will be making Dahi Chura as it is a tradition in Bihar. Bengalis celebrate Poush Sankranti and Sujata makes the traditional Gokul Pithe. Karnataka state has the traditional Ellu Bella Mixture which Preethi enjoys making. North Karnataka also has an interesting millet flatbread called Sajji Rotti with sesame seeds which is prepared a day before Makar Sankranti. I’m sure Archana will be preparing it this year too.
Memories
Saturday 11th Jan
The day started with me having a light spring in my walk and my smile a mile long, as my daughter was coming from Dubai. We planned a party for her friends in the evening and that’s when I thought better make the brittle so that they can enjoy it too. However, as the day progressed, it became sad and disappointing. Had to cancel the party as my daughter’s flight time kept on delaying due to heavy rains in Dubai, which flooded the runways. Who can imagine so much rain in a desert? As the day turned into evening and then night I must have tracked her flight a million times hoping that it will take off soon. Exhausted, I feel asleep at 3 a.m. and no the flight didn’t take off when I woke up! My daughter had till 5 a.m. Dubai time spent over 20 hours at the airport. Exhausted, she went back home. She will now probably arrive after 2-3 days.Sunday 12th Jan
A day when I didn’t want to do anything around the house. Got up and wanted to snuggle up in bed again. As the day progressed, a sense of responsibility prevailed and got ready to visit Sneha Care Home, a home for orphans. Along with our Purva Skywood Charity Community we went to give 45 children their presents. What Skywood does is, they get a list of what the kids may want, and then Skywood residents purchase and wrap the gifts. Instead of choosing only one child to give a gift to, I decided to make goodie bags for all 45 with a juice packet, Oreo Packet, a lollipop and a Chikki. Warm smiles, hugs and happy faces made my day.
Makar Sankranti 2020
As I am in India this time, I thought I’d be able to prepare the traditional Gujarati Undhiyu but finding ratalu (purple yam), surti papdi, fresh green garlic proved to be difficult. Thought of using loads of nuts to make a different type of chikki, something different this year. What I like about this recipe is that I can cook the jaggery to soft ball consistency for a softer chikki or brittle or to a hard ball consistency for a hard brittle. Just to keep with tradition added roasted sesame seeds and peanuts too to the mixture.
Ingredients Required For Mixed Nuts Chikki
Mixed Nuts
Use any nuts of your choice. I have used walnuts, almonds, pistachio, peanuts and walnuts. I took ¼ cup each of the whole nuts. Chopped them up roughly and toasted them in the pan for 2-3 minutes. Can also toast them in the microwave oven for 2 minutes. Previously I have tired making the chikki with bigger pieces of the nuts but the chikki or brittle does not hold shape.Sesame Seeds
Just to keep up with tradition, I added 2 tbsp of sesame seeds. Toast them lightly in the pan till the seeds begin to pop. Add them to the nuts mixture.Jaggery
It is best to use jaggery that is not too hard. Cut, grate or crush the jaggery into smaller pieces so that it melts faster. I took about 120g of jaggery which is about a cup when it grated or crushed.Cardamom Powder
To add flavour to the chikki.Ghee
Makes the chikki soft and adds flavour. For vegan version use coconut oil or any odourless oil.Water
We will add a bit of water to help the jaggery to melt faster.
MIXED NUTS CHIKKI
Mixed Nuts Chikki is a take on the traditional peanut chikki or brittle that is popular during the Makar Sankranti celebrations. I have used a mixture of nuts, sesame seeds and jaggery for that earthy warm flavour. This chikki or brittle comes together within 15 minutes.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup whole cashew nuts
- ¼ cup whole almonds
- ¼ cup peanuts
- ¼ cup whole pistachios
- ¼ cup whole walnuts
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds
- 120 g jaggery grated
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp ghee
- ¼ tsp cardamom powder
Instructions
- Lightly grease a rolling pin and the bottom of a steel bowl with some ghee.
- Keep a silicon mat ready or use parchment paper. If you are using parchment paper, grease it lightly with some ghee.
- Grate, chop or crush the jaggery to smaller pieces.
- Chop the nuts roughly into small pieces.
- Toast the nuts in a pan over medium to low heat for 2-3 minutes.
- Transfer them a plate.
- In the same pan toast the sesame seeds, till they begin to pop. Remember to keep stirring the seeds so that they do not burn.
- Transfer them to the plate which has the nuts.
- Add water and jaggery to the pan. Increase the heat to medium.
- Mix the jaggery and break up any lumps.
- The mixture will begin to bubble. Keep mixing it.
- Then it will become really frothy. Cook till it turns dark brown in colour.
- Add a few drops of the melted jaggery to a bowl of cold water. Wait for 30 seconds.
- Roll the jaggery to see if it has reached the soft ball consistency.
- It should roll up into a ball easily and not break.
- If not continue to cook the jaggery.
- Add a few drops again in the water to see if the consistency is correct.
- Add the ghee and cardamom powder and mix well.
- Add the nuts and sesame seed mixture to the melted jaggery.
- Mix well. Take the pan off the heat.
- Quickly transfer the mixture to the silicon mat or the parchment paper.
- Using the greased bowl, pat the mixture into a thin layer.
- Use the rolling pin to make the chikki for brittle thinner.
