3 healthy Makar Sankranti recipes to try

Sankranti is the time to gorge on chikki of all kind. Be it sesame, peanut or dryfruits, the crunchy chikki- also known as brittle – is loved by everyone. If made with jaggery, it’s a much healthier sweet option as compared to the ubiquitous barfis and pedhas.

On Makar Sankranti, the Hindu harvest festival, we give you three chikki recipes to try – one regular, one healthy and one decadent. Take your pick!

1. TIL CHIKKI

Preparation time: 5 mins

Cooking time: 9 mins

Makes: 16 pieces

Ingredients:3/4 cup sesame seeds (til), 1/2 cup chopped jaggery, 1 1/2 tsp ghee

Method

• Heat a deep non-stick pan, add the sesame seeds and dry roast on a medium flame for 5 to 6 minutes. Remove and keep aside.
• Heat the ghee in the same deep non-stick pan, add the jaggery, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 3 minutes, while stirring continuously.
• Switch off the flame, add the roasted sesame seeds and mix very well.
• When the mixture is ready, put the entire mixture over the back of a greased thali or a smooth stone surface. Roll it out thinly into a 200 mm. (8”) diameter circle using a greased rolling pin.
• Cut them into 38 mm. (1. 5’’×1. 5’’) square pieces using a sharp knife.
• Allow to cool completely and store in air-tight container.

Nutrient values per piece

Energy: 54 kcal, protein 1 gm, carbs 5.9 gm, fat  2.9 gm, fibre: 0.9 gm, vitamin A: 7.6 mcg, calcium: 85.3 mg, iron: 06 gm

2. OATS & WALNUT CHIKKI

Oats is rich in fibre while jaggery and walnuts have rich stores of iron. They come together in this healthy chikki variation.

Preparation time: 10 mins

Cooking time: 7 mins

Makes: 12 pieces

Ingredients:1 cup quick cooking rolled oats, 1/4 cup chopped walnuts, 1/2 cup roughly chopped jaggery, 1 tsp ghee

Method

• Heat a broad non-stick pan, add the oats and dry roast on a medium flame for 4 minutes. Remove and keep aside.
• In the same pan, heat the ghee, add the jaggery and mix well. Cook on a slow flame for 3 minutes, stirring continuously.
• Remove from the flame, add the roasted oats and walnuts and mix very well.
• Transfer the mixture immediately on the back side of a greased thali or a smooth greased stoned surface and roll the mixture into a rectangle using a greased rolling pin.
• Cut into equal square pieces and allow to cool completely.Serve or store in an air-tight container.

Nutrient values per piece

Energy: 64 kcal, protein 1.3 gm, carbs 10.1 gm, fat: 2.1 gm, iron 0.5 gm

3. CHOCOLATE & MIXED NUT CHIKKI

If you like the crunch of caramel, you will enjoy this nutty delight even more! The best part? It’s ready in minutes.

Setting time:  1 hour

Preparation time: 5 mins

Cooking time: 1 mins

Makes: 16 pieces

Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups roughly chopped dark chocolate,1/2 cup coarsely crushed mixed nut chikki

Method

• Put the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl and microwave on high for 1 minute.Remove from the microwave and stir continuously. Add the chikki and mix well.
• Pour into chocolate moulds and keep refrigerated for at least an hour. Store in an air-tight container.
• The chikki used in this recipe is best crushed using a mortar-pestle (khalbhatta) rather than a mixer.

Enjoy your Makar Sankranti celebration and spread the cheer with these healthy chikki recipes.