Oven roasted spicy makhana

Phool makhana is becoming popular in recent days as a healthy Indian snack. Makhana is nothing but puffed lotus seed.

They are low in calories, high in fiber, high in protein,  rich in antioxidents and very diabetic friendly. 

Now-a-days they are easily availbale in the market. But many of us rarely know how to use it. The recipe given here is a super quick method to make roasted makhana, using your baking oven. 

The advantage of using your oven over pan-frying is, it comes out evenly roasted, So you can make large quantities of these with very minimal effort

Ingredients

200 gm packet phool makhana / puffed lotus seed

For the spice mixture

2 tbs oil + 2 tbs ghee

1/3 ts turmeric powder, ½ ts chilli powder, 1 ts cumin powder, 1 ts coriander powder, 1/3 ts hing, ½ ts chat masala, ½ ts amchur powder, pinch of kitchen king masala (or) any mild garam masala, 1 ts curry leaf powder (or) few fresh curry leaves, 1 ¼ ts salt

Preparation

Preheat your oven in fan-forced conventional mode in 170 0 c (or) regular conventional mode in 190 c. for 10 minutes

While the oven is getting pre-heated, prepare your spice mixture. Take 1/3 ts turmeric powder, ½ ts chilli powder, 1 ts cumin powder, 1 ts coriander powder, 1/3 ts hing, ½ ts chat masala, ½ ts amchur powder, pinch of kitchen king masala (or) any mild garam masala, 1 ts curry leaf powder (or) few fresh curry leaves and 1 ¼ ts salt in a mixing bowl. Mix well. 

This is a perfect spice blend which gives the makhanas just the perfect level of spicy and tangy flavours. So, make sure not to miss any of the mentioned spice ingredients.

Heat 4 tbs oil and 2 tbs ghee in a tempering pan. Add the spice mixture to the hot oil. Switch off flame immediately. Set it aside and mix well.

After the oven is preheated, line a baking tray with foil. Spread the makhanas in the baking tray

Place the tray in middle rack of the oven. Reduce the temperature to 150 c fan forced conventional mode or 170 c regular conventional mode. Roast for 10 minutes, mixing once in the middle. 

After 10 min, take the makhanas out of the oven, add the spice mixture, and mix evenly with your hands.  

Allow it to rest for 5-10 minutes. The super crunchy spicy tangy makhanas are now ready. 

Store them in an airtight container. 

This is our family’s favourite tea-time snack. Do give it a try, and your family will love it too.