Winter delight: Give gajak a healthy, wholesome twist with this dry fruit recipe

Every season has its own charm. While we love to enjoy the rainy season with chai and pakoda, we want to cuddle up in a blanket with a hot cup of chai during the winter. The most munched on foods include dry fruits, jaggery, peanuts and all that can give us a bit of warmth! So, how about trying a gajak which is loaded with the goodness of all these things.

The season whets our appetite for all things sweet and savoury. Winter comes with ample delicacies and delights that not only keep your body temperature warm and cozy, but simultaneously boost your metabolism and cure winter allergies.

One of our childhood favourites is gajak. Gajak is a dry sweet made from sesame seeds and jaggery. Typically available in North India, it is cooked and then pounded to get the flaky, chewy texture which makes it a perfect dessert or sweet snack to tickle your taste buds.

Check out the recipe for a delicious delight for your family, from online recipe hub Hebbar’s Kitchen. And we’ve given it a little dry fruit touch to make it more winter-friendly.

gajak
Use white sesame seeds for gajak! Image courtesy: Shutterstock

Dry fruit gajak recipe

Ingredients:

  1. Til or sesame seeds (white): 1 cup
  2. Ghee: 1-2 teaspoons
  3. Jaggery: 200 grams
  4. Dry fruits (almonds, pistachio, cashew): 100 grams, finely chopped
  5. Peanuts: 50 grams

Preparation:

  • Place a pan on the gas burner, and add sesame seeds to it.
  • Dry roast them till they acquire a light brown hue.
  • Once they are roasted, cool them by spreading them on a plate.
  • Now in the same pan, add dry fruits like cashews, pistachios and almonds, and even peanuts. Roast them on a low flame, but ensure they don’t go black! Who wants a bitter tasting gajak, after all!
  • Once you remove the roasted nuts from the flame, add ghee into the pan. Add the good ol’ jaggery to it and allow it to melt on low fire. The key here is to keep mixing it constantly so that the melted jaggery doesn’t stick to the pan.
  • When the jaggery melts, it’s time for you to add the roasted sesame seeds. Mix it well to avoid lumps.
  • Then, add the roasted dry fruits and mix properly. Remember to keep the flame intensity low.
  • Let this cook for 1-2 minutes.
  • It’s time to set it! Grease a flat plate/thali with a few drops of ghee, and then pour the mixture. Spread it evenly.
  • Cut into shapes and pieces as you wish once this cools off.

And you’re ready to eat it!

The good part about this gajak recipe is that it is quick and easy. And the best part about the end result is that it can last you at least a month if you store it well.

But let us also tell you about why this gajak is healthy.

gajak
Jaggery-based sweets are high on taste and health. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

Health benefits of the ingredients:

1. Dry fruits, especially during winters give smooth and glowing skin and also build immunity. This gajak gives ticks the boxes without compromising on taste.
2. Boosts energy level
3. Jaggery improves digestion. It is a healthy sweetener, great cleanser, aids glucose control and weight loss.
4. Sesame contains calcium, and it promotes bone health. It can also reduce joint pain and back pain during winters.

Now tell us if you have reason enough not to try this special gajak, ladies?