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Katlu – Gujarati Style Winter Warmer Wholesome Bars

Katlu, a traditional sweet dish hails from Gujarat which is popular during winter months and is wholesome and loaded with nourishment.  A sweet dish prepared with wheat flour, Jaggery, a generous amount of ghee, Indian herbs and spices which are considered as a medicine according to Ayurveda, so this dish is on more of a health benefits side.

Katlu  - A Gujarati Style Winter Warmer Wholesome Bars are given to new mothers and consumed by all during winter months.
 

WINTER WARMER FOOD

Around the world in many countries with different cultures, people from all backgrounds have their own food remedies to have in cold winter times as energy boosters. There is a saying in Gujarati ‘ Je Shiyala ma khay pak, tene na lage thaak‘ translates as ‘if one eats good winter warmer food during winter, that person will stay full of energy’

In Gujarat, families traditionally starts to prepare winter warmer dishes that will help in keeping yourself healthy and fit as soon as the first sign of cold weather appears. The youngsters of the family rely on the very elderly for help and advice on how to go about making these or they use very old recipe books.

Katlu  - A Gujarati Style Winter Warmer Wholesome Bars are given to new mothers and consumed by all during winter months.

AYURVEDA ON WINTER WARMER FOOD

According to many Vaidya (Ayurvedic practitioners), they advise that people should eat a specific type of foods which provides them energy and keep the health of mind, body, and spirit free from diseases, so if these winter warmers are consumed in the cold season it will actually help you healthwise during the rest of the year.

As we all know that we seem to burn more calories in winter as our body needs more fuel, it is advisable to consume high energy foods such as nuts, ghee ( clarified butter), Jaggery and whole grains. In Ayurveda, these special winters warmer foods such as Methi Paak (Fenugreek Bars) , Gundar Paak ( edible gum bars ) Saalam Paak ( herbs and spices bars) Katlu and many more healthy bars of this type are given the utmost importance.

The contents of these bars are very specific in providing heat to the body and keep the immune system good, so these are very useful to consume during the cold and harsh weather.

More Winter Warmer Recipes – Peanuts and Sesame Kachariyu | Broken Wheat and Flax Seeds Ladoo | 

Katlu  - A Gujarati Style Winter Warmer Wholesome Bars are given to new mothers and consumed by all during winter months.

 

KATLU

So What is Katlu? you may ask. Well, family and friends would not hesitate to make these for you if they find out that one has just given birth, it is very familiar to consume by the new mother after giving birth as it has lots of healing and strengthening properties. It works magically to get you back on your feet.

But having said that Katlu can be consumed by anyone during the cold weather as it is packed with powerful ingredients. The main ingredient of this Katlu recipe is KATLU OR BATRISU POWDER which is a blend of 32 types of Indian herbs and spices. Also, Ingredients such as methi, edible gum, and ginger helps in strengthing of the backbones and joints. Desi Ghee and Nuts provide protein, fats, minerals and a rich source of energy.

These traditional and rustic looking Katlu bars appears sweet in taste but with a sharp distinct flavour which takes time to get used to as it is quite overpowering. Katlu is all in one, energy bar you will need as it contains each and every beneficial ingredient that will do the job so no need to make other various time-consuming winter warmers.

Katlu  - A Gujarati Style Winter Warmer Wholesome Bars are given to new mothers and consumed by all during winter months.

