Peanut and Chocolate Barfi

7:31 AM

The festival of sibling bonding or Raksha Bandhan is just a few days away. Raksha Bandhan literally means 'to tie a knot of protection'. This ancient festival revolves around the idea of strengthening the bind between brothers and sisters through a symbolic thread that the sisters tie around their brother's wrist. They for their brother's well being and the brothers promise to look after and protect her. The Rakhi in question could be a simple red and yellow died thread or a fancy one.

With the current market looking for opportunities, there is no dearth of varieties in that section. Gone are those days when we painstakingly made rakhis from Chiffon thread, shaped, designed and decorated it with beads and lace.

For many days prior to the festival it was a common site to see girls of all sizes having a bunch of tied thread in one hand and an old tooth brush in the other. On roads, in bus, between classes they would be seen busy in brushing the bunch of thread to satiny smoothness. Once that is done the same thread would be twisted to make the thread underneath the Rakhi. Sometimes the friends will help to hold the other end, sometimes they will do it on their own with the other end neatly tucked between the toe fingers. Those colourful rakhis were a joy to watch. We spent many moments admiring our creations before we finally tied them to our brothers.

But I always made phooler rakhi or rakhis made with flowers as a student, with periwinkle (tagor) buds neatly stitched on a piece of Jackfruit leaves they looked exquisite. Here is a simple one that I made for Lord Krishna quite sometime back.

Handmade rakhis or not I believe in this festival. No. not for the reason that my brothers take vows to protect me but solely for getting one more opportunity to get together. In these busy days it's a good opportunity for the siblings to meet and spend some time together.

If you are busy and don't have time, or even if you are the only child and has no one to celebrate this festival with, make these double peanut double chocolate barfi. These are very quick and quite delicious. I used to make it quite often earlier when the kid used to love sweet dishes but for some weird reason his taste buds are averting sweets these days. So thought of sharing it today before it all becomes history in my kitchen.

Peanut and chocolate barfi

(makes 12-16 pieces)

Ingredients:

Peanuts: 1 cup

Sugar: 2 tbsp

Milk powder: 4 tbsp (used Amulya)

Peanut butter: 3 heaped tbsp

Water: 1/4 cup

Dark chocolate: 1/3 cup

White chocolate: 1 tbsp

Salt: 1/4 tsp

Green cardamom: 2 pods

Method:

Dry roast the peanuts on medium till they are crunchy. Make sure you do not burn them.It will take almost 8-10 minutes.

Cool and then remove the skin by rubbing them to any surface.

Grind in batches to a coarse powder.

Heat the water and sugar in a heavy bottom saucepan. Also grease a 8X8 tray for setting the barfi. I made a mistake and greased the 6" tin instead and got very thick barfis this time.

Once the sugar is dissolved add the peanut powder and mix. Cook for a minute and then add the milk powder. Cook on low till it looks almost dry. Mix the salt which is very very important for this barfi which gives it a proper taste.

Now add the cardamom powder and peanut butter. Mix vigorously till it all comes together.taste, if needed add pinch of more salt. Once it start to leave the sides of the pan you know its ready. Spread in the greased pan and Smoothen the top.

When it's cooling melt the dark chocolate and spread on top. Let it set in the fridge for 30 minutes. Melt the white chocolate and drizzle on top.

Dip a knife in hot water and cut in pieces.