How to Prepare Kadapak

Kadapak, also known as Kadalai Mittai, is a traditional South Indian sweet made from peanuts and jaggery. It is a delicious and nutritious snack that is often enjoyed during festivals or as a quick energy booster. Here’s a recipe to guide you in preparing Kadapak. It will serve about 4 people.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup peanuts, raw and shelled
• 1 cup jaggery, grated or chopped
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon ghee (clarified butter)
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
• A pinch of salt

Preparation:

1. Heat a dry skillet or pan over medium heat and roast the peanuts, stirring occasionally, until they turn golden brown and become fragrant. This will take around 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let them cool.
2. Once the peanuts are cool enough to handle, rub them between your hands or use a clean kitchen towel to remove the skin.
3. In a blender or food processor, pulse the peanuts a few times until they are coarsely ground. Set aside.
4. In a thick-bottomed pan or a large saucepan, add the grated jaggery and water. Heat the pan over medium heat and stir until the jaggery melts and forms a syrup.
5. Reduce the heat to low and continue cooking the jaggery syrup for a few more minutes until it thickens slightly.
6. To check the consistency of the syrup, take a small amount of the syrup and drop it into a bowl of water. If it forms a soft ball and can be rolled between your fingers, it has reached the right consistency.
7. Add the ground peanuts, ghee, cardamom powder, and a pinch of salt to the jaggery syrup. Mix well to combine all the ingredients thoroughly.
8. Cook the mixture on low heat, stirring continuously, for about 5-7 minutes until it thickens further and starts to leave the sides of the pan.
9. Once the mixture is well cooked and starts to come together, turn off the heat.
10. Grease a flat tray or plate with ghee and transfer the kadapak mixture onto it.
11. Use the back of a spoon or greased hands to flatten and spread the mixture evenly on the tray.
12. While the mixture is still warm, cut it into desired shapes using a knife or a cookie cutter.
13. Let the kadapak cool completely and firm up before removing the individual pieces from the tray.
14. Store the Kadapak in an airtight container at room temperature.

Enjoy the delicious and nutty Kadapak as a sweet treat or snack!