Shahi Panjiri with just Nuts & dry fruit - A Festival Dessert

Mum = Fun. Isn't it ???? Mum makes a huge variety of dishes and desserts for family, is it a rewarding experience??? As a child I always used to think that mom's job is bit monotonous cooking varied dishes to satiate the palate of all family members, making some sweet, some spicy  and some nutty flavors all at once and day after day. Once I tried to step in to the shoes of my mom and the very thought of it made me virtually faint.....so much to cook and bake with perfection and a smile on face. Oh my gosh, i will never ever be able to do it down the line. But somehow you get the patience, techniques and tips of cooking from your moms simply by virtually observing them and now retrospecting, guessing the right recipes. Today after being a mom, I realized the intrinsic satisfaction you get from cooking for your near ones and this panjiri or dry fruit mix is ideal to be savored during fasts, especially navratras. Today we will make a recipe of "Nuts & Dry Fruit Panjiri" by my mom-in-law, it is easy to make, nutritious & simply put loads of "Beauty in a Bowl".

                                            Featured at Foodbuzz Top 9 on 11/09/2011

Beauty in a Bowl, aint it !!!

Ingredients:
Almonds: 1cup
Cashews: 1 cup (sliced into halves)
Golden Raisins: 1/2 cup
Pistachio: 1/4 cup
Shredded Coconut: 1 cup
Green Cardamom: 1 tsp (freshly crushed)
Makhana: handful, optional
Pecans, walnuts: 1/4 cup
Melon Seeds : 2-3 tsp
Sugar: 1 cup
Ghee: 1/4 cup (add as required to quantity)

Method:
Traditionally all the nuts are fried in the ghee one by one.
Alternatively take roasted nuts or make them at home in the oven or microwave.
To do this in a conventional oven, spread the nuts in a shallow tray and drizzle warm ghee over it.
Now bake for 10-15 minutes at 350 degrees F, till they become crunchy and brownish in color.
Gently pound half of the nuts and mix these with sugar, coconut and cardamom powder.
Mix rest of the nuts (not pounded portion) with this mixture and toss thoroughly.
And yess, we are ready !!!!!

Top Shot, makes it look ever Yummier !!!

Easy wasn't it ???
Serve with warm Chai or a glass of warm Milk.
Store the Panjiri Mix in an air tight container and it will last for many weeks.

Lovely Recipe & gorgeous pots !!!

To make Atta (whole wheat flour) Panjiri,  dry roast some whole wheat flour in a shallow pan and add to this mix. You can also make some instant Halwa, by simply adding some hot water to this mix (my mom's tried and tested tip).

This recipe served as a great treat at our festivals in our home last month.

Hope you will give it a try & let me know how you liked it.

Hugs, Sonia.



Related Posts: -
- Kesari or Safforn Panjiri
- Moong Dal Halwa
- Red Carrot halwa