Ingredients:
1 cup of whole raw almonds
3/4 cup of sugar (or a little less for a milder sweetness)
a pinch of good quality saffron
4 tsp of clarified butter (ghee) or according to taste (optional)
milk as required (optional) (approximately 1/4 -1/2 cup)
Procedure:
1.Heat sufficient water ( it should be enough to cover all the almonds) on high heat until it comes to near boiling temperature.
2.Remove from heat and add raw whole almonds to the water. Let almonds soak in hot water for about 15 to 30 minutes.
3.Remove each almond carefully (remember it could still be pretty warm/ hot) and just press the almond slightly or rub the skin slightly and the skin peels off entirely.
4.Continue this process until all almonds are skinned.
5.Grind almonds in a blender adding water or milk as required to make a smooth paste ( I used milk this time)
6.Keep ground almond paste aside.
7.Warm 2 tsp of milk and add a pinch of saffron to it and let the saffron dissolve in that.
8.Add almond paste, sugar and saffron + milk mixture together in a heavy bottomed pan and place on medium to medium high heat and stir frequently.
9.Add clarified butter / ghee to this mixture at this point and mix well.
10.Keep a lid handy as more moisture in the mixture will cause the mixture to splatter.
11.If this happens just close with a lid, leave a very small gap for the moisture to evaporate and let the mixture evaporate a little.
12.Keep stirring until the mixture thickens and the mixture starts to leave the sides and comes together in the center. I remove mine when a little cooled mixture is able to be rolled, then I know it is done.
Remove from heat and cool a little.
Store in an airtight container and you can keep this without refrigeration for a period of about 3 - 4 days without problems.