Update on Jan 16, 2022: Watch my video of the preparation of Makhana Kheer on the special occasion of my YouTube Channel First Anniversary. This is a sweet dish that can be prepared during any fasting / vrat or even on regular basis. Here is the link to my YouTube channel for Makhana Kheer recipe.
Makhana Kheer is a dessert made often during Navratri fasting, Mahashivratri fasting or during Ekadasi fasting. It is made out of Makhana or foxnuts or phool makhana.
The ingredients required for preparing it are very easily available in any Indian household. Here is the list for your reference.
INGREDIENTS :
(1) Half litre Full cream Milk
(2) 40 grams of Makhana
(3) 10-12 teaspoons of Sugar. You may take powdered Sugar.
(4) 12 Cashews
(5) 15 Almonds
(6) 6 Cloves / Lavang
(7) Half teaspoon of Green Cardamom / Cardamom powder / Elaichi powder
(8) 2 teaspoon of Clarified butter / Ghee for roasting the Makhana
Cuisine : Indian
Course : Sweet dish
Serves : 2 persons
Time required : 20 minutes
PREPARATION :
(1) Soak 15 almonds in a bowl full of lukewarm water for 30 minutes. After that, you can peel the skin of the almonds and slice them as shown.
(2) Break each of the 12 cashews into halves.
All ingredients set aside.
METHOD :
(1) Heat 2 teaspoons of ghee in a pan. Roast 12 cashews (halved) in the ghee. Once golden brown, take them in a small bowl.
(2) In the remaining ghee, add Makhana and roast on a medium flame until they are crisp. Keep stirring continuously.
Remove the roasted Makhana in a bowl and let them cool.
This process of roasting the Makhana took about 4 minutes. Here is the video clip showing the process of roasting the Makhana.
(3) Keep aside 1/3 of roasted Makhana.
(4) Take 2/3 of roasted Makhana in a grinding jar of the mixer grinder and grind it into a coarse powder.
(5) Heat 500 ml / Half litre milk in a thick bottomed utensil. Keep stirring at regular intervals so that the milk does not scorch from the bottom.
(6) Once the milk is boiled, add 4-5 teaspoons of Sugar and stir well. You may add the amount of sugar as per sweetness required to you.
(7) Add powdered Makhana, then the whole reserved roasted Makhana.
Stir well.
(8) Add crushed Cloves.
(9) Add Cardamom powder.
(10) Add broken roasted Cashews.
Mix well.
(11) You may add blanched and sliced almonds too at this stage.
Simmer for a minute or two. And turn off the gas flame.
(12) Serve the Makhana Kheer in a serving bowl and garnish with roasted dry fruits. I have garnished with roasted / broken cashews and blanched /sliced almonds.
This kheer can be served hot or warm or chilled. Once cooled, the kheer tends to thicken.
BENEFITS OF MAKHANA
(1) Makhana or Lotus Seeds have low sodium and high magnesium content. This makes it beneficial for those suffering from heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity.
(2) It helps to regulates blood sugar levels.
(3) It detoxifies the liver and helps the liver to function properly and enhance metabolism.
(4) It helps to maintain kidney health. It helps to control the blood flow and regulate urination.
(5) Makhanas are quite low in calories, keeps you fuller for longer time due to the presence of sufficient amount of protein, hence good for those looking for weight loss diet options. Roasted Makhana serves as an excellent evening tea time snack.
(6) Makhanas are rice in Calcium and Magnesium which are essential in maintaining bone health.
(7) It helps by strengthening the lining of the uterus. It is also known to improve sperm count as well as the quality of sperms in males. Hence, Makhana plays a good role in triggering fertility in both men and women.
(8) It reduces stress and cures insomnia.
(9) It is rich in antioxidants and certain amino acids, which has anti-ageing properties. It tightens the skin, prevents wrinkles and controls early signs of ageing. Thus it is good for overall skin health.
(10) It helps to provide healthy nutrients to maintain healthy hair. It acts as a natural conditioner for the hair and is used as a main ingredient in many hair conditioning products.