Karjikai Recipe

Karjikai, also known as Karanji in Marathi and Gujiya in Hindi, is a traditional sweet pastry that is popular in several Indian states during festive seasons like Diwali and Holi. It is made by filling pastry dough with a mixture of sweetened coconut, gram dal, sugar, and cardamom. The filled pastry is then deep-fried to golden perfection.

Ingredients for Karjikai

• All-purpose flour - 2 cups
• Ghee - 2 tablespoons
• Water - as needed
• A pinch of salt
• Grated coconut - 1 cup
• Roasted gram dal - 1/2 cup
• Powdered sugar - 3/4 cup
• Cardamom powder - 1 teaspoon
• Sesame seeds - 2 tablespoons
• Cashews - 2 tablespoons, chopped
• Raisins - 2 tablespoons
• Oil for deep frying

Preparation of Karjikai Dough

1. Take a large bowl and add all-purpose flour.
2. Add a pinch of salt and mix well.
3. Heat 2 tablespoons of ghee until it melts and pour it over the flour.
4. Mix the ghee into the flour using your fingers until the mixture becomes crumbly.
5. Add water little by little and knead it into a smooth and pliable dough. Cover it with a damp cloth and set it aside while you prepare the filling.

Preparation of Karjikai Filling

1. In a pan, dry roast the grated coconut until it turns slightly golden.
2. Take it off the heat and let it cool.
3. In a blender, add the roasted coconut, gram dal, and sugar. Blend it to a coarse powder.
4. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and add cardamom powder, sesame seeds, chopped cashews, and raisins. Mix everything thoroughly.

Shaping and Frying the Karjikai

1. Take a small portion of the dough and roll it into a ball the size of a lemon.
2. Dust it with some flour and roll it out into a thin circular disc.
3. Place 1-2 tablespoons of the prepared filling in the center of the disc.
4. Fold the disc to form a semi-circle and seal the edges by pressing lightly. You can also use a fork to make designs on the edges to ensure it's sealed properly.
5. In a deep pan, heat oil on medium flame. To check if the oil is ready, drop a small piece of dough into the oil. If it rises to the surface with bubbles, the oil is ready for frying.
6. Carefully slide the prepared karjikai into the hot oil and fry until they are golden brown on all sides.
7. Drain excess oil by placing the fried karjikai on paper towels.

Serving Karjikai

Karjikai can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature. They make a wonderful accompaniment to a festive meal or celebration. Often, they are served with a cup of tea or coffee, which complements the sweetness of the filling. You can store the prepared karjikai in an airtight container for up to a week. Each piece offers a delightful burst of flavor, with the crisp pastry shell giving way to a sweet, aromatic filling. Perfect for sharing with family and friends during the festive season.