Badam pak
Almond and mawa sweet with puffed edible gum in saffron syrup
Badam pak is a rich almond sweet: coarsely ground almonds and mawa (khoya) roasted in ghee, mixed with puffed edible gum and cardamom, then bound in a saffron sugar syrup and pressed into a tray. It's nutty, chewy and fragrant. Makes about 35 squares; the book also gives a soft 'hot badam pak' to serve warm.
- Total time
- 55 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 17
Ingredients
For the sugar syrup
For hot badam pak (variation)
Method
0/10 doneStep 1: Heat ghee in a small pan and fry 9 oz gum arabica (edible gum, gund) a little at a time until it puffs up and turns golden brown. Drain and crush lightly.
8 minStep 2: Heat 2 tbsp of the 2 tbsp ghee in a large pan and roast 1 ⅛ lb almonds for 5 minutes, stirring.
5 minStep 3: In another pan, heat the remaining 2 tbsp ghee and roast 14 oz mawa (khoya) on a low heat until light brown.
6 minStep 4: Add the gum and almonds to the mawa and mix well, then take off the heat.
Step 5: Mix in 1 tbsp ground cardamom and tip the mixture into a basin.
Step 6: In the same large pan, make a one-thread syrup with 9 oz sugar and 2 cups water: stir until the sugar dissolves, then boil until a drop pressed between finger and thumb forms one thread (see the sugar syrup recipe). Add ½ tsp saffron.
15 minStep 7: Add the almond mixture to the syrup and mix well. If the mixture is dry, add 2 tbsp milk.
Step 8: Spread in a greased rectangular tray and press it down well with a greased steel bowl.
Step 9: When cool, cut into squares. Keep in an airtight box.
60 minStep 10: Hot badam pak: add 5 ½ oz milk powder with the gum and almonds, and don't spread the mixture in a tray. Keep it in a covered dish and warm it through before serving.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 480 kcal
- Protein
- 13 g
- Carbs
- 34 g
- Fat
- 33 g
- Fibre
- 5 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does badam pak take?
- About 55 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 35 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 17 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of ghee?
- Butter, same amount (keep the heat a little lower, butter burns sooner).
- What can I use instead of ghee?
- Butter, same amount (keep the heat a little lower, butter burns sooner).
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