What is Gur Makhana?
To break down the name, Gur is Jaggery and Makhana also known as Phool Makhana is Lotus Stem seeds. Phool Makhana is also known as Fox Nuts. It looks like popcorn and when toasted it also tastes like popcorn. You can add any flavor you like and turn it into a healthy snack for kids and grown ups. Gur Makhana tastes very similar to caramelized popcorn, and kids absolutely love these. You can use these seeds to prepare healthy snack like Chivda and also add in sweets to make Makhane ki Kheer.
Ingredients needed:
Phool Makhana - These fox nuts or lotus stem seeds are easily available in Indian store. These days, you can even find it in online stores. Link to shop! Jaggery - Jaggery is used a lot in Indian food, and we often use it as a sweetener, as jaggery is more nutritious than refined sugar. You can use sugar, white or brown as a substitute here, but the flavor you get from jaggery is what makes this gur makhana so delicious. Sesame seeds - Sesame seeds are optional here, but often a tad bit is added along with makhana for extra flavorful bite in between. I do have to say that the jaggery powder gave a very dark caramel color as compared to what I get from using a regular block of jaggery. Ghee - You need a very tiny amount of ghee to make this snack. It helps to add that shine to the melted jaggery. If it not a mandate and you can discard. Homemade ghee is always better to use. The exact measurement is mentioned in recipe card below.
Steps to prepare Gur Makhana
- In a non stick pan, dry roast the makhana in medium low heat for about 5 minutes. You will know it’s ready, when it tastes crunchy, and you can crush the seeds with snap and it should crumble easily.
- Next, you melt the jaggery again in low heat by stirring constantly for about 5 minutes.
- Add 2 tablespoons ghee and mix it around. It will make the melted jaggery look shiny.
- Switch off the heat and add the roasted makhana along with the roasted the sesame seeds. Toss it around and make sure all the seeds are coated in the jaggery.
- It will look like a lump and it’s fine. Just drop everything on a greased plate or a baking mat or parchment paper. Leave aside for it to cool down.
- Once it cools down completely, you can snap it easily and take the seeds apart.
Recipe Video
How to store these Gur Makhana
Once it’s cooled completely to room temperature, store in an airtight jar, and you can keep the jar at room temperature away from direct sunlight. It stays fresh and crunchy for several weeks. If the weather in your area is humid, then I would suggest you store the airtight jar in the fridge.
Points to keep in mind
Although the treat is very easy to prepare with just three ingredients, you have to remember few key points while preparing Gur Makhana. Just like all other Indian treats made with jaggery a special Sankranti treat, so is Gur Makhana. Here are few more dishes you can try this Sankranti: Chitoi Pitha Till Chikki Khejur Gurer Payesh Patishapta Nolen Gur Rasgulla Chanar sondesh/ Chenar sondesh