- Allow the chikki to cool down completely.
- When it is cold, break the chikki into pieces.
- If you want even pieces, then cut the warm chikki into squares using a sharp knife.
- Allow it to cool completely.
- Enjoy mixed nuts chikki for Makar Sankranti.
Notes
- To set and cut it like traditional chikki chop the nuts into smaller pieces.
- Be careful not to over cook the jaggery otherwise the brittle will be very hard.
- Use any nuts of your choice.
- As the ratio of nuts to jaggery is less, it may be difficult to roll the chikki very thin.
- I leave the jaggery at a soft ball consistency so that the chikki doesn't become too hard. Makes it ideal for the elders and small kids to enjoy without destroying their teeth.
Pin For Later
A Small Request
If you do try this recipe then please either- add a comment below,
- send a picture to my email mayuri.ajay.patel62@gmail.com
- tag me as #mayuri_jikoni on Instagram
- or comment on Pinterest @mayuri62
21 Comments
Batter Up With Sujata
January 16, 2020 at 6:13 am
Nuts and jaggery bristles sounds interesting and delicious. All the dry fruits, jaggery gulkand definitely made it flavorful and lipsmacking. Loved reading about the sankranti special dishes from different states. There are many more to learn. Thanks for including my gokul pithe. Its my son’s most favorite pithe ☺️
mayurisjikoni
January 16, 2020 at 6:47 pm
Thanks Sujata, I will try the pithe recipe someday.
Batter Up With Sujata
January 16, 2020 at 6:51 pm
Sure. Let me know how it turns out ☺️
The Girl Next Door
January 16, 2020 at 5:07 pm
Oooh, I absolutely love the ingredients you have used in this brittle, especially the dried kiwi and gulkand. I bet this must have tasted absolutely delightful! 🙂
mayurisjikoni
January 16, 2020 at 6:41 pm
Thank you so much Priya, the sourness from the kiwi balanced the sweetness and the gulkhand provided such a delicate floral taste.
FoodTrails
January 17, 2020 at 12:20 am
Must have tasted delicious with all the nuts. A very humble gesture by all of you visiting kids and making their day!! Hope you get to meet your daughter soon and spend good time with her!!
mayurisjikoni
January 18, 2020 at 7:20 pm
Thank you so much Swati, its amazing how little things bring a huge smile on the kids faces. My daughter arrived a couple of days back and so trying to enjoy the limited time with her.
Renu Agrawal Dongre
January 18, 2020 at 2:02 pm
I am loving this preparation specially because it need not be formed into ladoo or any specific shape. Just enjoy, I at times do this with Jaggery and peanuts. Healthy sweet
mayurisjikoni
January 18, 2020 at 7:09 pm
Tha.nks Renu, I loved the part where I just broke the brittle into uneven shapes.
Preethi Prasad
January 19, 2020 at 8:50 am
This mixed nuts chikki is irresistible. Can’t take my eyes of the pictures.
mayurisjikoni
January 19, 2020 at 1:40 pm
Thank you so much Preethi, kiwi added the slight sourness and the floral flavour from the gulkhand.
Vasusvegkitchen
January 19, 2020 at 6:01 pm
Mixed Nuts Chikki looks very delectable and irresistible di. Love to have it daily as it is healthy with crunchy and nutty taste.
mayurisjikoni
January 19, 2020 at 8:11 pm
Thanks Aruna, you’re right one can have this anytime as I’ve added more nuts and fruits compared to the jaggery.
poonampagar
January 19, 2020 at 8:06 pm
Nuts jaggery chikki looks very tempting. Can imagine the burst of flavours in this brittle has with cardamom added.
mayurisjikoni
January 19, 2020 at 8:10 pm
Thanks Poonam.
Mina Joshi
January 20, 2020 at 1:46 pm
This nuts and jaggery brittle sounds wonderful. I love all the different brittles that get made during Makar Shankranthi. Surprised to read that certain vegetables for undhiyu weren’t available in January.
mayurisjikoni
January 20, 2020 at 3:43 pm
Thanks Mina, I too love different kinds of brittle or chikki. Undhiyu vegetables are in abundance in Gujarat and Mumbai but not common in Bangalore. I was told to get any Gujju stuff I’d probably would have to visit an area called Gandhinagar in Bangalore and that is just too far from where I live.
Mireille Roc (@ChefMireille)
January 20, 2020 at 9:45 pm
Since I have nut allergies, I wont be able to enjoy this, but I can definitely make it for my guests at my next party.
mayurisjikoni
January 23, 2020 at 9:09 pm
Thanks Mireille, but you could try a seeds and dried fruit one.
Vandana
January 24, 2020 at 7:11 pm
Great to know your daughter lives in Dubai. I also live there. Yes it rained heavily in Dubai this year. Hope your daughter was able to visit India finally. Loved this recipe. Chikki is one of my favorite sweet treats . I have to try your recipe now. And, yes loved your initiative of going to meet orphans with these treats. I believe every couple should adopt at least one orphan as every child needs the comfort of a family.
mayurisjikoni
January 25, 2020 at 7:29 pm
Thank you so much Vandana. My daughter managed to take a flight after 3 days from the incident and today she is leaving. Glad to hear you live in Dubai.