Panjiri (Prasad for Indian Pooja)

Panjiri is one of the Prasad (food offered to Gods and then distributed between the devotees) items which is prepared for Pooja (the Indian prayer sessions),Havan as well as on auspicious days.It is constituted of whole wheat flour and sugar and one of the tastiest items to have in life!It is also made for pregnant and lactating mothers as the ingredients are beneficial for both mother and child!

Panjiri is made on Poojas like Satyanarayan Katha,Shanti Havan,Janamashtami,Navratri,kids’ birthdays,Dussehra and for Trayodashi fasts and other events in the Indian Lunar Calendar!

Panjiri offered to Lord Vishnu on Satyanarayan Katha…

Let us make it here :

Preparation Time : 30 minutes

Makes : 350 gms Panjiri

INGREDIENTS

200 gms coarse whole wheat flour (Atta) – You can use fine wheat flour as well

50 gms ghee plus 2 tbsp extra

150 gms powdered sugar

2 tsp Cardamom Powder (Elaichi)

15 Foxnuts/Lotus Seeds (Makhana) – snipped into 4 pieces

METHOD

Put the sugar and cardamom powder in a spice grinder and pulse to mix.Keep aside.

Sieve flour and heat ghee.Add the flour and stir over low-medium heat till the flour is roasted to a golden brown and emits a beautiful aroma!This would take roughly 15 minutes.Take off heat and cool to room temperature.

While the flour is cooling,heat 2 tbsp ghee and fry the Makhana pieces till crisp.Cool to room temperature.

After the flour is cool,mix in the prepared and powdered sugar and cardamom 2 tbsp at a time.Mix well so that both the ingredients are nicely amalgamated.Add the fried Makhana and mix well.

Offer to the Almighty as Prasad and store in airtight containers.Yes it disappears fast so make plenty!