Khirapat (Prasad on Ganesh Chaturthi)

OM GANESHAYA NAMAH!

Lord Ganesh or the Elephant God in India is one of the most revered among all the Gods as His name is chanted at the start os anything new,auspicious or before tests and exams!There is a festival dedicated entirely to Him in the State of Maharashtra called Ganesh Chaturthi where there are 11 days of worshipping the Almighty Lord with flowers,fruits,Modak,other tasty fried treats and Prasad – which is offered to Him and distributed among all devotees present!The Maharashtrians use Coconut and dry fruits extensively in their cuisine (owing to Maharashtra being a coastal State) and have come up with delicious treats which they proudly declare as their own.One of them is Khirapat which is a Prasad (offering) made exclusively for Ganesh Chaturthi!

There are 2 kinds of Prasad distributed together – One is Panchakhadya which makes use of 5 (or Paanch) important ingredients.I will be posting Panchakhadya on Ganesh Chaturthi later this year at the time of the festival!Khirapat is the second Prasad and both of them make extensive use of Coconut to prepare.

This Prasad can also be made on Thursdays (the official worshipping day of the Lord) and had with great happiness.It is so delicious as well that you cannot stop at one helping!

Points for success :

This is usually made with the dry Coconut available in the market.This is done exclusively for the Prasad to last a long time!However if you want to make it with fresh Coconut,dry roast the fresh Coconut on very low heat till completely dry and then follow the recipe below.

Use powdered sugar and cardamom powder for best results.In case you do not have both then Mix 3 tsp sugar and 2 Cardamom Pods and powder together in a dry grinder.

You can add more dry fruits if you want.

Some people also add roasted Poppy Seeds (Posto).You can add them as well or prepare as is!I wanted to savour the taste of sweetened Coconut and so did not add Poppy Seeds.

This recipe was submitted for the 144th FoodieMondayBloghop where the theme was Maharashtra Cuisine!

Preparation Time : 15 minutes

Makes : 5 – 6 servings of 1 tbsp each

INGREDIENTS

3 tbsp dry Coconut (grated) – see tip above

2 tsp powdered sugar

1 1/2 tsp broken Cashews/as required

1 1/2 tsp broken Almonds/as required

1 1/2 tsp broken Raisins/as required

1/4 tsp Cardamom Powder (Elaichi)

METHOD

In a pan,add the Coconut gratings with the sugar powder and toss on low heat for 5 – 6 minutes till the sugar starts getting warm and clings to the Coconut making it deliciously sweet.Take off heat and cool to room temperature.

Add Cardamom powder,nuts and Raisins and mix well.

Store in airtight containers.Offer to the Lord of Wisdom and distribute it to everyone!

OM GANESHAYA NAMAH!