Katlu – A Home-made Nutritional Bar

God can’t be everywhere therefore He made Mothers

Today we celebrate Mothers Day – Mothering Sunday. I dedicate this blog to all the mothers out there who do a beautiful job of bringing a new life into this world and caring for them unconditionally. Having 3 children of my own, I know all the challenges that goes around while they grow.

Bringing children up can be very difficult at times, reduce one to tears but at the same time it is most rewarding.

The changes in a woman’s body, mind and emotions from conception, to the different stages of pregnancy, accommodating the need and space for her child to grow within her. To giving birth and caring for the new life until her own body gets back to its original state, is quite a journey a woman goes through, and of course it doesn’t end there. A child is a part of the mother, and the mothers love can never be measured, it is beyond time and space. One that should be most respected and honoured.

Katlu is a Gujarati sweet dish packed with goodness and is made specially when a woman gives birth. Almost all women love it and look forward to sampling it when someone has a baby. The spices and herbs used to make it, all have healing and strengthening properties, helping to rebuild the body and giving her enough strength to care and produce milk for her new-born.

Katlu also helps post surgery patients and the elderly, giving them strength to heal quicker and also producing heat within the body in the winter months.

Katlu in one of the many dishes my mum is well-known for. She is asked to make it very so often. Her Katlu beats no other. She passed on her recipe to me and I must say, it turned out quite decent.

The ingredients used to make Katlu are

1 kg ghee

1 cup wholemeal chapati flour

1 cup Gund – edible gum – helps in strengthening of the back bone and joints.

1 cup fennel seeds powder – Has dietary fibre, rich in iron and vitamin C and has anti inflammatory qualities

1 cup dill seeds powder – Helps with the digestion. Also has Calcium

1 cup dessicated coconut – Coconuts helps in building immunity and has antiviral properties to help with healthy recover

1 cup ginger powder – Works as a digestive aid. It breaks down fats and proteins in food to allow easier absorption without creating gas. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and helps in creating body heat

1 cup almond and pistachio powder – Almonds and Pistachios are important source of protein, fats, and minerals. They are rich source of energy with many health benefits.

1 cup poppy seeds – These are high in minerals and fibre. They act as a pain-killer to some extent.

2 tbsp Katlu powder – available in many Indian grocery stores. It is a mix of 32 perfectly blended of traditional Ayurvedic herbs and other spice, mixed in optimum quantity brings all types of vitamins, proteins and other nutrients in a single spoon.

1 tbsp turmeric powder – Has an anti inflammatory qualities and helps with the healing.

1/2 teaspoon chilli powder – Is a used for prevention of any evil eye on the new baby or the health of the Mother

1 teaspoon rubbed Saffron – Helps in creating body heat and also helps with healthy production of milk to feed the baby.

3 cups gor – jaggery – Give the dish sweetness. Helps against joint pains and menstrual pains. It is a great energy booster.

All these ingredients are roasted in ghee to perfection, one at a time – 1 minute for each ingredient.

Lay the mixture out on a greased tray. Sprinkle it with chopped almonds, pistachios and poppy seeds and press it down to set.

Leave it for a couple of hours to cool. With a palette knife, cut into squares. Let it cool completely before lifting one piece at a time.

Store in an air tight container and eat as required. For the new mums it is advised to eat 1 square piece first thing in the morning with a glass of warm milk.

For the full recipe please message me and I will pass it on.
Will appreciate a feedback

My mum – a woman of many talents, who has always stood by me. Who has not only been my friend but also my guide, my rock, my well-wisher. I love you Mum!! Happy Mothers Day!!
My Mother in Law – A second mum who has always been there for me .. Happy Mothers Day.
And to all mums out there …… Happy Mothers Day