What is Chikki?
Chikki is an Indian sweet snack that was created in the Maharashtra region. It is a combination of peanuts, butter or ghee and a type of sugar called jaggers. Refreshments are cut into small squares that can be consumed quickly. The same meal made in almost the same way is also popular in Brazil, called pe-de-moleque . There are changes to the original recipe, including adding fruit or replacing another type of nuts.
Binding component in Chikki is jaggers. It is a type of sugar that is extracted from sugar cane and palm trees. Sugar is clear because it contains molasses and is largely unrefined. It has a similarity to brown sugar and is the same in its density and stickiness. Some Asian and Indian grocery stores sell a special type of jaggers designed specifically for Chikki production.
The chikki production process is quite simple. This involves creating a syrup from Jaggery by mixing with water and it warms up and then add ghee or butter. If necessary are matrix with skin andadded to the syrup to be coated. The whole mixture is poured to the surface where they emerge in the leaf and cut into squares or diamond shapes. As soon as it dries, Chikki is ready to eat.
In Brazil, the method is similar, although it is not identical. The peanuts that are used in Pe-de-Moleque are baked before adding to the syrup. While jaggers of syrup can be used to shoot nuts in Pe-de-Moleque, it is also common for melasses or brown sugar in the syrup.
Chikki variants exist. Instead of unpacking the nuts into the leaf, one variation requires that they are dropped as biscuits or small balls to the surface and leave to dry on organic, uneven shapes. The type of nuts that are used can also be completely changed, or other variety can be combined to traditional peanuts. Some popular possibilities are cashews, walnuts and almonds. Other variations require dried fruit such as raisins and apricots, sliced into small pieces and added to peanuts.
Other exotic variations include adding certain spices or other flavors. Some versions of Chikki added saffron. Others include cardamom or coriander. Instead of nuts, one recipe requires the use of popcorn. Other variations on Chikki include the use of a combination of black and white sesame seeds instead of peanuts.