Day #2 – 10-Day Unique Food Snack Challenge – Flax Seed Burfi

India has so much richness in its culture that is inviting and wildly embraced throughout the world. Namaste, Bollywood, the sari … the list goes on and on … but for me nothing quite compares to the food that India brings to the table. The spices from turmeric to cumin, which have so many health benefits (people actually take supplements) that makes these dishes crave worthy on a very regular basis. Whenever someone is cooking an indian dish anywhere, the aroma protrudes for many miles away. It’s that distinction that there is no mistaking it with any other cuisine. I can only imagine what my neighbors used to think when I was cooking a curry on a Saturday afternoon in my tiny studio apartment in Chelsea (NYC).

Burfi is not so obscure as it’s widely known in Indian/Pakistani/Middle Eastern cuisine as more of a dessert. Today we are going to feature a little different slant on the barfi which is a Flax Seed Burfi snack. This snack is sure to add a little healthy to your existing weekly routine (yes there’s sugar so you might want to find an alternative to your liking to making it really healthy!).  No more store bought snack bars that cost $1.99 each and are far less healthy for you than these. You can easily whip this up at home on Sunday night in less than 30 minutes, in preparation for the week [or month if you are eating them solo]. They keep well in a tight tupperware container.

Flax Seed Burfi (Healthy Nut Bar) Recipe by Manjula

Ingredients:

1/2 cup golden flax seed powder or meal
1/2 cup coarsely ground walnut
1/2 cup coarsely ground almonds
1/2 cup coarsely ground cashews
1 tsp crushed cardamom
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup water

Directions:

Grease an 8-inch plate and set aside.
Dry roast flax seed, over medium heat for about 1 minute. Add walnut, almond and cashew powder. Dry roast for another 2 minutes stirring continuously. Do not over roast the nuts as they will become oily.
Turn off the heat. Add cardamom mix it well and take out in a bowl. Set aside.
In same sauce pan boil the sugar and water together over medium heat. After syrup come to boil lower the heat to medium and let it boil for 1-2 minutes. To check the syrup put a drop over dry surface and check with finger. Syrup should be just sticky. On candy thermometer the temperature should be at 205 degrees.
Turn off the heat. Add the nuts mixture to the syrup. Mix it well and quickly spread over the greased plate with a spatula shaping it 1/4 inch thick.
Cool for a few minutes and cut into 1-1/2 inch squares.

Photo taken from Manjula’s Kitchen

Origin: India

Translation: आनंद लें (enjoy!)

Great for: Vegan, gluten free, vegetarian, kids & adults.

Available: Make at home

Local to South Florida? You can find barfi sweets at: Nirala Sweet House in Sunrise, FL