Preparing the Seeds
The journey to creating Til Gajak begins with the sesame seeds. The first step involves dry roasting 1 cup of white sesame seeds. This process is crucial,
as roasting brings out the nutty flavor and enhances the aroma of the seeds. It is important to roast them until they turn golden, a sign that they are perfectly toasted. Once they reach this stage, remove them from the heat and set them aside. This preliminary step lays the foundation for the delightful crunch and taste of the final product. Proper toasting ensures the sesame seeds contribute their best flavor to the overall experience.
Crafting the Syrup
The next step focuses on the jaggery syrup, the sweet backbone of Til Gajak. Begin by melting ¾ cup of grated jaggery in 1 tablespoon of ghee. Continuous stirring is essential to prevent burning and to ensure a smooth, uniform syrup. This careful stirring action facilitates the transformation of the jaggery into a molten consistency, ready to bind the other ingredients. Keep stirring the mixture until the jaggery melts completely, achieving a smooth syrup. At this point, the mixture is transformed and ready to incorporate the other key ingredients, setting the stage for the final assembly of the Gajak.
Adding Flavors and Texture
Once the jaggery syrup is perfectly smooth, it's time to infuse it with additional flavors and texture. At this point, introduce a pinch of cardamom powder. Cardamom, with its aromatic profile, enriches the taste of the gajak, adding warmth and complexity to the overall flavor. Immediately afterward, incorporate the toasted sesame seeds and 2 tablespoons of chopped peanuts into the syrup. Stir everything together thoroughly, ensuring that the sesame seeds and peanuts are evenly distributed throughout the mixture. This combination of ingredients will create a balanced flavor profile and the desired texture for the gajak.
Shaping the Gajak
With the mixture ready, transfer it to a greased tray. A greased tray helps in preventing the mixture from sticking and ensures easy removal of the final product. Spread the warm mixture evenly on the tray. Then, top it with a greased sheet. This allows for rolling out the gajak to the desired thickness. Using the sheet, gently roll out the mixture until it reaches your desired thickness. While the mixture is still warm, cut it into square shapes. The cutting process should be done while the mixture is warm, which is essential to maintain the desired shape and size of the gajak. After cutting, let the gajak cool completely to allow it to become crispy, achieving the perfect texture.
Serving and Enjoying
Once the gajak has cooled down and become crispy, it is ready to be served. The transformation from a warm, pliable mixture to a crunchy, delightful sweet is complete. The result is a perfect treat, ready to be enjoyed as a festive dessert. The final step is to serve and enjoy this delicious Til Gajak. The simplicity of the ingredients – 1 cup of white sesame seeds, ¾ cup grated jaggery, 1 tablespoon ghee, 2 tablespoons chopped peanuts, and a pinch of cardamom powder – combined with the easy-to-follow steps results in a delightful homemade sweet perfect for Makar Sankranti.
