
Makhana and Dry Fruit Kheer
EVENT: BLOGGING MARATHON #89 WEEK 2 DAY 1
THEME: MAKE ONE TYPE OF INDIAN SWEET
For the #89th BM theme I chose make one type of Indian Sweet as I specifically had one famous and easy Indian sweet in mind, and that is kheer. I want to show that any type of kheer can be made into a sugar less option too. I personally don’t like the taste of any artificial sweeteners. However hubby loves his stevia. When I made the kheer, I added sugar at the last stage. I removed a portion for hubby, added stevia and to mine I added sugar. Also one is able to control the amount of sugar according to their taste. Don’t want to add sugar then add palm jaggery, normal jaggery, coconut sugar etc.
What is kheer? Its known by different names kheer,khiru, payasam, phirni, payesh, kiru, khiri, depending on the region. However, basically its the same, a milk based sweet dish. Perhaps the word kheer comes from the Sanskrit word Ksheer which means milk or from the word payasa which too means milk. Its also known as pudding in the western world.
While the most famous kheer we all know of,either made using rice or vermicelli, there are so many varieties. Kheer can be made from vegetables like pumpkin, carrots, sweet potatoes etc, from fruits, from nuts, dried fruits, grains or lentils like broken wheat, moong dal, chana dal, rice, millets etc. The options are endless.
Usually full fat milk is simmered till it becomes thick. Sometimes grated mawa (milk solids), condensed milk, milk powder, cream or coconut cream are added to make it thicker. While traditional kheer recipes called for jaggery modern day kheer use honey, maple syrup, refined sugars, other natural sweeteners etc.
Kheer can be served hot or cold. Hot kheer is usually served as part of a main meal with some roti or puri. Cold kheer is usually enjoyed as dessert after a meal.
For the next three days I will be sharing with you different types of kheer. My first day kheer is made using makhana (fox nut) and dried fruits. Easy and quick to make, it makes such a filling and satisfying dessert.
What are makhanas? Known as lotus seeds, fox nuts, gorgan nuts, phool makhana, euryale fox are not nuts at all but seeds. These seeds are used widely in India as a healthy snack (roasted in ghee or oil), added to curries and also made into sweet dishes like kheer.
Eid is just round the corner so go on try a different kind of kheer instead of the usual seviyan.
MAKHANA AND DRIED FRUIT KHEER
Serves 4
1½ cups makhana (foxnut)
2½ cups fulll fat milk
1 tbsp ghee
2 tbsp sugar
12-15 almonds
1 tbsp golden raisins
2- 3 dried figs, finely chopped
4 dates, pitted and chopped
½ tsp cardamom powder
4 tbsp fresh cream
For garnish:
Save some chopped dried fruit and raisins
Save some roasted makhana
finely chopped nuts
- Soak the almonds in some hot water for 15-20 minutes. Drain out the water and peel the almonds.
- Heat ghee in a pan over medium heat. Add the makhana (fox nuts) and almonds and roast till the fox nuts become crunchy. Stir the nuts constantly.
- Remove the almonds and fox nuts from the pan. Let them cool down a bit.
- Save a few roasted fox nuts, store in an airtight container till required.
- Add the rest of the fox nuts and almonds into a food processor. Process till you get a coarse powder.
- Add milk and the ground nut powder to the pan. Mix well. Put the pan over medium heat. Stirring frequently, bring the milk to a boil.
- Lower the heat and let it simmer till it becomes thick. Remember to stir it frequently. This will take about 7-10 minutes.
- Add cardamom powder, cream, sugar and the dried fruits. Simmer for another 3-5 minutes.
- Just before serving add chopped nuts and the roasted makhana.
- You can serve this kheer hot or cold.
Tips:
- Add dried fruits of your choice.
- I took out a portion of the kheer at step 8 before adding sugar for my hubby. Added stevia to it.
- This kheer does become quite thick. Add more milk if you want before serving.