Katlu squares in a wooden bowl

Katlu

Hayley Dhanecha
Katlu is a Gujarati style winter warmer wholesome bar. These bars are prepared with wholesome ingredients such as Nuts, Indian herbs and Spices, Wheat flour and jaggery. One a day in winter keeps you warm and energetic.
5 from 1 vote
Course Snack
Cuisine Gujarati

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams Whole wheat flour I used wholemeal chapatti flour
  • 750 grams Desi ghee
  • 750 grams Jaggery Grated
  • 250 grams Fenugreek powder methi powder
  • 250 grams Edible Gum Gond or Gundar
  • 150 grams Dry ginger powder
  • 200 grams Katlu Batrisu powder
  • 150 grams Desiccated coconut
  • 300 grams Mixed Nuts roughly chopped I used cashew, almond, pistachio, walnuts
  • 100 grams Poppy seeds
  • 150 grams Dates and Dried figs chopped
  • 100 grams Raisins
  • 2 tbsp. Cardamom and Nutmeg powder

Instructions
 

  • On a previous night heat 250g ghee and add methi powder and mix well, leave it aside whole night.
  • Next day morning start preparing katlu.
  • In a big and wide plate place mixed nuts, raisins, dates and figs, cardamom, nutmeg, desiccated coconut, ginger powder, poppy seeds and katlu powder. Mix well.
  • Heat about 100g ghee in a kadai, and fry edible gum and add into the mixed powder plate.
  • Now add more ghee(250g) and heat and add wheat flour and fry on a very low heat until nice and pink.
  • It will take about 18-20 minutes.
  • Transfer fried flour into the plate, straight away add soaked methi powder as well. Mix everything so well.
  • Now heat remaining ghee in the same pan, and add jaggery and make jaggery syrup without any water. It will take about 5-7 minutes.
  • Meanwhile keep a greased tray or thali next to you.
  • Pour jaggery syrup on the prepared flour mixture and quickly mix.
  • Transfer katlu mix in the greased tray and spread evenly.
  • Sprinkle almond and pistachio slivers (optional) and let it cool for an hour. Then cut into the desired shapes.
  • Once totally cooled down, store in an airtight container.
  • Consume ONLY 1 piece every morning with a glass of milk.

Notes

Katlu or Batrisu powder is available in any Indian grocery store or online.

The nutritional information provided is an approximation calculated by an online calculator/plugin. Please consult a professional dietitian for nutritional advice.

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Recipe Rating




Altaf

Monday 9th of May 2022

Excellent. can you please send me the katlu powder recipe on my email. Appreciate your help. Thnx

Bithika

Saturday 16th of January 2021

Thank you for letting me know.

Bithika

Wednesday 13th of January 2021

Hello! Thank you for sharing the recipe. I was wondering if children older than 5 years old and everyone in the family can eat it or is it something for women alone. Please share your thoughts.

jcookingodyssey

Wednesday 13th of January 2021

Hello BithikaYou may give very tiny amount if kids like the taste of it, but not regularly as all these spices and herbs have quite strong flavours. Yes other members of the family can have Katlu.

Anonymous

Wednesday 6th of January 2021

Thanks for your recipe. I am 33 weeks pregnant,first time mom. My mother or MIL can't come during delivery because of covid.So can I make it in advance for postpartum, one month before due date? Should I store it in fridge or freezer? What is the shelf life?

jcookingodyssey

Thursday 7th of January 2021

It stays good for 6-8 weeks.

jcookingodyssey

Thursday 7th of January 2021

Hi, first of all congratulations from JCO! Yes, katlu can be made in advance but I would say try 2 weeks before and you don't have to store in fridge or freezer. Get all the ingredients ready including chopped nuts so you won't need to spend much time in the kitchen. However, if you want to make 4 weeks before there is no harm in :) Let us know if any other query you have? All the best and don't forget to click a picture for us. All the best, take care

Happy

Friday 10th of April 2020

I’m unable to find Katlu powder online. I live on Vancouver Island, Canada and we don’t have a good Indian spices store here. I can’t find Katlu online. One online store only ships within USA. Does anyone have a recipe for the powder so I can make/grind it at home? I couldn’t find the powder recipe online either. Thank you!

jcookingodyssey

Friday 10th of April 2020

Hello Happy, thank you for stopping by. Sorry to hear that you can't find katlu powder online or anywhere. Please email us and we can send a picture of katlu powder ingredients, if that helps.