Makhane ki kheer is a simple, gluten-free dessert made with fox nuts, milk and desiccated coconut. This Indian dessert is made especially during the Indian festival Navratri but you can enjoy it on any other day too.
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Today’s recipe Makhane ki kheer is my fourth Navratri recipe of this season. On my blog, I share the recipes of the food I actually make in my kitchen. Since we are celebrating Navratri these days, I am cooking vrat ka khana (recipes which are cooked during this festival) every day and that’s the reason there are so many new Navratri recipes on my blog.
What is Makhana and what are its health benefits?
Makhana is the Hindi word for Fox nuts or lotus seeds. Though it’s referred to as lotus seeds, Makhana comes from a water lily called Euryale Ferox, also known as Gorgon plant.
It’s an ancient food known for its health benefits across Asia. They have an important place both in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine.
Makhana Health benefits
- Low cholesterol, fat and sodium level, makes Makhana a great healthy snacking option. These crunchy balls are a healthy substitute for popcorns.
- Due to their low glycemic index, doctors advise diabetic patients to eat it. I have experienced this personally, as my father whose sugar level is slightly on the higher side, has been asked to eat roasted Makhana by his doctor.
- Makhana is vegan, gluten-free, rich in protein and fibers so almost everyone can enjoy it.
- These seeds are said to have an anti-aging enzyme which helps to repair damaged protein.
- Makhana contains good fat and low saturated fat so it makes an ideal snacking option for heart patients.
So, if you believe in healthy eating or are trying to lose weight, then Makhana is a must-have ingredient in your pantry.
How to cook Makhana?
Makhana is used a lot in Indian cooking, especially during festivals like Navratri.
Raw Makhana has a sponge-like texture but when you roast it for a few minutes, it turns crunchy. You can add some salt and pepper to the roasted Makhana and enjoy just like that.
What is Makhane ki kheer?
Makhane ki kheer is an Indian pudding which is prepared by cooking Fox nuts with milk, desiccated coconut, and dry fruits on a low-medium flame.
It’s one of the limited ingredients which are allowed to be consumed during Navratri. So this recipe is prepared at this time.
More kheer recipes on this blog
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Step by step photo instructions
Makhane ki kheer
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups fox nuts (makhana)
- 1 ltr full cream milk
- 2.5 tbsp desiccated coconut You can use fresh coconut also
- 1/4 cup condensed milk
- 2 tbsp chopped nuts almonds, cashew nuts, and raisins
- 1/8 teaspoon green cardamom powder
Instructions
- Dry roast the fox nuts till they turn crunchy. It will take around 5 minutes. Keep around a cup of fox nuts aside and roughly crush the remaining.
- Boil milk in a pot. Add dry fruits and green cardamom powder to it and cook for around 15-20 minutes on medium flame or till the milk starts thickening. Keep on stirring in between.
- Add the desiccated coconut, and crushed fox nuts. Cook for another 8-10 minutes and then add the condensed milk, mix and cook for another 5 minutes.
- Finally, add the uncrushed fox nuts and switch off the gas. Let the fox nuts soak some milk. Garnish with some chopped dry fruits. Serve hot, warm or chilled.
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