During the festive season, if you want to avoid buying sweets from the market and prefer making something special at home, kaju katli makes for a wonderful choice. Its delightful taste is loved by everyone ranging from children to adults, and preparing it is not a cumbersome task at all. Sweets made at home using clean and pure ingredients are far better in terms of taste as well as health.
Preparing the Ingredients and Grinding Cashews
To make this fantastic sweet, you do not need to bring any expensive or adulterated sweets from the market. You only require a handful of cashews, sugar, and water, which are usually easily available in every household kitchen. First of all, take a bowl of cashews and grind them finely in a mixer grinder. While grinding the cashews, you must keep in mind that instead of running the mixer continuously, you should run it in short intervals. If you run the mixer continuously, the cashews might release their natural oils, causing the powder to stick together. After grinding properly, transfer this cashew powder into a clean vessel and keep it aside.
Making the Sugar Syrup and Cooking the Mixture
Now take a clean kadhai and add sugar along with a little water to it. Turn on the stove and let the sugar dissolve completely in the water to form a proper consistency of sugar syrup. Once the syrup is ready, add the previously ground cashew powder into it. Now mix both these primary ingredients thoroughly. Cook this mixture on low flame and keep stirring it continuously so that the cashew mixture does not stick to the bottom of the kadhai. Continuous stirring prevents lumps from forming and ensures a smooth texture.
Kneading the Mixture and Giving It Shape
When the mixture thickens gradually and starts leaving the sides of the kadhai, it indicates that it is completely ready and the stove should be turned off at this stage. After that, let the mixture cool down for a while, but make sure not to let it cool down completely. When the mixture is slightly warm, it can be easily kneaded by hand. Now apply a little ghee on your hands so that the mixture does not stick to them, and knead the cashew dough properly. Following this, place the kneaded mixture on a sheet of butter paper, place another sheet of butter paper on top, and roll it out thinly using a rolling pin. Keep in mind that the layer should not be made too thick. Leave it undisturbed for a short while so that the mixture sets and solidifies properly.
Cutting and Proper Storage Methods
Once the mixture has cooled completely and set firmly, use a sharp knife to cut long vertical strips out of it. Then cut them diagonally to give the classic diamond shape of kaju katli. Following this simple and straightforward process, delicious and pure kaju katli is ready right at home. If you wish, you can also garnish it using edible silver leaf to enhance its visual appeal. While preparing sweets, you should always use clean utensils to maintain hygiene. After the kaju katli is completely ready, store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh for a longer duration. By adopting this easy method, you can enjoy homemade pure sweets with your family and guests during festive occasions.
