Sweets made from cashew nut are very popular and loved by all. The most popular are Kaju katli, Kaju barfi, and kaju rolls. But nowadays many sweet shops offer different shapes and designs made from cashew nuts such as kaju apple, kaju sandwich, kaju paan, kaju watermelon, kaju sitafal or kaju jalebi. The process and main ingredients for making these differently shaped sweets are the same as that of kaju katli. Only some colors, flavors are added to achieve the different shapes and taste. We are tempted to eat these delicacies when we see them on the shop shelves. Then why not we try them and make them at home! By making at home we will be careful that we use unadulterated ingredients and we maintain the hygiene while making the sweets. Besides these when we make these sweets at home they are economical.
I have shared with you my recipe for kaju apple earlier. Now I am sharing with you the step by step video and process of making the Kaju jalebi. It is very simple. Be careful of some little points mentioned and the outcome will be best.
- While making powder, the cashew nuts should be fresh and crunchy. If not, then you can either keep them in sunlight, roast them lightly or keep them in the fridge. I have kept them in the freezer for an hour before grinding them.
- While grinding in the grinder just pulse three to four times. Do not run the grinder continuously otherwise this will remove the oil from cashews and the powder will become sticky and oily. (and we don’t want that !)
- If you are making it for the first time try using a non-stick pan. It will ensure that the cashew mixture does not stick. That will make the process easier.
- If you find the cashew mixture getting stiff after addition of the sugar syrup, then add a tsp of water and mix it well. It will lower the temperature of the mixture and make it smooth.
- Even while shaping the apples if the mixture becomes dry then just add a drop of water and the mixture will become pliable again.
- It is always difficult to judge the proper sugar consistency when you make it the first time, but do not worry; you will get better with practice.
- Always cook the cashew nut mixture on a low flame.
Kaju Jalebi
Ingredients
- 1.5 cup cashew nut powdered
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup water
- 2 tsp ghee
- 1 tsp saffron strands
- 1 tsp luke warm water to soak saffron
- 1 tsp cardamom powder
Instructions
- Heat a non stick pan. Add sugar into it and then add water in it.
- Mix well and let the sugar dissolve. The mixture will start boiling.Add 1/2 tsp of saffron strands.
- Let the mixture boil till we get one string consistency of sugar syrup. Check the consistency by taking sugar syrup in between fingers. Stretch the fingers to see if the string is formed. If the string is formed then the one string sugar syrup is formed and proceed with next step or else let the sugar syrup boil for more minutes till you get the string consistency.
- Add the cashew nut powder and mix well. Keep on stirring till the mixture thickens.
- Add cardamon powder and mix well.
- Once the mixture is thickened and starts leaving the edges of pan add ghee and mix well.
- Cook the mixture till it becomes thick and leaves the pan and forms a dough. Now add the remaining saffron dissolved in luke warm water.
- Mix well and form smooth dough.
- Transfer the dough into a butter paper or greased plate. Spread the mixture so that it cools fast.
- Make small balls from the dough. (you have to do this step fast before the mixture cools completely and becomes dry. If it becomes dry then add 2-3 drops of water and again mix it and make balls).
- Shape the balls into thick threads and then roll them into spirals as shown.
- Make other jalebis quickly.
- Jalebis are ready to serve. Enjoy them.
Notes
- The cashew nuts should be fresh and crunchy. If not, then you can either keep them in sunlight, roast them lightly or keep them in fridge. I have kept them in the freezer for an hour before grinding them.
- While grinding in the grinder just pulse three to four times. Do not run the grinder continuously otherwise this will remove the oil from cashews and the powder will become sticky and oily. (and we don't want that !)
- If you are making it for the first time try using a non stick pan. It will ensure that the cashew mixture does not stick. That will make the process easier.
- If you find the cashew mixture getting stiff after addition of the sugar syrup, then add a tsp of water and mix it well. It will lower the temperature of the mixture and make it smooth.
- Even while shaping the apples if the mixture becomes dry then just add a drop of water and the mixture will become pliable again.
- It is always difficult to judge the proper sugar consistency when you make it the first time, but do not worry; you will get better with practise.
- Always cook the cashew nut mixture on a low flame.
Delicious. Nice video!