A little note:
If you do try this recipe then please either
- add a comment below,
- send a picture to my email mayuri.ajay.patel62@gmail.com
- tag me as #mayuri_jikoni on Instagram
- or tag me on Twitter as #Mayuri1962
You may want to check out the following kheer recipes:




Sending this recipe to the following event:
52 Comments
Varada
June 10, 2018 at 11:01 pm
The dry fruits with the makhana sound like an awesome combination. The presentation in tea cups is very unique.
mayurisjikoni
June 11, 2018 at 12:26 pm
Thank you so much Varada.
Renu
June 10, 2018 at 11:57 pm
Delicious and healthy kheer. Lovely texture. This is one kheer which is made frequently by my mom. Loved your serving set.
mayurisjikoni
June 11, 2018 at 12:25 pm
Thank you so much Renu. I made it for the first time and loved it. The set is a gift from a very dear friend.
Nayna Kanabar
June 11, 2018 at 1:16 am
Makhana kheer looks so beautiful and delectable. I am also in love with your crockery. It’s gorgeous.
mayurisjikoni
June 11, 2018 at 12:24 pm
Thank you Nayna. Its quite old and was given to my hubby and me by a very dear friend who passed on last year. Its our treasure.
Shobha Keshwani
June 11, 2018 at 12:29 pm
The makhana kheer looks awesome. I like the presentation too.
mayurisjikoni
June 11, 2018 at 9:44 pm
Thank you so much Shobha.
Rafeeda – The Big Sweet Tooth
June 11, 2018 at 12:31 pm
The kheer looks amazing… I had tried makhana kheer once but it didn’t thicken. I will try with almonds like you suggested. Even I don’t like artificial sweetners, but now slowly getting used to stevia, though I feel at times it is just too sweet to my liking!
mayurisjikoni
June 11, 2018 at 9:43 pm
Thanks Rafeeda. The thickeners are the ground nuts and makhana.
Srivalli Jetti
June 11, 2018 at 2:30 pm
Oh gosh that kheer is so sinful!..lovely setup and I enjoyed reading your intro. Such useful insight for folks who don’t know what Kheer is, very nicely done!
mayurisjikoni
June 11, 2018 at 9:41 pm
Thank you so much Srivalli.
Kalyani
June 11, 2018 at 6:44 pm
Rich creamy kheer served in royal ceramic ware! Looks very inviting and the colours r gorgeous ; so do you use stevia extract or the leave, Mayuri ? I am told you need just a drop of stevia to sweeten a bowl of food
mayurisjikoni
June 11, 2018 at 9:37 pm
Thanks Kalyani, and hubby gets the powdered form of stevia, so its about 1 sachet though I find that too sweet.
Priya Suresh
June 11, 2018 at 8:23 pm
Its been a while i prepared kheer with makhana, you are tempting me again to dish out some.. Lovely crockery and beautiful sweet there.
mayurisjikoni
June 11, 2018 at 9:35 pm
Thank you so much Priya.
Sandhya
June 11, 2018 at 11:00 pm
Love the kheer and the presentation Mayuri! What a royal treat this is!
mayurisjikoni
June 12, 2018 at 12:13 am
Thank you so much Sandhya.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan
June 13, 2018 at 8:25 am
What a beautiful presentation and love the props you have used. The kheer looks so delicious. I have not tried makhana in kheer and would live try some.
mayurisjikoni
June 13, 2018 at 9:47 pm
Thank you Sandhya. As such makhana has no taste but the texture of the kheer is so creamy because of it.
Poonam Bachhav
June 13, 2018 at 4:29 pm
I make makhana kheer for Janmashtami as Prasad and love to have it as fasting food ..lovely share di..bea beautiful presentation too !
mayurisjikoni
June 13, 2018 at 9:43 pm
Thank you so much Poonam.
