Fox nuts have been identified as superfoods with ample benefits for health. They are lightweight, versatile, and easy to work with in the kitchen. Makhana is considered good for the heart, digestion, and bones. It is a perfect snack to munch between meals to keep your cravings at bay.
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Ahead of Diwali celebrations and the festive season, people often like to indulge in snacking, but it needs to be healthy so that you can avoid feeding your body unhealthy food. Lotus seeds are the right way to go for this. Try the munching delights mentioned below.
Caramelised Makhana
When you saute fox nuts with jaggery, you get a chikki-like snack which is fulfilling and healthy. Before tossing makhana with jaggery, roast the nuts in ghee until they are crispy. Meanwhile, melt the jaggery in another non-stick pan. After the caramelised mixture has hardened a bit, add sesame seeds on top for extra goodness. This is a perfect snack for midnight munching.
Minty Makhana
Makhana mix with mint flavour is a treat for your taste buds. It is a salted snack that you can relish at any time of the day, even in your office. After roasting lotus seeds in ghee, top them with black salt to taste, chaat masala, dried mint powder, and red chilli powder. You can pair it with juice or serve it with tea.
Also Read: 5 Non-Veg Snacks For Diwali Party
Lemon-Cilantro Makhana
Like minty makhana, you can infuse fox nuts with the zingy taste of lemon and freshness from coriander leaves. Once roasted, keep the lotus seeds to cool off a bit. Drizzle lemon juice along with a sprinkle of pink salt, black pepper, and finely chopped cilantro leaves. Toss the ingredients in a large bowl before serving or storing in an airtight jar.
Masala Makhana
If you are referred to as the one who loves spicy food, this snack will leave you amazed. Fox nuts are sauteed with ghee until they are crunchy enough for you to crumble with your hands. Toss them in a bowl with red chilli powder, turmeric, black pepper, cumin powder, and a drizzle of oil. You can store it in an airtight container for weeks.
Makhana Chivda
Chivda is not only made using poha or flattened rice, you can make it using makhana as well. Combine roasted makhana with roasted curry leaves, peanuts, chana dal, dry fruits, green chillies, salt, pepper, and turmeric. It is a namkeen recipe you can try at home and serve guests along with ginger tea.
Peri Peri Makhana
Since you are trying savoury snacks with makhana, you cannot skip tossing the superfood with a spicy peri peri mix. Once you have roasted lotus seeds until their texture is crispy, mix them with salt and peri peri mixture which you have in your pantry. The bold flavours will serve as a treat for taste buds and pair exceptionally well with fruit juices, cocktails, and mocktails. You can keep classic roasted makhana stored in containers and toss them with peri peri whenever you crave this snack.