दादी के हाथों की Special Recipe - पंजीरी | Winter Recipes
 

Introduction to Panjiri

Indulge in the richness of Panjiri, a traditional Indian sweet known for its nourishing properties and delectable taste. Made with a blend of wholesome ingredients like dry fruits, flour, sugar, and ghee, Panjiri offers not just a sweet treat but also serves as an energy-boosting delight. Let’s explore this beloved sweet and its diverse benefits in Indian households.

 

Crafting Panjiri

Panjiri, deeply rooted in Indian culinary traditions, involves slow-cooking ingredients like wheat flour, dry fruits, and aromatic spices like cardamom and nutmeg, resulting in a decadent sweet treat. This beloved dish is often associated with festivals, new mothers, and as a winter comfort food, owing to its warming properties.

 

Panjiri Trivia

Did you know Panjiri is often considered a 'tonic' in Indian households, especially for lactating mothers? It's renowned for its potential to boost energy, aid in postpartum recovery, and provide nourishment.

 

 

Servings: 9-10

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 560 calories per portion

 

Ingredients:

• ⅔ cup Ghee
• ½ cup Walnuts
• ½ cup Almonds
• ½ cup Cashew nuts
• ¼ cup Pista
• 2 tbsp Alsi / Flax seeds
• ¼ cup Melon seeds
• 2 cups Makhana
• ¼ cup Kharik
• ¼ cup Raisins
• ½ cup Desiccated coconut
• 1 cup Suji
• 1 tsp Green cardamom powder
• 1 tbsp Dry ginger powder
• 1 cup Jaggery
• Water as required
• Parchment paper

 

Method:

1. Heat a pan and add a generous amount of ghee. Add gondh (edible gum) and sauté until it puffs up, becoming light and crispy. Transfer the gondh to a mixer jar and crush it into a coarse texture. Set it aside.

2. In the same pan, add more ghee and toast walnuts, almonds, cashew nuts, pista, alsi (flaxseeds), and melon seeds. Add makhana (fox nuts) and toast them with the nuts. Once toasted, set the mixture aside.

3. Heat the pan again with ghee. Add kharik (dried dates) and raisins, cooking until they become tender. Combine this mixture with the previously toasted nuts.

4. Grind the toasted nuts mixture and the reserved crushed gondh in a mixer jar into a coarse powder, ensuring a balanced blend of flavors and textures.

5. In a pan, roast desiccated coconut in ghee until it turns light golden brown. Transfer it to a plate to cool.

6. In the same pan, add more ghee and roast suji (semolina) until it achieves a light golden brown color. Transfer it to a plate and let it cool.

7. Combine all the prepared ingredients in a bowl, adding green cardamom powder and dry ginger powder for aromatic flavor.

8. For the jaggery syrup, heat ghee in a pan, add jaggery, and a bit of water to make a rich, sweet syrup.

9. Add the toasted nuts to the Panjiri mixture, incorporating the jaggery syrup to bind the ingredients together. Mix thoroughly for an even distribution of flavors.

10. Panjiri is now ready to be served, offering a wholesome and flavorful treat. Store it in an airtight glass jar to maintain its freshness.

 

For Panjiri Bars:

1. Take a portion of the Panjiri mixture in a bowl, add the toasted dry fruit mixture (excluding makhana), and blend them together.
2. Introduce jaggery syrup to bind the mixture, creating a cohesive texture.
3. Place parchment paper on a flat surface, shape the Panjiri mixture into a bar, wrap it with the parchment paper, and refrigerate for 10-15 minutes until it solidifies.

Panjiri Bars are ready to be enjoyed, offering a convenient and delectable twist to the traditional Panjiri recipe.

 

Overview and Conclusion

Savor the delightful flavors and nourishment that Panjiri brings to the table. Its nutritional richness and aromatic taste make it an all-time favorite, loved by all generations.

To explore more traditional Indian sweets and recipes, delve into renowned cookbooks or visit authentic Indian sweet shops to experience the diverse and flavorful world of Indian cuisine.

 

Exploring More Recipes

Expand your culinary horizons with a multitude of traditional and modern Indian recipes available in various cookbooks and on online cooking platforms. Dive into the world of spices, aromas, and flavors that define Indian gastronomy.

 

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. What exactly is Panjiri? Panjiri is a traditional Indian sweet made primarily with whole wheat flour, ghee, sugar, and a blend of dry fruits and spices.

2. What are the key benefits of consuming Panjiri? Panjiri is considered a nutritious delicacy; it’s believed to provide energy, aid in postpartum recovery, and boost overall health due to its rich ingredients.

3. Can Panjiri be consumed during specific seasons? While it's enjoyed year-round, Panjiri is particularly favored during winters for its warming properties and during lactation to aid milk production.

4. How is Panjiri beneficial for lactating mothers? Panjiri is packed with essential nutrients that help in postpartum recovery and may aid in enhancing milk production, making it a popular choice for new mothers.

5. Is Panjiri a high-calorie sweet? Yes, Panjiri is a calorie-dense sweet due to the presence of ghee, sugar, and dry fruits, making it an energy-rich delicacy.

6. Can Panjiri be consumed by children? Panjiri is often introduced to children due to its nutrient-rich nature, but moderation is key considering its high-calorie content.

7. What variations can be added to Panjiri for a unique taste? Some variations include adding desiccated coconut, poppy seeds, or nuts like almonds, pistachios, or cashews for added flavor and texture.

8. Is homemade Panjiri better than store-bought? Homemade Panjiri offers control over ingredients, ensuring quality and freshness, but store-bought versions are convenient options for those with time constraints.

9. Can Panjiri be consumed by individuals with diabetes? Individuals with diabetes should consume Panjiri in moderation due to its sugar content, consulting a healthcare professional before including it in their diet.

10. Can Panjiri be made in advance and stored? Yes, Panjiri can be stored in an airtight container for several weeks in a cool, dry place, maintaining its freshness and flavors.

11. Are there regional variations of Panjiri? Yes, different regions in India have their own versions of Panjiri, incorporating local ingredients and flavor profiles, adding diversity to the dish.

12. Is Panjiri an integral part of Indian festivals? Yes, Panjiri is often prepared during festivals like Diwali or offered as prasad during religious ceremonies due to its auspicious associations.

13. Can Panjiri be consumed by individuals looking to gain weight? Panjiri, being calorie-dense, can aid in weight gain if consumed in larger quantities, making it suitable for those aiming to gain weight healthily.

14. Is there a vegan version of Panjiri available? A vegan adaptation of Panjiri can be made by using plant-based oils instead of ghee and replacing dairy-derived ingredients with suitable alternatives.

15. Is Panjiri easily available in Indian sweet shops? Yes, Panjiri is commonly available in Indian sweet shops, both as a standalone sweet and as a part of assorted sweet boxes.