Diwali Ki Mithai: Chef Narasinh Kamath Shares A Decadent Treat
Image Credit: Double Tree by Hilton, Goa/Badam Pista Fudge Barfi

Just a few days until the ‘festival of lights’ brightens up our life and colourful foods adorn our dining tables. Festivals like Diwali are incomplete without the traditional mithais and crispy snacks. During celebratory occasions, kuch meetha ho jaye finds a place in every home and households are filled with the aroma of sweet nibbles.

Since barfis and laddoos are some of the staple sweets during festivals in many cultures, it is natural that we have a wide variety of them available during Diwali too. From almonds to cashews and pistas, different flavours are packed in barfis. Chef Narasinh Kamath- Executive Chef at DoubleTree by Hilton- Goa, Panaji, shares a delicious Badam Pista Fudge Barfi for Diwali that you can try at home.

Loaded with the goodness of almonds and pistachios, these barfis also include butter and sugar, and are a decadent treat for the taste buds. Here’s a quick recipe for you to try.  

Ingredients: 

•    2 tbsp butter 

•    1 cup almonds badam 

•    1 cup pistachios pista 

•    1/2 cup milk powder 

•    1/2 tsp cardamom powder 

•    1 cup sugar 

•    1 cup water 

•    7 saffron threads 

•    A pinch of salt 

Method: 

•    Using a food processor, coarsely powder almonds and pista. 

•    Heat butter in a non-stick pan on medium-low flame. 

•    Add the coarsely powdered nuts and sauté them for 2 to 3 minutes. Make sure not to burn the nuts.  

•    Add the milk powder and continue sautéing it for another 2 minutes. If your nuts are unsalted, add a pinch of salt at this stage and set aside. 

•    In another pan, on medium heat, add sugar, saffron threads, and water. 

•    Once it dissolves completely, continue to simmer till you get one string consistency. 

•    For one string consistency, dip a wooden spoon in the syrup and lift out.  

•    Allow a few seconds to cool.  

•    Now, touch the syrup with your forefinger and then touch your forefinger and thumb together and pull apart gently.  

•    You should see one string. Cook until you get one string consistency. 

•    Add the sugar syrup and cardamom powder to the roasted ingredients and continue stirring it for 5 to 6 minutes on medium flame until it leaves the side of the pan.  

•    Transfer this mixture onto a greased plate or parchment paper. Spread it to desired thickness. 

•    Sprinkle additional nuts desired and press slightly using the back of the ladle.  

•    Allow it to cool down completely. Cut them into desired shapes and serve.