Pudina Makhana Flavoured Recipe | Caramelized Makhana Recipe

Pudina Makhana Flavoured Recipe | Caramelized Makhana Recipe

Looking for healthy, tasty and easy snack recipes? Your search ends right here ; Pudina Makhana Flavoured Recipe | Caramelized Makhana Recipe

I unflinchingly believe that there are two kinds of people in this world: people who love sweet food and those who love savoury food. On this belief, I share twin recipes of Pudina Makhana Flavoured Recipe | Caramelized Makhana Recipe; savoury and sweet.

Lotus seeds or phool makhana or fox nuts are scrumptious, easy to make and is a thoroughly, guilt free snack.

What is Makhana?

Makhanas are popularly known as lotus seeds phool makhana, fox nuts and gorgon nuts and. These small light balls are a powerhouse of nourishment and can prevent numerous diseases. They are mostly grown in wet and marshy lands of Asian countries. What’s more, makhanas belong to the Euryale genus and are well-known for their myriad health benefits.

In fact, they are a part of a beautiful flower plant, makhanas are laden with nutrients, which are vital for the right functioning of the human body. They are low in sodium, saturated fats and cholesterol. With the growing health awareness among people, makhanas are becoming popular due to their health benefits. I remember my mom using Makhanas in Pinnis or wheat laddus or fried on very special occasions. I somehow never liked them then and now I can live on them. The method of extracting the lotus seeds and processing it into edible form is quite intricate and requires skilled manpower. No wonder its price is steep.

Health benefits of Makhanas

Enhanced with the goodness of nature, Makhanas are loaded with the wholesomeness of protein, potassium, phosphorus, carbohydrates, fibre, magnesium, iron and zinc. These vital nutrients make these munchies a perfect go to healthy snack.

Great for Weight Loss

If you are watching your weight and want to slash your calories, Makhanas can make for a healthy midday munchy as it is low in calories and high on nutrition.

Kind to Kidneys

Loaded with acerbic properties they commendably help in aiding kidney related issues.

Balances Sugar Levels

Yes, that’s true. Makhanas are a healthy snack for diabetics as there is no sugar content, which helps in sustaining a balance of sugar levels. Apart from that it can satiate hunger pangs and stimulates weight loss.

Makhana- Filled with Fibre

With processed and junk foods we do not get any good fibre. Lotus seeds are packed with soluble fibre that can efficiently aid in constipation and indigestion. This further leads to weight loss.

Loaded with Antioxidants

Makhanas are enriched with the beneficence of antioxidants, which additionally help in relieving chronic inflammation, early ageing and stress.

Pudina Makhana Flavoured Recipe | Caramelized Makhana Recipe

Phew!! Do you need any more reason to say NO to popcorn and AYE to Fox nuts? The Pudina Makhana Flavoured Recipe is for all those spicy tangy foodies who love the crunch of tanginess while the ones with the sweet tooth can indulge it with the Caramelized Makhana as it is made with Gur or jaggery. Gur is nothing but unrefined sugar and it has a whole lot more benefits than makhanas.

Phool makhana is used in many dishes like kheer, makhani, rich gravies, laddus and also as a snack.   You can add some seeds like flax or pumpkin if you like.

Lotus seeds have become a fad now but I started roasting and eating it almost four years ago. Catch my plain salted and Peri Peri Makhana Recipe here.

Ingredients for Pudina Makhana Flavoured Recipe

100 gms Lotus seeds

1 tbsp.  Olive oil or ghee

1 tsp red chilli powder

2 sprigs curry leaves

1 tsp black pepper

2 tbsp dry mint powder

1 tsp black salt

Method

 Heat ½ teaspoon of oil or ghee in a pan.  Add the makhana or lotus seeds.

Dry roast them on a low flame until they become crunchy and crispy.  Transfer to a bowl.  Keep aside.

In the same pan, heat ½ teaspoon of ghee or oil.  Add the washed curry leaves and sauté till crisp.( yes, I live in south India and I add fresh curry leaves to almost everything)

Add the red chili powder, sauté for a second.

Mint Flavoured Makhana

Add the roasted lotus seeds and sauté for a few minutes.  Now add pepper powder, salt, black salt and the mint powder. 

You can use fresh mint, dry roast and powder it and then use it. I have lots of mint growing in my garden and used that and the aroma and flavour hits the nostrils!

https://youtu.be/VnsRzr5x6Nc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxtueEUlW0E&feature=youtu.be

Mix well so that the masala is coated nicely over the makhana. Pop a couple in your mouth and check for the taste, flavour and crunchiness.

https://youtu.be/KARC25pVf8M

Refreshing, airy, flavourful, Pudina Makhana Flavoured Recipe is ready.  Serve with tea or coffee or just munch on it while watching Sacred Games on Netflix.

Caramelized Makhana Recipe

 Ingredients

100 gms Makhana

1 tbsp jaggery (gur)

1/2 tsp ghee

1 tsp sesame seeds

Method

Heat ½ teaspoon of oil or ghee in a pan.  Add the makhana or lotus seeds.

Dry roast them on a low flame until they become crunchy and crispy.  Transfer to a bowl.  Keep aside.

In the same pan add 1/2 tsp ghee. To it add the crushed jaggery stir well.

Once the jaggery has melted nicely and the aroma wafts in the air, switch off the flame.

Finally, add the roasted Makhana and sesame seeds to the caramelized gur.

Mix until the Makhanas are well coated in jaggery.

The Makhana tend to stick to each other in the caramel but don’t fret about it.Once cool you can just tear them apart and they come off easily.

Your Caramelized Makhana Recipe; light, crunchy golden globules, are ready to be ravished