Makhana Kheer Recipe – I often hear my fellow friends saying they don’t get time to cook or cooking takes time, and this means dessert is one thing which normally goes out of window. I am sharing this step by step pudding recipe of Lotus seeds, also known as Foxnut seeds which can be made in jiffy. It is more commonly known as “Makhane Ke Kheer” (मखाने की खीर).
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What is Makhana or Foxnut seed
Makhana, is a non-cereal grown in the stagnant water like that of wetlands, and lakes. Well known as a fasting food, this surprisingly outweighs benefits of dry fruits such as almonds or walnuts.
You get makhana from the lotus seeds. Yes, the same lotus flower! Korea, Japan, part of easter Russia and Bihar in India, are some of the places where makhana is processed.
Makhana seeds are often used in Indian cuisine. You can make makhana cutlets, eat roasted makhana, make curry out of makhana, and also make pudding (kheer) from makhana.
This is phalahari kheer recipe which is suitable for Navratri fasting or vrat or any upwaas, like Mahashivratri. Makhana is healthier than any other cornflake cereals or popcorn, hence I normally roast it and keep it in jar and simply munch it when hungry.
Few of the health benefits offered by makhana
- Makhana or Foxnut seeds are a great source of fiber. These are low in calories, which enables weight loss.
- Patients of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart diseases and obesity, find it useful. Thanks to its high magnesium and low sodium content.
- Guess what? It even helps as anti-aging agent, as it contains enzyme which repair damaged proteins and is a good source of potassium, phosphorus, iron and zinc too. Wow! Seems endless benefits.
Method of making Makhana Kheer
- Heat the ghee in a pan / kadhai and add the lotus seeds to it. Roast these seeds on a low flame for 2-3 minutes till they turn crisp.
- Switch off the flame and grind them in a grinding jar to a coarse mixture. Keep aside.
- Boil the milk in another pan and let it reduce to a two-third. Add coarsely crushed lotus seeds and all the dry fruits and mix them well.
- Cook this for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the condensed milk, saffron and Cardamom powder and switch off the flame. Mix it well. In case you do not have these, you may skip it. Adding these surely adds to taste.
- Garnish with some chopped dry fruits and serve.
Pro Tips for Makhana Kheer
- Do not grind the roasted Foxnut seeds to a fine powder. Just do them coarsely.
- You can add sugar in place of Condensed milk. Two tablespoons should be enough for the quantity in this recipe.
- This kheer will thicken after cooling, hence don’t worry if its little runny when hot.
- You can add other dry fruits too, such as pistachio
This Makhana Kheer Is
- Gluten-free
- Suitable for consumption in Hindu fast
- Extremely delicious
- Loved by kids and adults too
- Super easy to make with no expertise
Serving suggetion
Serve this makhana kheer, hot or cold, as you wish. Microwave it for a min, or so, if serving hot. Serve this kheer as dessert in the meal.
Recipe Card
Makhane Ke Kheer | Lotus or Foxnut Seeds Pudding
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Foxnut / Lotus seeds / Makhanas
- 1 Teaspoon Ghee / Clarified Butter
- 3 Cup Full Fat Milk
- 1 Tablespoon Condensed Milk
- 10 Cashews Chopped (Optional)
- 10 Almonds Chopped (Optional)
- 1 Tablespoon Chironjee Optional
- 10-12 Raisins Optional
- 3-4 Strands Saffron Optional
- 1/2 Teaspoon Cardamom Powder Optional
Instructions
- Heat the ghee in a pan / kadhai and add the lotus seeds to it. Roast these seeds on a low flame for 2-3 minutes till they turn crisp.
- Switch off the flame and grind them in a grinding jar to a coarse mixture. Keep aside.
- Boil the milk in another pan and let it reduce to a two-third. Add coarsely crushed lotus seeds and all the dry fruits and mix them well.
- Cook this for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the condensed milk, saffron and Cardamom powder and switch off the flame. Mix it well. In case you do not have these, you may skip it. Adding these surely adds to taste.
- Garnish with some chopped dry fruits and serve.
Notes
- You can add any dry-fruits of your choice.
- Do not grind the roasted Foxnut seeds to a fine powder. Just do them coarsely.
- You can add sugar in place of Condensed milk. Two tablespoons should be enough for the quantity in this recipe.
I tried to make this pudding using foxnuts from my Chinese herbal pharmacy and it did not turn out right (it was chalky and gooey). Is it necessary to use the popped foxnuts that are available online? Also, many sites refer to foxnut and lotus seed as if they are the same, and they are not. Foxnut is Euryales ferox, and Lotus seed is Nelumbinis — but for the purpose of this Indian pudding, are they interchangeable? Thank you. I want to try again.
Julie
Hi Julia, you are supposed to use Indian foxnuts only..
Perfect for fasting days…Lovely post !!
Thanks dear.