Makhana / Phool Makhana / Foxnut / Lotus Seeds are a healthy and popular snack. Only recently I had come to know about their benefits and picked a packed of Makhan seeds which I found in the super store. It is said that the Chinese consume them as a health food as they have many many healthy components like iron, zinc, calcium, protein, magnesium and so on. Lotus seeds has an astringent, it helps relieve diarrhoea and improve appetite. But you have not tried them and wonder how they taste? they are tasteless and without dry roasting them they are like stale popcorn. So make sure you dry roast them before preparing any recipe out of it. They depend on flavours from other ingredients so do them a flavour and season them well ;-). Once they are roasted and season they are like cheese pops with that airy crunchy texture that is soft and light to chew.
Masala Makhana / Roasted Makhana is a great spiced snack to go along with your evening tea, they are considered to be way healthy than popcorn (their counterpart). So grab a packet of these makhana and make this spicy healthy snack for your evening tea. You can do a big batch and store in an air tight container.
Recipe Source - Own
Serves - 2-3 generously
Serving suggestion - as a mid-day or evening snack along with a cup of piping hot tea/coffee
Ingredients
Makhana/ lotus seeds - 2 cups
Oil - 2 tsp
Paprika - 2 tsp (Adjust according to spice level)
Hing - to taste
Turmeric - 1/3 tsp
Method
1. In a wide pan heat oil (medium flame) add the makhana/ lotus seeds and dry roast for 4-5 minutes until they turn crisp, you can taste to check
2. add all the spices - paprika, hing, turmeric, garlic powder, salt and mix well, further dry roast for 2 minutes to combine well
Serve in a big bowl and enjoy along with your favourite drink
Cooks Wisdom
Tip 1
Dry roasting is important else the lotus seeds/ makhana will remain stale
Tip 2
You can oven roast them too mixing all the ingredients along with makhana in a bowl and lining in a foiled tray, bake in a pre-heated oven at 150 C for 4-5 minutes
Tip 3
Once done let them cool a bit and serve, store the test in an air-tight container to enjoy later
Tip 4
You can mix and match the seasoning according to your taste and liking