NanKhatai - The Indian Cookie - World Culinary ABC

Before we were taken over by brownies and choco cookies, Indians had only Nankhatai to call their own.

This cookie originated from Surat, a port city in the state of Gujarat. The Dutch explorers left behind their food culture, which was given an Indian touch and NanKhatai was born.

In North India, Nankhatai is a favourite tea-time snack.

 There are various versions of this cookie. Mine is actually from SolinaMami (Aunt). 

I have spent quiet a few months at her place. I have had the heartiest laughs,  my many firsts and heard the weirdest stories when I was there.

Mami's children ( Sachin and Rishitha ) are the sweetest kids around. I had spent few months with them a good 13 years ago. Though the vacations at Mahe saw us all spending time together, I had never experienced the growing up phase of a 10 and 7 year old on a day to day basis. In the five months that I stayed there, I learned about few years worth lessons.

The kids smothered me with love. I do not have to explain what a beautiful feeling being loved is. In my case, two adorable kids. It was my first time. I was completely floored.

The kids needed me for everything. When I say everything, I mean everything. They wanted me during homework time, food time, sleep time and every time in between.

One could always see them having discussions - fighting for me, reservations were made for sleep time, even plans on how to divide me equally ( I mean, literally divide ) so that all problems are solved.

I still remember that phase so vividly, that I cannot believe it happened years ago. They are all grown now. When I talk about those days, they look at each other and say ' really? We do not remember '. Well, they may not but I can talk about that phase for the rest of my life.

And now my kids are behind Rishitha. Just mentioning her name lights up their face. Every time we meet, they are seen running behind her throughout. 

I really embarrass Sachin when I talk about those days. He says he cannot believe he said those things. It is for him that I did not mention specific instances in this post. I shall stop now and not embarrass him further. He is a grown man now and men really cannot handle all this mush.

A big thank you for those wonderful kids for giving me such a wonderful time. Through this post, I got a chance to re-live those days when their world revolved around me.

Another thank you for Solenamami who has doubled up as my mom on numerous occasions. After all these years, she still does.

Now, the recipe. Here is how she makes it.

Ingredients :

Maida / All purpose flour - 3 cups
Besan / Gram flour - 1 cup
Sugar - 2 cups
Ghee - 2 cups
Baking Powder - a pinch.

Method : 

1. Sieve Maida, Besan and Baking powder together and keep aside.

2. Powder sugar in a mixer. In a bowl, mix ghee and sugar till the mixture turns pale in color. The texture should be fluffy and light.

3. Gradually, add the sieved flour to this mixture and mix well to make dough.

4. Make small balls of the dough and lightly flatten the balls by pressing it between your palms.

5. Make a small cut at the center with a knife or prick it with a fork.

6. Bake in the oven at 180 deg Celcius for 13 - 15 minutes approx. or till the cookies rise and there is a slight change in color.

Sending this recipe to Cinzia as she is the ambassador for India under the World Culinary ABC.
 Find all that has happened under the abcmondiale  here.