Sesame Chikki is a crispy, tasty sweet bites made during Makar Sankranti.

Makar Sankranti is round the corner. It is one of the important festivals celebrated in our country. It follows the Solar cycle and is dedicated to the Sun God. All edibles related to sesame or til are prominent during this season. Til chikki, til laddoo, til pancakes and sankranti ellu are the major sweets along with pongal prepared in all households.

It is amazing  how the beliefs told in our shastras are similar to the scientific evidences. Sesame keeps the body warm and also gives energy, thus it is consumed during this festival. This is practised since so many years, isn’t it?

Makar Sankranti falls on January 14, the festival is celebrated for three days. It is a harvest festival. Colourful rangolis are put in front of the house and ladies give bhogi( a kind of charity) of all new produce as sugarcane and vegetables. Here in South India, they prepare Bajra roti with a wide spread of delicacies along with pongal. The food is simply delicious. On the final day, it is Makar sankranti, Ellu and sweet pongal are the usual preparations.

sesame chikki

What goes into it?

Sesame seed is the main ingredient here. I have used the white sesame seed. Black sesame or a combination of both can also be used. You may add a few other nuts into it.

Let’s get making Til Chikki / Sesame Chikki

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup sesame
• 1/2 cup jaggery (grated)
• 1 1/2 teaspoon ghee
• a pinch of cardamom (optional)

Method:

1. Take a pan and dry roast the sesame on a slow flame for five minutes. It should turn light brown in colour and give a nice aroma. Put it aside.
2. Grease the back of a plate and keep it aside. You can also do on the platform.
3. In the same pan, add ghee. When it melts, add jaggery, mix it and keep stirring it on medium heat for three minutes.
4. Add the roasted sesame to it, mix it well and pour it over the greased plate.
5. Spread it evenly to 200mm wide.
6. Cut it into small squares and allow to cool.
7. Later, remove it and store in a jar.

My other recipes related to Makar sankranti

• Sankranti Ellu
• Sweet Pongal
• Spicy Pongal
• Sajje Rotti
• Brinjal Stir Fry | Badanekayi Palya

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Til Chikki/ Sesame Chikki

Til Chikki or sesame chikki is crunchy and healthy snack to binge on. It is usually prepared during Makar sankranti. 

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 20 pieces

Author Jayashree

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup sesame
• 1/2 cup jaggery
• 1 1/2 teaspoon ghee
• cardamom powder a pinch

Instructions

• Dry roast the sesame seeds on a low flame for five minutes. It should be light brown in colour and give a good aroma. Put it to cool.
• Grease the back of a plate and keep it ready. 
• In the same pan, add ghee. When the ghee melts, add jaggery, mix it and allow it to melt. Keep stirring for three minutes.
• Put the roasted sesame seeds to it, mix it well and pour it over the the greased plate. Spread it with the the back of the ladle.
• Cut into small squares and allow to cool.
• Later, store it in an air tight container.

Notes

• Jaggery should be finely chopped.
• Cardamon powder is optional.

Makar sankranti recipes and related posts from co-bloggers:

• Murmura Chikki
• Tilgul in food processor
• Coconut Til Gajak
• Pongal Celebrations

Wishing all my readers a very Happy Makar Sankranti!