One of the most widely celebrated festivals of the Indian subcontinent, Krishna Janmashtami is being celebrated on 18th and 19th August 2022. This pious day marks the birth of Lord Krishna on earth. Since Lord Krishna loved food, Krishna Janmashtami also has a strong association with food, and hence, a lot of prasad varieties are prepared on this day by devotees of Lord Krishna. Krishna followers around the world observe fasts and prepare Janmashtami special delights like dhaniya panjiri, makhan mishri, panchamrit etc to offer Lord Krishna. While all of these are quite common, there's one prasad variation that is quite unique and can be prepared on Janmashtami without any hassle. We're talking about makhana paag.
(Also Read: Janmashtami 2022: Here's A Special Vegetarian Menu For The Festivity)
Janmashtami 2021: Krishna followers around the world observe fasts and prepare Janmashtami special delights
Traditionally prepared on the festive occasion of Janmashtami, makhana paag is prepared using four basic kitchen ingredients that can be spotted in almost all Indian household kitchens - lotus seeds, ghee, coconut and powdered sugar (bhoora). Makhana paag is often a part of the chappan bhog thali, which consists of 56 food items.
Here's How You Can Make Makhana Paag At Home:
Ingredients Required:
Makhana (Lotus Seeds): 40 grams
Ghee: 100 grams
Coconut: 50 grams (grated)
Powdered Sugar (Bhoora): 200 grams
Method:
- To begin with, cut the makhanas into halves with the help of a knife and keep them aside in a bowl.
- Then, take a pan and preheat it for a few seconds. Once the pan is sufficiently hot, add ghee to it and allow it to melt.
- Now, add the halved makhana bits inside the pan and fry them till they turn slightly brown in hue. Keep stirring the makhanas and ensure that the flame is on medium so that they don't turn extra dark or burn.
- Take out the fried makhanas in a wide bowl and allow them to cool down for a while.
- Meanwhile, prepare the chashni (sugar syrup) for the paag by adding powdered sugar in a pan along with water. Cook till the sugar granules (if any) completely melt and the mixture attains one-string consistency.
- Once the sugar syrup is prepared, add the fried makhanas along with grated coconut in the pan and give the mixture a nice stir so that all the makhana bits get evenly coated. Wait for the mixture to cool; transfer onto a plate and allow it to set. Your makhana paag prasad is ready.
So, try this easy recipe at home and make your Janmashtami celebrations even more blissful.