Ingredients:

• 1 cup almonds (badam)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• A few saffron strands (optional)
• 1/4 cup water
• A pinch of cardamom powder
• Ghee (clarified butter) for greasing

Instructions:

1. Blanched Almonds:

• To blanch the almonds, bring water to a boil and add the almonds. Allow them to boil for about 1-2 minutes.
• Drain the almonds and rinse them with cold water.
• Gently press each almond between your fingers to remove the skin.
• Allow the blanched almonds to dry for a few hours or overnight.

2. Almond Paste:

• Grind the blanched almonds into a fine paste without adding any water. You may need to scrape down the sides of the blender or food processor to ensure a smooth paste.
• If you choose to use saffron, soak it in a tablespoon of warm milk, and add it to the almond paste.

3. Sugar Syrup:

• In a non-stick pan, combine the sugar and water. Heat it over medium-low heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.

4. Combining Almond Paste and Sugar Syrup:

• Add the almond paste to the sugar syrup and stir continuously over medium-low heat.
• Continue to cook and stir until the mixture thickens and starts to leave the sides of the pan. This can take around 10-15 minutes.

5. Cardamom Flavor:

• Add a pinch of cardamom powder for flavor and stir well.

6. Shaping Badam Katli:

• Remove the mixture from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes until it's warm to the touch but not too hot.
• Grease a plate or a clean surface with a little ghee.
• Place the almond-sugar mixture on the greased surface and knead it while it's still warm. If it becomes too cool, it will be difficult to shape.
• Roll out the mixture into a smooth, thin circle using a rolling pin.

7. Cutting:

• Use a sharp knife to cut the rolled mixture into diamond or square shapes. You can also use cookie cutters for different shapes.

8. Serving:

• Allow the Badam Katli to cool completely before serving.

Your homemade Badam Katli is ready to be enjoyed. It's a delightful, melt-in-the-mouth sweet treat, perfect for celebrating Dussehra and other festive occasions.