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Dhana ni panjiri
ધાણાની પંજરી: ground coriander roasted in ghee with sugar, coconut and makhana, offered to Krishna on Janmashtami
At midnight on Janmashtami, when Gujarati and Rajasthani families sing to baby Krishna, the prasad handed round is this fragrant panjiri of ground coriander seeds roasted in ghee and mixed with powdered sugar, coconut, makhana and dry fruit. Because it contains no grain, it is also eaten by those who keep the Janmashtami fast. It tastes warm, sweet and surprisingly floral. The common mistake is roasting the coriander powder on high heat; it burns in seconds and turns bitter. Chef's tip: grind the seeds yourself just before roasting, and stop when the kitchen smells like warm citrus, not toast.
- Total time
- 20 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 8
Ingredients
For the panjiri
- 2 ⅛ oz coriander seeds
- 3 tbsp ghee
- 1 oz makhana (fox nuts)
- 1 oz almondsslivered
- ⅔ oz cashewschopped
- 1 ⅜ oz desiccated coconut
- 2 ⅞ oz powdered sugar
- ½ tsp ground cardamom
- 1 tbsp melon seeds (magaj) (optional)
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Grind 2 ⅛ oz coriander seeds to a medium-fine powder and sift out the husk.
3 minStep 2: Heat 1 tbsp of the 3 tbsp ghee in a heavy pan, roast 1 oz makhana (fox nuts) on low heat for 4 minutes until crisp enough to snap, then crush roughly.
4 minStep 4: Add the rest of the ghee and the coriander powder and roast on the lowest heat, stirring all the time, for 3 minutes until fragrant and a shade darker.
3 minStep 5: Stir in 1 ⅜ oz desiccated coconut for 1 minute, then take off the heat and cool for 5 minutes.
1 minStep 6: Mix in 2 ⅞ oz powdered sugar, ½ tsp ground cardamom, the makhana, nuts and 1 tbsp melon seeds (magaj). Serve as prasad; keeps airtight for 2 weeks.
2 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 190 kcal
- Protein
- 4 g
- Carbs
- 17 g
- Fat
- 12 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does dhana ni panjiri take?
- About 20 minutes in total: 8 minutes to prepare and 12 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 8 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of coriander seeds?
- Ground coriander, same amount (add it later in the cooking; it burns faster).
- What can I use instead of ghee?
- Butter, same amount (keep the heat a little lower, butter burns sooner).
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