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Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Nan Khatais (Indian Butter Biscuits)

The treats are packed up and we are ready to hit the road tomorrow. We are going to California on a road trip and meet a couple of our friends and cousin on our way. I am very excited to see'em and happy to deliver these home made biscuits in person. Well, to talk about the biscuits, these are light, buttery sweetnesses that literally dissolves in your mouth. The nuts are so rich and crunchy, that makes irresistible and you can't stop just munching one. And these are egg-less cookies that are very popular and called biscuits in India. They are served as a evening snack along with coffee or tea. The buttery aroma while baking, smelt heavenly and perfumed the whole kitchen.  Also, i have made two versions of butter biscuits here, other than flour combination, the methods are pretty similar. Here it goes,
This is a pistachio butter biscuit, topped with chopped pistachios and made from a combination of three flours. This one was Senthil's pick among the two.
Ingredients:

1/3 cup APF (Maida)
1/3 cup fine Semolina (Rava)
1/2 cup Gram Flour (Besan)
1/2 cup unsalted Butter (at room temperature)
2/3 cup Sugar
3 green Cardamom Seeds (powdered)
1 pinch Baking Soda
1-2tbsp Pistachios (coarsely chopped)
 How to:
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
  • Mix together the maida, semolina, gram flour, cardamom and baking soda.
  • In another bowl, blend the butter and sugar together.
  • Now, blend the flour mixture in batches to the butter-sugar mixture.
  • Divide the dough into small lime size balls, smoothen'em with your palms, make a grid or star with a knife and gently press the chopped pistachios.
  • Do the rest of the dough in a similar manner and arrange'em on the baking sheet.
  • Bake for 13 mins or until they turn golden brown on top.
  • Remove the baking sheet and let rest for 3 mins, before you transfer'em to cooling rack. (The half bitten biscuit, that was me hehe, couldn't resist)
  • Serve as a snack or dessert.

Almond Pressed Butter Biscuit:

This is an Almond Butter Biscuit, made from maida (APF) and warm butter with an Almond pressed on each of its center. This one is the winner in my taste testing.
Ingredients:

1 cup APF (Maida)
1/2 cup Powdered Sugar
1/2 cup unsalted Butter (melted)
1/4tsp Baking Soda
3 Green Cardamom Seeds (crushed/powdered)
1 pinch Salt
8-10 Almonds (for garnishing)
How to:
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
  • Mix together the dry ingredients: APF, sugar, baking soda, cardamom and salt.
  • Pour the butter over the flour mixture and knead, resulting a soft dough.
  • Divide the dough into 12 equal parts, smoothen in between your palms and press the center with your thumb and place an almond.
  • Follow the same procedure for the remaining dough and arrange it on the baking sheet.
  • Bake for 20 mins and cool in a cooling rack.
  • Serve the biscuit as a snack or dessert.

40 comments:

  1. Perfectly baked nan khatais...lovely colour.

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  2. This looks so perfect, wish could grab some!

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  3. all the variations look yummy and surely a treat!
    Have a safe trip!
    Smitha

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  4. Shoba, Soumya & Smitha, thanks for your quick response.

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  5. wat an easy recipe! can't wait 2 do it... I'm doing it right away :) Will let u know how it turned out...

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  6. Priya, i am sure you are gonna love it.

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  7. Wow, that luks incredible...lovely butter cookies:) Your's is so perfect.

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  8. This looks so perfect, wish could grab some!

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  9. Your butter cookies look very mouthwatering - like a jar of it stocked up to munch with my afternoon tea :)

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  10. It feels so good to munch homemade cookies...Since you have made enough of these, can you pass me few in a container ?;-)

    Deepa
    Hamaree Rasoi

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  11. wow...looks just awesome !!!!surely got to try these....Do check out my recipes at http://onlyfishrecipes.blogspot.com/ and let me know your valuable comments !

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  12. Picture perfect nankhatais dear..beautifully baked!!
    Have fun on your trip, be safe!

    US Masala

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  13. Those pistachio naan khatai would have been my pick too. They look so perfectly made.

    the almonds one will be the more conventional ones ...Lovely, both of them.

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  14. Perfect biscuits.. Love them !!! they r baked to perfection..

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  15. My all time favourite cookies, looks very delish

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  16. Both biscuits looks sooo adorable,yummy and irresistible..

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  17. U r really talented Nidhya...great recipe with beautiful clicks..
    Tasty appetite

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  18. The pistachio nan khatais look soo awesone..
    Looks soo perfect, just like the once we used to get in bakery..!!

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  19. The only cookies i eat and you have made it soo perfect, addition of pistachios is a great idea :)

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  20. This looks so delicious, perfect with a cup of tea.

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  21. Looks so yumm n perfect..luv ur version

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  22. perfect baking..looks super delicious.

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  23. Hi Nidhya,

    First time here and must say u've a wonderful collection of recipes.. the cookies look fab!!
    following u..

    http://rasoithekitchen.blogspot.com/

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  24. nankhatai looks delicious
    I like both the pistachio and almond on it

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  25. Wow..looks so perfect dear..want to eat one..

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  26. Nice recipe and perfect nan khatis ,nidthya...I have posted same almond cookies...So Same pinch..

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  27. This looks superb....First time here..following your lovely space..

    FunWidFud

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  28. Hi Nidhya,
    I have made a special Thank You Tag for you. Please collect it from AWARDS GALORE-9
    (end of the post)

    http://foodmazaa.blogspot.com/2011/03/awards-galore-9.html

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  29. Oh.. I love these.. Yours look so perfect !!
    Bhalo Khabo

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  30. thrs an award waiting u in my blog pls come and collect it........

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  31. cookies looks amazing..mouthwatering n delicious...first time here..u hv a lovely space..
    visit mine as time permits..
    sanyukta
    http://creativesanyukta.blogspot.com/

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  32. i think i wasn't gettg updates from u...and i think have missed a lotlove the naan khattis

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  33. These biscuits are so perfect.It looks cute.I am first time here,i liked your blogger name.I like to invite you visit my blog.
    cheers
    rani

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  34. This looks awesome! Brings back memories from childhood. Will surely give it a try.

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  35. Wow it's look so yummy, Thanks for the share with us.
    Coffee Walnut Cookies

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