Panjiri is one of the Prasad (food offered to Gods and then distributed between the devotees) items that are prepared for Pooja (the Indian prayer sessions), Havan, as well as on auspicious days. It is constituted of whole wheat flour and sugar and is one of the tastiest items to have in life! It is also made for pregnant and lactating mothers as the ingredients benefit 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!
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Makes : 350 gms Panjiri
Ingredients for Panjiri
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 four pieces
Some dry fruits (optional)
Preparation of Panjiri
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 the 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 ingredients are nicely blended. Add the fried Makhana and mix well.
Optionally, you can also roast some dry fruits like cashew, Almonds and Pistachios and add to the Panjiri.
Offer to the Almighty as Prasad and store in airtight containers. Yes, it disappears fast, so make plenty!
