Makhana Kheer is an Indian pudding made using fox nuts, milk, sugar, and dry fruits. It is a delicious dessert which can be served on any occasion especially for vrat or fasting days. Here is how to make it.
During fasting (Vrat) days our choices of food generally roam around the various dishes made from either potatoes, sago (sabudana) or samo rice (sama ke chawal).
We tend to ignore other lip-smacking delicacies that we can make to relish ourselves during the fasting days.
One of them is absolutely delicious and mouthwatering Makhana Kheer.
Kheer is an all-time favorite sweet indulgence for all of us, not only because it is super easy to make, but also, because of its thick, creamy, and rich taste.
Making a bowl of kheer during the festive season is an Indian ritual which many of us religiously follow.
Some also prepare it as a prasad during a pooja ceremony.
Whenever you prepare this mouthwatering delicacy, instead of using rice all the time, try something new and replace your regular rice with these crunchy makhanas.
These are not only a healthy alternative to rice but also takes significantly less time while cooking when compared to rice.
People enjoy Makhana Kheer especially during the fasting days in order to substitute their no grain with something healthy, flavorsome, and absolutely scrumptious.
Now let’s get some further insights into this delectable Makhana Kheer Recipe.
What is Makhana?
Makhana is a part of the lotus flower. The seeds of the lotus flower are collected and processed in order to obtain these healthy makhanas.
They are grown in Bihar in India, Korea, Japan, and in some parts of Russia.
Fox nut, phool makhana, lotus seeds, gorgon seeds, and Euryale ferox are the other names of makhanas.
These are used in various Indian sweets and also in some curry recipes.
You can read more about these here.
Health Benefits Of Makhana
Makhana or fox nuts tend to provide us with a lot of health benefits. Some of them are as follows :
● Makhana is low in calories, gluten-free, and are also rich in protein which makes them a perfect snack for the ones who are on diet.
● Consuming makhana helps in preventing inflammation and aging due to the presence of a natural flavonoid called kaempferol.
● Due to their high magnesium and low sodium levels, they are highly recommended to the ones suffering from high blood pressure, heart diseases, and obesity.
● Makhanas tend to have a high fiber content, which helps in improving our digestive system and prevent constipation.
What is Makhane ki Kheer?
Makhana Kheer is basically a fox nut pudding which is made by boiling milk and sugar together along with some roasted makhana and dry fruits.
The milk is simmered until it turns thick and creamy, which is then flavored with cardamom powder, saffron strands and slivers of almonds and pistachios.
Serving Suggestions
This kheer can be served either hot or chilled along with the main course meal.
It also acts as a perfect post-dinner dessert. The kheer is especially enjoyed by the ones who are fasting during the festive season.
Garnish the kheer with slivered dry fruits and dry rose petals before serving.
You can sprinkle a few strands of saffron if you wish.
How to make it for Babies?
Makhana is an ideal food option for growing babies. Among the various ways in which you can feed your babies, makhana kheer is the best choice.
To make this kheer for babies, just roast the makhanas in ghee until crispy and then grind them well into a fine powder.
Now add the powder into the milk along with some sugar and boil it 2-3 times.
Do not boil the milk until thick and creamy because babies would not be able to digest it properly.
Add dry fruits, saffron, and cardamom powder as per the liking and age of your baby.
How to make it with Jaggery?
If you wish to prepare a healthier version of this kheer, replace white sugar with jaggery powder as jaggery is an unrefined version of sugar.
Since no chemicals are added while processing jaggery, it tends to keep its all vitamins and minerals intact, which makes it a healthier alternative to refined sugar.
How to make it with Condensed Milk?
If you wish to prepare makhana kheer in just 10-12 minutes, you can add ½ a tin of condensed milk in 1-litre milk instead of refined sugar.
Adding condensed milk provides the desired consistency to the kheer and also reduces the cooking time of the milk.
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Step by Step Recipe
Heat ghee in a heavy bottom pan.
Add makhana and roast on medium heat until crispy.
Add milk in the pan and bring it to a boil.
Simmer the heat and let the kheer cook for 10-12 minutes. Add almonds, cashew nuts, pistachios and raisins and cook until kheer thickens.
Add sugar and cardamom powder and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
Finally add saffron threads and cook for 2-3 minutes. Serve the kheer hot or chilled.
Makhana Kheer Recipe
Makhana ki Kheer is an Indian pudding made using fox nuts, milk, sugar and dry fruits. It is a delicious dessert which can be served on any occasion especially for vrat or fasting days. Here is how to make it.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Ghee
- 2 cups Makhana
- 1 litre Full Fat Milk
- 1/4 cup Almonds Slivered
- 1/4 cup Cashew Nuts Slivered
- 1/4 cup Pistachios Slivered
- 1/4 cup Raisins
- 1/4 cup Sugar
- 1/2 tsp Cardamom Powder
- 10-12 strands Saffron
Instructions
Heat ghee in a heavy bottom pan.
Add makhana and roast on medium heat until crispy.
Add milk in the pan and bring it to a boil.
Simmer the heat and let the kheer cook for 10-12 minutes.
Add almonds, cashew nuts, pistachios and raisins and cook until kheer thickens.
Add sugar and cardamom powder and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
Add saffron threads and cook for 2-3 minutes.
Serve the kheer hot or chilled.
Recipe Notes
Keep stirring the kheer while cooking.
Adjust the sugar according to your taste.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!