Hema's Masala Gud, Original & Makeovers (Digestive Indian Nut & Seed Bar With Spices)

Jaggery-sweetened treats are enjoyed all over India but Masala Gud or Gur is particularly enjoyed during the cold winter months in the North. It is considered warming and helpful for digestion with not only the warming jaggery but also all the spices. Instead of the after-meal mint, offer these for a little treat with some health benefits.

Masala Gud is very rich with the medicinal seeds and spices; chew well to enjoy and get the benefits of all the seeds!

Masala Gud is quite delicious. Hema told me that she made it one evening and left it to cool and set for the next day. She woke up around midnight by some strange noises to find her husband munching away! He couldn't resist the aroma of the cooling masala gud and didn't want to wait :D.

Hema's Original Recipe:

Hema's Original Masala Gud

Ingredients:
1 kg Jaggery (gud) crushed

2 Tbsp Fennel seeds

1 Tbsp Ajwain seeds

1 Tbsp Cumin seeds

1 Tbsp ground dry Ginger

1 tsp ground Cardamom Seeds

3 Tbsp Ghee

1 1/2 cups mixed Nuts ( peanuts, cashews, almonds etc) lightly roasted
1 Tbsp roasted Sesame seeds

Method:

Heat ghee in a thick bottom vessel n add gud. Keep stirring till it becomes liquid.

You can dryroast the fennel, ajwain, and cumin lightly over low heat for a few seconds, crush them coarsely or keep them raw and whole. 

Add the seeds along with the ground spices to the melted jaggery. Mix well, add the nuts and keep heating and stirring for 2 minutes.

Pour the masala gud into a greased plate. Cut while warm, let cool completely, and keep in an airtight container when cool.

Enjoy after meals.

Makeover I - No Ghee, Less Fat  

Makeover I Masala Gud

I added all the nuts plus extra sesame to 500 g of gud and 1 T coconut oil. Included some pepitas (pumpkin seeds) and sunflower seeds in the nut mix - delicious. I think more ginger and cardamom would be nice plus even more nuts as it comes out very sweet!

Ingredients:
1/2 kg Jaggery (gud) crushed
2 Tbsp Fennel seeds

1 Tbsp Ajwain seeds

1 Tbsp Cumin seeds

2 Tbsp ground dry Ginger

2 tsp ground Cardamom Seeds

1 Tbsp Coconut Oil

2 cups mixed Nuts ( peanuts, cashews, almonds etc) lightly roasted
1/2 cup roasted Sesame seeds (I used both black and white)

Method:

Follow the procedure in the original Masala Gud.

Masala Date Bites - Makeover II - All Natural, No Added Sugars/Fats 

I am calling this Masala Date Bites! This no-cook one uses dates instead of the Jaggery. I used cashews, almonds, pistachios, sunflower seeds, and pepitas (pumpkin seeds); other nuts or seeds maybe added also.

Masala Date Bites

Ingredients:

1 cup dates, pitted

1 tbsp almond butter (optional)

1 Tbsp ground dry Ginger

1 tsp ground Cardamom Seeds
2 Tbsp roasted Flax seeds, ground

1 Tbsp Fennel seeds

1-2 Tsp Ajwain seeds

2 Tsp Cumin seeds

1 1/2 Cups Mixed Nuts and Seeds

1/4 cup roasted Sesame seeds

Method:

Dry toast all the nuts and whole seeds lightly; the cumin, fennel and ajwain maybe left raw or roasted.

If the dates are dry, soak with a couple of tablespoons of warm water. If the dates are moist and soft, no need for soaking. Process the dates in a food processor until finely chopped.

Add the almond butter if using and flax seeds along with the spices and process until combined. The mixture maybe sticky, which is perfect as we want all the nuts and seeds to stick together!

Add the nuts and seeds to the food processor bowl and pulse until combined. Or, scoop the date mixture into a bowl, add the nuts and seeds and knead/mix well. When kneading and forming into balls, moistening your hands with a little water occasionally keeps the date mixture from sticking to hands.

Roll into balls using hands or press into a pan lined with parchment, chill until firm, and cut into little squares, about 24. Store in the refrigerator. Serve 1 or 2 masala date bites per person after meals. Take little bites and take time to chew well.

Enjoy!!