Karjikai

Karjikai is a toothsome dessert of the South Indian cuisine, which is also known as Gujiya in North India. This dessert recipe has a crispy texture yet it melts in your mouth in just a bite. As compared to the Gujiya, this dessert recipe is prepared using rice flour along with all purpose flour and semolina, and that's the reason the filling is a crispy.

The ingredients used in preparation of this sweet dish are easily available. This sweet dish is very popular in North India during special occasions and festivals like Holi and Raksha Bandhan. People usually gift their loved ones this sweet delicacy along with other snacks like mathri, namakpare and what not! You will be surprised to know that making this toothsome dessert does not takes much time and can be prepared in just an hour. It is important that you carefully follow the steps written below to get the perfect Karjikai. If you are someone who has a sweet tooth then, you can definitely give it a try! We are sure that this sweet dish will surely treat your taste buds. So, what are you waiting for? Just go, grab the ingredients and make this delectable dessert recipe for yourself and your loved ones soon!Recipe: V Bharathan, Executive Chef, The Waverly Hotel and Residencies

INGREDIENTS

220 gm all purpose flour

80 gm semolina

45 gm rice flour

30 gm ghee

80 gm coconut

160 gm jaggery

7 gm green cardamom

0 water as required

110 gm chana dal

0 refined oil as required

How to make Karjikai

Step 1

To prepare this delicious dessert recipe, we will start with preparing the dough. First, take a small sized pan and place it on medium flame. Then, pour and heat ghee in it. Once done, turn the flame off and keep aside.

Step 2

Now, take a large sized bowl and add all purpose flour, semolina and rice flour in it. Also, pour the melted ghee in the mixture. Try to combine them all together with your hands. The mixture should resemble like bread crumbs. Now, add water as required. Make sure that the dough is not too soft. Once done, cover the kneaded dough with a damp cloth and keep aside.

Step 3

Next, to prepare the filling, transfer the roasted chana dal in a mixer. Also, add coconut and grated jaggery in the mixing jar. Grind them with the help of a mixer grinder until you get a coarse powder.

Step 4

Now, make a small round ball from the prepared dough (step 2). Roll and flatten it into a small circle of 2 mm thickness. Then, place a spoon of filling(step 3) at one side of the circle. Brush the edges of the circle with some water. Then, fold the pastry to form a semicircle. Make sure that the pastry is locked properly. Now, transfer the pastry in a plate and cover it with a damp cloth. Similarly, do the same with remaining dough and filling.

Step 5

Next, take a deep-bottomed frying pan and place it on medium flame. Then, pour good amount of oil in it and let it heat. Once the oil has heated, fry each karjikai pastry in it until its colour becomes golden brown from both the sides. Once you are done with frying, your karjikai is ready, serve hot. You may store the remaining pieces in an air tight container for future use.