I once read that the essence of a culture is in the words that cannot be translated. Explained yes, but not directly translated. The example given by the author was of Urdu word “takalluf”. “Takalluf” is that polite first and often second time refusal of an offer that stems from good manners. Someone asks for tea and you politely refuse the first time, perhaps even the second even as your eyes are practically glued shut from exhaustion.
Recipe Origins
There are many recipes for meethi tikiyaan out there, some with shredded coconut folded in, most with a handful of semolina. The version I am sharing is the one taught to me by my youngest aunt, our resident tikiyaan maker extraordinaire. It is one she learnt from her aunt who learnt it from her mother, and so on. Regular readers will know that I don’t often value tradition for the sake of tradition, it has to make sense. When I share a recipe like this, that is part art part science it is because when you bite into it, and know it is just right it strikes a chord so powerful you can almost feel the generations behind it. Tikiyaan makers will see one big difference between this recipe and all others. Also while others make their meethi tikiyaan 3-4 inches big, my Aunt makes hers an eminently snackable 2 inches. Meethi Tikiyaan are a staple at the Rajab Kundon ki Niaz. The Niaz is an open house style meal that is hosted with the hope of receiving blessings in an auspicious month. The day of a niaz would entail a mad rush of cooking and cleaning, but I always looked forward to when my aunt would swoop in like a mini hurricane simultaneously instructing me on how to plate the tikiyaan and admonishing us to resist from sampling them lest we run out. My last Rajab in Karachi I went over to my Aunts one night to learn how to make her trademark tikis and immediately learnt two things. One, that my meethi tikiyaan would never be as good as hers with her years of know how and two, that tikiyan are an art not science.
Meethi Tikiyaan Troubleshooting & Tips:
- If you are making the meethi tikiyaan on a very hot day* Please don’t add the milk in the first round of kneading. The inclusion of ghee in the recipe will keep the dough soft enough when it melds after resting.* Refrigerate any dough that you are not using so that it stays workable.- If you are making tikiyaan in a colder dryer climate* You may need to add ½ tbsp of milk early on in the process.* If the tikiyaan are ‘dry’ enough to touch then for that first batch you may not even need extra flour to roll them out The dough will be firm, but do not overwork it. Bring it together, let it rest, give it a quick knead. Use freshly pounded cardamom seeds NOT powder The brand of ghee you use will impact the taste, go with one you really like! Temperature of ghee/oil is super important. When it is right the tikiyaan will initially fall to the bottom and slowly cook through a rise to the bottom. If the temperature isn’t right some of them may break (still tasty) Sugar - I get a lot of questions about which sugar to use. In Pakistan we grind the sugar a little because the granules are very thick, in Canada I do not. I have made these with half sugar in the raw and half regular and they’re delicious, but a little more rustic looking. Help! My Tikiyaan are Breaking! Deep breath. You sure the ghee is at the right temperature? If so then take a good look at your dough. Is it crumbly/dry? add a warm spoonful of milk, knead. Too soft? add a heaped spoonful of flour, knead. Fry on 🙂 Too hard: If your tikiyaan were the right texture when you made them but are getting too hard then store them with a slice of bread. This is a tip I got from one of my readers who tried it out and it works!
A little heart to heart
Now that we have all that out of the way can I tell you something? I have made these quite a few times now and they are never ever exactly the same from one to the next and that is absolutely fine. They are always delicious but in Urdu as we say “unees-bees ka faraq hai”. When you make them the first time write down what you liked, what you didn’t like and make it your own! It makes my heart sing when I see the different adaptations of these that people have been sharing with me. Cardamom-nutmeg, coconut, semolina - so many exciting twists on this classic Meethi Tikiyan! Keep them coming folks!
What goes with Meethi Tikiyaan?
One word: Kheer. Three options:
Bread Kheer Instant Pot Kheer Stovetop Rice Kheer
All three recipes are simplified, accessible, and dare I say, extremely delicious? Made this recipe? Rate it below (the stars on the printable!) and tag me in your creations on instagram. Are you a visual learner? Check out my instagram story highlights (I am @flourandspiceblog) to see photos/videos! How about this easy No Churn Kulfa Ice Cream or a Coconut Barfi?
