Gajak Recipe
Gajak is a traditional sweet that is made from sesame seeds and jaggery. It is a popular sweet that is often served during the festival of Lohri, which is celebrated in the northern parts of India. Gajak is a crunchy and sweet treat that is made by roasting sesame seeds and mixing them with jaggery or sugar. The mixture is then shaped into small bars or balls and can be enjoyed as a snack or a sweet treat. Gajak is known for its nutty flavor and is considered as a healthy sweet as sesame seeds are rich in minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants.
Ingredients
- 1 cup sesame seeds
- 1 cup jaggery / gur crushed
- 1 tablespoon ghee / clarified butter
- 1 teaspoon cardamom powder
Instructions
- Heat a pan over medium heat and roast the sesame seeds until they turn golden brown. Remove from heat and let them cool.
- In the same pan, add the jaggery and ghee. Cook on low heat until the jaggery melts and starts to thicken.
- Add the roasted sesame seeds and cardamom powder to the jaggery mixture and mix well.
- Pour the mixture into a greased plate and press it down to make a flat surface.
- Let it cool for a few minutes and then cut into desired shapes.
- The Gajak is ready to be served.
Equipment Used for This Recipe
Notes & Tips
Notes & Comments
- Gajak can be stored in an airtight container for up to a month.
- You can add more ghee to the mixture if it's too dry.
- The ratio of sesame seeds to jaggery can be adjusted to personal preference.
- You can add additional ingredients such as chopped nuts or dried fruits to give a different flavor to your Gajak.
- Keep in mind that the texture and flavor of your Gajak will vary depending on the ingredients and proportions you use. Feel free to experiment with different variations to find the perfect recipe for your taste buds.
- Peanut Gajak: You can use roasted peanuts instead of sesame seeds to make a peanut Gajak. Simply roast the peanuts until golden brown and proceed with the recipe as mentioned above.
- Chocolate Gajak: To make chocolate Gajak, add 1/4 cup of cocoa powder to the jaggery mixture along with the sesame seeds and cardamom powder. Mix well and proceed with the recipe as mentioned above.
- Nutella Gajak: Mix 1/4 cup of Nutella with jaggery and sesame seeds before pouring it into the greased plate.
- To make Gajak more crunchy add more sesame seeds.
- To make Gajak more chewy add more jaggery.
- To make Gajak more sweet add more ghee.
- To make Gajak more fragrant add more cardamom powder.
Nutrition Information (Note: Approximate)
Nutrition Facts
Gajak Recipe
Serving Size
1 pcs
Amount per Serving
Calories
307
% Daily Value*
Fat
15
g
23
%
Saturated Fat
3
g
19
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
6
g
Monounsaturated Fat
5
g
Cholesterol
6
mg
2
%
Sodium
3
mg
0
%
Potassium
121
mg
3
%
Carbohydrates
40
g
13
%
Fiber
3
g
13
%
Sugar
34
g
38
%
Protein
4
g
8
%
Vitamin A
2
IU
0
%
Vitamin B1
0.2
mg
13
%
Vitamin B2
0.1
mg
6
%
Vitamin B3
1
mg
5
%
Vitamin B5
0.01
mg
0
%
Vitamin B6
0.2
mg
10
%
Vitamin C
0.1
mg
0
%
Vitamin E
0.1
mg
1
%
Calcium
256
mg
26
%
Iron
4
mg
22
%
Magnesium
89
mg
22
%
Zinc
2
mg
13
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.