If you like popcorn, I can bet you will love Makhana. Now, What is Makhana?
Makhana is a popped water lilly seed. a.k.a Lotus seeds, Fox nuts, Gorgon Nuts.
This is a guilt free fat free easy snack. When I introduce this to my cooking clients, they are always surprised on how tasty this is and immediately ask- Are you sure this is healthy? ;)
Rasa/Tastes: Sweet, Astringent
Potency: Cooling
Affect on Doshas: Good for tridoshas, but because of its astringent qualities, can aggrava Vata when consumed in excess. So avoid these when you are constipated.
Sources of magnesium, manganese, phosporous,calcium,pottasium,thiamine, and has a low glycemic index making this a easy snack for weight watchers.
Uses: Ant- ageing, aphrodasiac,cardiovascular health, insomnia, IBS, healthy protein.
These seeds are packed with many nutrients and are used in Ayurvedic medicine and Chinese traditional medicine. People in India use this in cooking curries or porridge, but I like them slightly toasted in ghee either with spices or jaggery or molasses caramel.
For the last few years, this has been our family's favorite to go snack.
Recipe:
Spicy Makhana: Take a cast iron frying pan and add a teaspoon of ghee. Toss the makhana along with any nuts for added texture and gently stir till they are slightly golden in color. Now you can add spices- I prefer turmeric, cumin powder, black pepper.
Caramelized Makhana: Take a cast iron frying pan and add a teaspoon of ghee. Toss the makhana along with any nuts for added texture and gently stir till they are slightly golden in color. Now add a few spoons of ground Jaggery and stir it quickly quickly. Turn off the stove. Since Jaggery is moist it will form a string like consistency. Spread them uniformly on a parchment paper before it cools down and hardens. Now sprinkle some chia or sesame seeds while the caramel is hot. Once it cools down, store them in an airtight container
Hope you enjoy this with your family and friends. Please share your ideas on how else do you like to prepare Fox Nuts
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