Almond Burfi using Coconut Palm Sugar or Jaggery

This Almond Burfi is unbelievably easy to make,

tastes great and is healthier than the one made using sugar. Earlier i

had posted a super quick almond burfi recipe which does not need milk, ghee or blanching. Today’s recipe is the same except the sweetener and

the syrup consistency are different. Coconut Palm sugar or jaggery syrup

has to be boiled till it reaches a ball consistency (not a string

consistency), then the powdered almonds are added and mixed well. The

mixture is not cooked further else it would become powdery and may not

set to a burfi.

I have not roasted the almonds, I just powdered refrigerated almonds in the mixer and used. You could replace almonds with walnuts, peanuts or sesame seeds. If coconut palm sugar is not available, you could use jaggery that doesn’t taste salty. Some jaggery taste salty, don’t know the reason, but such jaggery gives a salty taste to the burfi.

Note: Use a heavy bottom or a nonstick pan

The burfi you see in the pictures is made using coconut palm sugar and had tried with jaggery too during sankranthi , but didn't make its way to the blog. The one made with coconut palm sugar tastes good than the one made using jaggery

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups almonds
• 1 ¼ cups grated or powdered coconut palm sugar or jaggery (measure loosely, do not pack tightly, you can reduce 1 tbsp. of psugar)
• ¼ cup water (60 ml or 4 tbsps.)
• Generous pinch of green cardamom powder / elaichi or 4 cardamoms
• Few drops of oil or ghee for greasing the pan or u could use a parchment paper
• 1 tsp sesame seeds or chopped pistachios (whatever you like)

Method

1.Grease a tray, plate or a square pan. I had a brownie pan ready to bake some brownies. Since that did not happen I used it up for this burfi.

2.Powder the almonds and cardamoms in a mixer. If you have cardamom powder, you could add it to the almond powder or meal directly. Set this aside

3.Add water to the palm sugar or jaggery and melt it till it dissolves fully. Filter and remove impurities if using jaggery. Place a small bowl with water filled near the pan

4.Boil the jaggery syrup in a heavy bottom pan till it reaches a ball consistency. Take half a tsp of syrup and drop it in the bowl of water. You must be able to make a soft ball out of the syrup. If using palm sugar, you cannot easily make a ball. If the syrup has not reached the consistency it will begin to melt off immediately. So when you drop the syrup, it must not melt but must remain as it is for at least a min as you see in the picture. Repeat the test to make sure.

5.When you see that the sugar syrup does not melt but is stable for at least a min, then add the powder. Switch off the heat. Stir well for one minute, the almond meal has to blend well with the syrup. Break up the lumps of meal if you find any. you can see the mixture begins to leave the sides though the mix is not cooked.

6.Pour it immediately to a greased plate. Sprinkle the sesame seeds. Grease your palms and tuck them into the mix.

7.Leave it undisturbed for at least 5 to 6 hours. Cut to squares.

Store it in an airtight container and refrigerate. Iam not sure if this stays good for many days at room temperature since the nuts are not roasted.

If your burfi doesn't set well,it means the syrup consistency is not right. Put it back in the pan with in few hours and then cook for a while, till the mixture becomes a mass and begins to leave the sides.

let it cool. knead well, make a large square, cut to pieces when cool.