Mixed Nut Chikki (Dry Fruit Chikki)

When to eat Chikki

What I love about recipes that are made on certain occasions is that it takes the guesswork out of the age-old question - what to cook? 

I know that I will guaranteed get to savour all of my favourites as they all have their special place in the calendar!

In India, these brittles or chikkis are often eaten during the January Indian festival known as Makarsakranti in western India. It is known as Lohri in North India or Pongal in South India. 

Not only then, but this can be enjoyed as a mid-morning or afternoon snack, as a light dessert or in childrens' lunch box (make sure your children's school is not nut-free )

During the winter in Gujarat, along with chikkis, gajak and brittles, another delicacy enjoyed by people is Kachriyu and Peanuts and Sesame Kachariyu. Kachariyu is a sweet traditionally made from raw crushed sesame seeds.

For savoury food, Makarsakranti is famous for eating:

Undhiyu 

Khasta Kachori

Vegetable Pulao with Gujarati Kadhi

Mixed Dry Fruit Chikki

I was debating on the title for these for a while. The original title for this blog post back in 2011 was "Mixed Dry Fruit and Seeds Brittle". 

In India, nuts are known as dry fruit alongside actual dried fruit such as dates, figs, apricot etc. I have changed the title to Mixed Nuts as I feel it is more appropriate and explains what has actually gone into the recipe. 

Ingredients for Mixed Nuts and Seeds Brittle/Chikki

(exact measurements found in the recipe card below)

• almond slivers or toasted flakes
• pistachios -unsalted
• cashew nuts - raw
• grated coconut - desiccated coconut provides an extra sweet and nutty flavour 
• sesame seeds - we have used brown sesame seeds which are commonly used for this recipe, but white sesame seeds work fine too. 
• pumpkin seeds - You can also use a combination of pumpkin and sunflower seeds or one or the other. If you do not want to use any sesame seed, you could completely omit them and make Sunflower Seed Brittle or Pumpkin Seed brittle purely using those ingredients alone. 
• sugar - regular granulated sugar
• cardamom powder - to give this brittle an Indian flavour, we have added a pinch of cardamom powder. Cardamom powder is the go-to flavouring for most Indian sweets
• ghee - we have used homemade desi ghee. For a vegan option, see below. You could use butter but I think that the flavour of ghee is best. 

Can I make vegan sesame seed snaps?

You can easily make vegan sesame seed brittle. All you have to do is swap the ghee for coconut oil. 

The brittle will still have a very similar texture and I don't think that there is much difference in the flavour of the brittle. 

You can also use vegetable ghee which is the vegan alternative to desi ghee. Desi ghee or asli ghee is made purely from butter. Vegetable ghee is made from vegetable oils making it vegan. 

Equipment required to make Sesame Seed snaps

You must use a thick bottom pan or kadai or non-stick pan with a thick base. Try to use a wide pan so you can freely mix and stir. 

To roll the mixture on, I recommend a flat wooden chopping board and wooden rolling pin, do not use a plastic chopping board.

If chopping board is not available use stainless steel plate and use upside down. 

Texture of these mixed nuts brittle

These mixed nuts and seeds brittle will have a bite similar to ginger nut biscuits. 

This bite is achieved by the sugar as it hardens. 

How to cut Sesame Seed Brittle

This brittle recipe is so quick, the mixture hardens in less than 1-2 minutes once it is done. In this short time, you need to roll out the mixture and cut it too. Once it hardens you won't be able to cut it, only way there is to use a hammer to break it! 

Use a knife or pizza cutter to cut into diamonds. 

Tips

There is a skill to making chikki and getting the texture and bite just right. 

You have to work fast with this recipe - so no distractions and background tv on (I should seriously take my own advice someday ...) 

Make sure all the nuts, seeds and ghee are not too old or rancid otherwise chikki will be bitter and can make you ill. 

Whilst roasting the seeds keep an eye and stir it continually. 

Keep the nuts fairly small in size so they are easy to roll it out. 

Whilst dissolving the sugar, keep the heat on LOW. On HIGHER flame the sugar will burn and taste bitter. As soon as the sugar has melted completely turn off the heat then add the other ingredients. 

Grease the chopping board and rolling pin with ghee before you roll out the mixture to prevent the mixture sticking.

You can alter the ratio of sesame seed to the nuts to achieve the flavour and texture that you like best.

Storage

These chikki or brittles can be made ahead. Simply cook the recipe per below and let it cool completely before you store it in an airtight container.

These easy and quick Mixed Nut and Sesame Seed Chiiki will stay fresh and good for up to 2-3 weeks.

As there is no moisture in there, they won't go soft and that bite will remain. 

How to roast sesame seed for brittle or chikki

To get delicious and aromatic sesame chikki or brittle it is necessary that you roast the sesame seeds before you make it. You'll need perfectly roasted sesame seeds or til that has the perfect crunch, colour and taste...so I wanted to share a few tips that I've learnt from my mum that are so easy to follow.

Always check the sesame seeds before you roast, in case of any tiny stones that have made their way into the packet.

1. Make sure you use a heavy bottom pan.
2. Always dry roast the sesame seeds and keep the heat on low.
3. Keep stirring continuously
4. Once they start roasting you will be able to smell the aroma of the sesame seeds.
5. Then, the colour will slightly change -  it will go darker in shade and then a couple of them start to pop.
6. At this stage turn off the heat, but leave the seeds in a pan and keep roasting them.
7. Once they stop popping, remove the pan from the heat and let the sesame cool in the pan itself.
8. You'll have perfectly toasted sesame seeds ready, especially for this recipe.

How to make Mixed Nuts and Sesame Seed Chikki

Enjoy!

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