Freda @ Aromatic essence
June 13, 2018 at 11:27 pm
Delicious looking kheer, love the way you have presented it 🙂 Looks beautiful!
mayurisjikoni
June 14, 2018 at 10:06 am
Thank you so much Freda.
theyellowdaal
June 14, 2018 at 6:15 am
I was really thinking of making makhana kheer this weekend. Your kheer looks really delicious.😍
mayurisjikoni
June 14, 2018 at 10:04 am
Thanks Avin.
Harini
June 14, 2018 at 6:20 am
Beautiful setup for the gorgeous kheer. We also love makhana in all forms and this kheer is a welcome addition.
mayurisjikoni
June 14, 2018 at 10:04 am
Thank you Harini.
gayathriraani
June 14, 2018 at 6:23 am
That is a festive looking kheer Mayuri. Makhana in kheer is new to me, with all those dried fruits and nuts, it looks so yumm..
mayurisjikoni
June 14, 2018 at 10:03 am
Thanks Gayathri, makhana kheer is a very North Indian kheer.
jayashreetrao
June 14, 2018 at 1:40 pm
The makhana kheer looks delicious and royal. Should try this sometime.
mayurisjikoni
June 14, 2018 at 9:50 pm
Thanks Jayashree
Priya Satheesh
June 14, 2018 at 4:39 pm
Kheer looks amazing. I have never tried using Makhana.. Should try soon !
mayurisjikoni
June 14, 2018 at 9:50 pm
Thanks Priya.
Meghna Chatterjee
June 15, 2018 at 4:54 am
I love makhana and kheer is my fav. …this recipe rocks..will try soon, thanks:)
mayurisjikoni
June 15, 2018 at 8:24 pm
Thank you so Meghna.
Seema Doraiswamy Sriram
June 15, 2018 at 9:06 am
Desserts which make a lot of sense are the ones like this… love it
mayurisjikoni
June 15, 2018 at 8:22 pm
Thank you so much Seema.
Annapurnaz
June 15, 2018 at 3:07 pm
This makhana kheer must be quite delicious and your fabulous pics have made it even more alluring.
mayurisjikoni
June 15, 2018 at 8:17 pm
Thank you so much Ritu.
cookingwithsapana
June 19, 2018 at 10:50 am
I always make makhana kheer but adding dry fruits is something I never did. Sounds like a healthy and tasty ideea to add them in the kheer.
mayurisjikoni
June 19, 2018 at 11:31 pm
Thanks Sapana, adding dry fruits makes it healthy. Try it.
Simply Tadka
June 19, 2018 at 12:45 pm
Looks so royal and rich creamy kheer.. love makhanas in kheer.
mayurisjikoni
June 19, 2018 at 11:30 pm
Thank you Preeti.
Chef Mireille
June 23, 2018 at 5:34 am
i’ve made kheer before with lotus seed but I love the addition of all the dry fruits
mayurisjikoni
June 23, 2018 at 6:11 am
Thanks Mireille.
Suja Ram
June 27, 2018 at 1:41 pm
Irresistible combo I guess Mayuri!! And, im falling in love with that crockery set! Looks so elegant. Beautiful presentation and pics
mayurisjikoni
June 27, 2018 at 2:13 pm
Thank you so much.
Padmajha PJ
June 28, 2018 at 7:50 pm
Love your crockery a! I am now at loss-should i admire your kheer or your crockery! Both look awesome. I make makhana kheer and next time I will try your version.
mayurisjikoni
June 29, 2018 at 7:52 pm
Thanks Padmajha..the crockery was a gift from a very dear friend.
Batter Up With Sujata
August 25, 2018 at 5:03 am
Makhana and dry fruit kheer sounds lip-smacking. A perfect treat for fasting days. I am sure loads of dry fruits and cardamom flavour made the dish superbly delicious. Excellent share.
mayurisjikoni
August 25, 2018 at 6:39 pm
Thank you so much Sujata.