Makar Sankranti and Lohri authentic recipes

Makar sankranti is one of the few ancient Indian festivals that has been observed according to solar cycles,being a festival that celebrates the solar cycle,it almost always falls on the same Gregorian date every year 14 th of January.  The festival  marks the beginning of a six months auspicious period for Hindus known as Uttarayana  period.The festivities associated with makar sankranti are known by various name such as Lohri by North Indian  Hindus and Sikhs,Pedda Pandaga in Andhra Pradesh,Sukarat in central India,MaghBihu by Assamese and Pongal by Tamilians. In Makar sankranti  some region(Gujarat) celebrate with kite flying,festive meal (Khichdi and sesame-juggery sweets,chikkis ).In North India  Lohri is observed the night before Makar sankranti .It is celebrated with a bonfire.Popcorn,peanuts,sesame reori fed to the bonfire during festival,it is very important tradition of Lohri festival.In Makar Sankrati  food made with Sesame seed,peanut,jaggery, dry fruits,corn.Some Authentic recipes are here which is made with sesame seed,peanuts,jaggery…

1-Sesame brittle(chikki) in sesame brittle bowl-crispy,crunchy  flavored with cardamom

2-Sesame jaggery ladoo-dryfruits lodaded sesame jaggery ladoo

3-Sesame mawa saffron flavored ladoo-Rich mawa,saffron flavored soft mouth melting ladoo

4-Sesame mawa rose petal burfi- Rose flavored soft mawa sesame burfi

5-Popcorn-Stove top popcorn,old fashioned natural way

Sesame seed rich calcium,minerals,rich vitamins,antioxidants and also good for winter.

Ingredients-

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For Sesame brittle’s

• Cashew nut,pistachio,rose petals,almond(mix) – 2 tbsp roughly chopped
• Sesame seed-150 gram/1 cup
• Ghee-2 tsp
• Sugar-1 cup
• Cardamom powder-1 tsp

For Sesame mawa ladoo and mawa burfi

• Mawa-1 cup
• Sesame seed-1 cup
• Powder sugar-1 cup
• Cardamom powder-1 tsp
• Cashew nut-1 tbsp chopped
• Pistachio,rose patals-2 tbsp finely chopped
• Saffron-some strands
• Rose water/essance-1 /2 tsp
• Ghee-1 tsp( optional)

For Sesame jaggary ladoo-

• Sesame seed-1 cup
• Jaggery-1 cup
• Cardamom powder-1 tsp
• Cashew nut,almond -2 tbsp finely chopped
• Ghee-1 tsp

Popcorn-1 bowl

• Corn kernel-3 tbsp
• Cooking oil-1 tsp
• Salt-1 pinch(optional)

Method

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Step 1 –In a pan dry roast sesame seed in low flame 2-3 minutes till crispy,light golden brown(do not roast high flame) keep aside.Dry roast all dry fruits and chopped it finely keep aside.

Step2-For Sesame brittle(chikki)-Heat nonstick pan add 1 tsp ghee melt it 3-4 seconds,add sugar and melt sugar in medium flame with continuous stirring it will take 10-12 minutes . When sugar melt completely add cardamom powder and dry fruits,roasted sesame seed, mix it 30-60 seconds and pour mixture into greased rolling board/butter paper  and roll out with rolling pin as possible as thin quickly within 30 seconds.Cool it for 5 minutes,when Chikki little warm cut it  diamond shape and keep in plate(/Give bowl shape and make chikki bowl) .After 1 hour store in airtight container .

Step3-For Sesame  mawa ladoo- Grind roasted sesame seed in mixer grinder  coarsely, keep aside. In pan add mawa and roast 5-7 minutes till light golden brown.Take out mawa in a bowl add powder sugar, roasted sesame seed,cashew nut,cardamom powder,saffron and mix well  divide mixture in two 2 parts.Make ladoo with one part of mixture ,keep aside.In second  part of mixture add pistachio and rose essence,rose petals ,and make burfi(I make it into heart shape) cut it into any shape.

Step4-For Sesame jaggery ladoo-Heat nonstick pan add 1 tsp ghee melt it 3-4 seconds,add sugar and melt sugar in medium flame with continuous stirring it will take 10-12 minutes . When sugar melt completely add cardamom powder and dry fruits, roasted sesame seed mix it 30-60 seconds and pour mixture into another bowl.Make ladoo with mixture keep aside .After 1 hour store in airtight container.

Step5-For stove top popcorn  – Heat  pressure cooker in medium flame add  1 tsp cooking oil ,add corn kernel and salt mix 30 seconds and close cooker(without whistle and sealing ring),.Popping start within 1 minutes and it will popped completely within3-5 minutes.Open cooker cover and collect popcorn in a bowl.

 

HAPPY LOHRI AND MAKAR SANKRANTI