Janmashtami is an important religious festival for the Hindu community in India and across the world, for it denotes the birth of Lord Krishna. This holy occasion is also referred to as Gokulashtami, Krishna Jayanthi, Krishna Janmashtami and this year it is on August 30, the eighth day of the month of Shravana as per the Hindu lunisolar calendar. Revered by scores of devotees as a universal supreme force and a symbol of kindness, protection, love, the birth of Lord Krishna, in particular, is celebrated as His young incarnation of a mischievous child gobbling up butter and playing the flute.
Also Read: Janmashtami: Treat Your Little Krishna At Home To These Traditional Delicacies
Revelries on Krishna Jayanthi consist of chanting hymns and prayers to seek the Almighty’s blessings, going to temples for performing elaborate holy rituals, decorating homes with kolams/rangolis, as well as regional cultural events such as folk dance and drama performances of Krishna Leela, breaking the Dahi Handi i.e. earthen pot filled with yoghurt/curd by forming a human pyramid. And thanks to the diverse regional cultures across the length and breadth of India, a variety of delectable sweets are prepared on Janmashtami.
Tempting And Nourishing Sweet Recipes For Krishna Jayanthi:
Here we provide two lip-smacking and customary Indian recipes of Mathura Peda from Uttar Pradesh, made with condensed milk, sugar and Vella Aval from Tamil Nadu, prepared using flattened rice and jaggery. Rest assured, these sweets are not only yummy but also nutritious, for a healthy Janmashtami celebration with family.
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Mathura Peda
Ingredients:
2 cups milk
3 tsp ghee
2 cups milk powder
½ cup sugar
1 tsp elaichi/cardamom powder
A pinch of jaiphal/nutmeg powder
Method:
To make the khoa/mawa i.e. thick condensed milk, heat 1 tsp ghee in a large vessel.
Pour 1 ½ cups milk into this along with 2 cups milk powder.
Stir well to ensure that there are no lumps and a thick paste of even consistency is obtained.
Lower the flame and continue to mix well for 10 minutes so that the thickened mass comes apart separately from the bottom of the vessel.
To this khoa/mawa, add 1 – 2 tsp ghee and split it into small bits and cook on low flame until a crumbly brittle texture is attained.
After the khoa becomes very dry, add ¼ cup milk and keep it heated on a medium flame for 30 – 40 minutes till it becomes dark brown in colour.
Turn off the stovetop, allow it to cool for 20 minutes, then blend the broken khoa bits to obtain a coarse powder.
Add ½ cup sugar, 1 tsp cardamom powder, a bit of nutmeg powder and mix properly to ensure the flavours are assimilated.
Add ¼ cup milk and combine it thoroughly so that a soft mixture is formed.
Shape this pliable khoa/mawa into circles and slightly compress them.
Enjoy this mouth-watering Mathura Peda with friends and family for a delightful Janmashtami celebration.
Nutrition:
Milk is an excellent source of calcium and magnesium for strong bones and joints. Packed with healthy short-chain fatty acids, ghee activates digestive enzymes for the smooth breakdown of food particles in the stomach and promotes gut health. Elaichi is imbued with phytonutrients that showcase decongestant properties, for remedying respiratory complaints of cold, runny nose, wheezing and enhancing lung power.
Also Read: Elaichi/Cardamom: Marvellous Health Benefits Of This Aromatic Condiment
Vella Aval
Ingredients:
1 cup aval/flattened rice/beaten rice
1 cup powdered jaggery
½ cup grated coconut
½ tsp elaichi/cardamom powder
5 – 7 cashew nuts
2 tsp ghee
Method:
Wash the aval in cold water, pour out the water entirely and let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
Prepare a thick syrup by boiling jaggery powder in water for about 3 minutes, then switch off the flame.
To this, add aval, elaichi powder, grated coconut and mix well.
In a pan, heat ghee and fry the cashew nuts so that they become golden brown and emanate a pleasing sweet aroma.
Top off the aval with fried cashew nuts and savour this yummy Vella Aval for a happy and healthy Krishna Jayanthi.
Nutrition:
Aval i.e. flattened rice is laden with calories, carbohydrates which supply ample energy for the body’s internal biochemical reactions and external physical activities. Jaggery is a storehouse of iron, which is indispensable for red blood cell synthesis, circulation and preventing the deficiency disorder of anaemia. Having zero cholesterol and being high in potassium, cashew nuts augment cardiac functions for a healthy heart.
Netmeds.com Wishes All Its Customers A Very Happy Janmashtami/Krishna Jayanthi!
