Navratri 2023: Celebrate the Festive Spirit with Satvik Delights and Nutty Makhana Desserts

Navratri 2023: The much-awaited Hindu festival of Navratri has arrived, and even amidst the pandemic, our festive spirit remains undeterred. While we may have adapted to the new normal, we continue to celebrate this auspicious occasion with enthusiasm, albeit in a more intimate and meaningful manner.

Commemorating the nine incarnations of Goddess Durga, Navratri is a nine-day festival that begins on October 15th and concludes on October 24th, 2023. During this time, Hindus wake up early in the morning, perform pujas (rituals), and prepare delicious prasad (food offerings) and bhog (feast) for the deity.

Limited Food Options During Navratri Fasting

For many people, Navratri is also a time to observe a fast or vrat, which typically involves abstaining from grains, pulses, legumes, and even common salt. As a result, the options for food are quite limited, but this is also an opportunity for vrat superfoods like sabudana (tapioca), kuttu (buckwheat), and singhare ka atta (water chestnut flour) to shine and showcase their versatility.

Makhana: The Nutty Vrat Food

Another vrat food that is incredibly popular during Navratri is Makhana or fox nuts. These nutrient-dense seeds have a subtle, nutty flavor and are used extensively in Indian cuisine, particularly in vrat dishes. Moreover, Makhana is also a popular ingredient in desserts, lending its unique texture and taste to create delectable and satvik (pure) treats.

5 Nutty Navratri Desserts with Makhana

In this article, we will share five mouth-watering Navratri desserts that feature Makhana as the star ingredient. These desserts are not only delicious but also easy to make, even for those who are not seasoned cooks. So, let’s dive into these delectable and nutty treats!

1.  Makhana KheerKheer is a traditional Indian rice pudding that is typically made with milk, sugar, and rice. However, during Navratri, rice is not allowed, so Makhana becomes the perfect substitute. To make this creamy and indulgent dessert, you will need Makhana, milk, sugar, cardamom powder, and chopped nuts. Simply roast the Makhana in ghee (clarified butter), grind it into a powder, and then cook it in milk until it thickens. Add sugar and cardamom powder to taste and garnish with chopped nuts.

Makhana kheer is a delicious and healthy Indian dessert made with makhana (foxnuts), milk, sugar, and flavored with cardamom powder and chopped nuts. Here is a simple recipe for making Makhana Kheer at home:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup makhana (foxnuts)
• 1 liter full-fat milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp cardamom powder
• A handful of chopped almonds and pistachios for garnishInstructions:
  1. Dry roast the makhana in a pan for a few minutes until they turn crunchy. Set them aside.
  2. In a large pot, bring the milk to a boil and then simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Add the roasted makhana to the pot and continue to cook on low heat for another 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Add sugar and cardamom powder and continue to cook on low heat until the kheer thickens to a desired consistency.
  5. Turn off the heat and let the kheer cool to room temperature.
  6. Garnish with chopped almonds and pistachios and serve chilled.

  Your Makhana Kheer is ready to be served. Enjoy the rich and creamy dessert that is loaded with the goodness of makhana and nuts.

2. Makhana Ladoo

Ladoos are sweet, bite-sized balls that are often made during festivals and celebrations in India. Makhana Ladoos are made by roasting Makhana in ghee, grinding it into a powder, and then mixing it with jaggery (unrefined cane sugar), cardamom powder, and chopped nuts. Roll the mixture into small balls and let them cool. These Ladoos are a perfect snack for those who are fasting or as a dessert after a meal.

Makhana Ladoo is a delicious and healthy sweet dish made with makhana (foxnuts), jaggery (unrefined cane sugar), and ghee (clarified butter). It is a popular Indian sweet that is often prepared during festivals and special occasions. Here is a simple recipe for making Makhana Ladoo at home:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups makhana (foxnuts)
• 1 cup jaggery (unrefined cane sugar)
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tbsp ghee (clarified butter)
• 1 tsp cardamom powder
• A handful of chopped almonds and pistachios for garnish

Instructions:

1. Dry roast the makhana in a pan for a few minutes until they turn crunchy. Grind them into a coarse powder in a food processor or grinder. Set them aside.
2. In a separate pan, add jaggery and water and cook on low heat, stirring continuously until the jaggery dissolves completely.
3. Add ghee to the pan and let it melt. Add the ground makhana powder and cardamom powder and stir well.
4. Cook the mixture on low heat, stirring continuously until the mixture starts to leave the sides of the pan and forms a dough-like consistency.
5. Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool down for a few minutes.
6. Once the mixture is cool enough to handle, take small portions of the mixture and roll them into small round balls (ladoos).
7. Garnish with chopped almonds and pistachios and serve.

Your Makhana Ladoo is ready to be served. Enjoy the healthy and delicious sweet dish that is perfect for any occasion.

3. Makhana Barfi

Soft and puffy fox nuts sedulously cooked with milk, sugar and cardamom until thick. Orange bits offer delightful citrusy punch.

Orange-Makhana Kheer is a delicious and healthy dessert that is perfect for any occasion. It is a traditional Indian dessert that is made with milk, makhana (foxnuts), sugar, and flavored with orange zest and cardamom powder. Here is a simple recipe for making Orange-Makhana Kheer at home:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup makhana (foxnuts)
• 1 liter full-fat milk
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp cardamom powder
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1 tbsp ghee (clarified butter)
• A handful of chopped almonds and pistachios

Instructions:

1. Dry roast the makhana in a pan for a few minutes until they turn crunchy. Set them aside.
2. In the same pan, add ghee and roast the chopped almonds and pistachios. Set them aside.
3. In a large pot, bring the milk to a boil and then simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Add the roasted makhana to the pot and continue to cook on low heat for another 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Add sugar, cardamom powder, and orange zest and continue to cook on low heat until the kheer thickens to a desired consistency.
6. Turn off the heat and let the kheer cool to room temperature.
7. Garnish with the roasted almonds and pistachios and serve chilled.Your Orange-Makhana Kheer is ready to be served. Enjoy the rich and creamy dessert that is loaded with flavors of orange and cardamom.