Badam Cake - South Indian Recipe

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Badam Cake

Badam Cake is typically made on festive ocassions in Tamil Nadu. This delicious sweet can be made and stored in airtight boxes. Badam Halwa is another variant of the same recipe. Badam or Almonds are quite popular in India in the form of Badam Milk. It is made out of crushed Almonds, spiced with cardamom and in some cases roasted strands of coconuts in the medium of milk. Almonds are highly nutritious as you will see below. We provide below

1 cup badam (almonds)
2 cups sugar
½ cup ghee
1 tbsp milk
1 tsp saffron

Soak the almonds in hot water and grind to a coarse paste after peeling them. Use milk to grind the almonds. Dissolve saffron in a tsp of milk. Take a thick bottomed pan and mix the almond paste, sugar and a tsp of ghee. Cook on a slow flame and keep adding the ghee as you stir the mix. Add the dissolved saffron as flavoring. When the mix reaches the desired consistency, take it off the flame and pour on a greased plate. Cut into squares after it is cool.

Badam Cake in Microwave

Ground almond paste 2 cups
Sugar 4 cups
Ghee 1 tbsp

Mix all the ingredients in a large microwave safe bowl. Microwave it on high for about 6 minutes. Stir after every 2 minutes. Microwave it for another 6 minutes, continuing to stir after every 2 minutes. Pour the mixture into a greased plate. Cut into squares when cool. This version saves you plenty of time when compared to the regular version in the kadhai. You can add saffron for flavor and color.

Almonds and nutrition

Traditionally Indians have used many nutritious nuts and spices regularly in their food. With the arrival of Mughals, middle eastern culinary practices became merged with the Indian Cuisine. Along with increased consumption of meat, nuts like Badam (the word is probably derived from Persian) were included in the diet.
A handful of almonds a day contains recommended levels of protein, minerals and vitamins. Rich in dietary fiber, almonds come packed with Vitamin E, folates and B-complex vitamins. Badams are gluten-free and rich in minerals like manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, zinc and selenium. About 35 gm of almonds contains 7 grams carbohydrates, 7.6 grams protein, 4.1 grams dietary fiber, 18 grams of fat, 1.7 grams sugar, zero cholesterol and amounts to 206 calories. Oleic acid and phytochemicals contained in almonds helps keep coronary disease at bay. Almonds work as powerful antioxidants. 1/4 cup of almonds packs in 255 mg of potassium that provides protection against high blood pressure.