Phool Makhana Curry is a vegetarian Indian curry made with foxnuts without using onion and garlic. It is a delicious way to include foxnuts in a Navratri or Janmashtmi meal.
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The Foxnut (Lotus Seeds)
The phool makhana is known as lotus seeds or foxnuts. They are produced in India, Korea, and Japan. Today foxnuts are considered an excellent low-calorie, anti-oxidant, gluten-free, vegan superfood.
They are commonly used to make kheer, phirni, munching snacks, curry, and caramel makhana. Regarding Hindu religion festive feasts or fasting recipes, foxnuts are a popular ingredient.
The phool makhana curry is a unique, easy, and delicious Indian curry. Even if you are not fasting, this makhana sabzi adds a great variety to the everyday meal menu. The roasted foxnut and the cashews make it a rich and creamy curry.
Recipe Variations
There are many variations of phool makhana curry. A few of the popular ones are:
- Kaju Makhana Sabzi: This version has a rich, creamy gravy made with cashew paste. Also, you can add ghee-fried cashews to the curry.
- Matar Makhana Sabzi: You can make phool makhana curry in a methi matar malai style with onion and garlic-based sauce.
- Masala Makhana Sabzi: It is a true Punjabi-style curry made in onion and tomato masala with spices.
However, you can substitute paneer with foxnuts in Indian curry recipes.
Watch Makhana Sabzi Video
Serving Suggestion
Serve phool makhana curry with poori or palak puri, kuttu puri, mint raita, and a simple side dish such as khatta meetha kaddu or masala potato fry for a wholesome no onion, no garlic meal.
This kind of sattvic meal combination leaves a delicate trail of flavours in the taste buds and, at the same time, gives you a soul-satisfying experience.
My Tried and True Tips
- The roasting of foxnuts (makhana) in ghee makes them crisp and crunchy. Hence, do not add them without roasting them in the gravy.
- The foxnut absorbs liquid once added to the gravy, making it slightly thick. Hence, adjust the consistency of the gravy accordingly.
- Add cashews and foxnuts a few minutes before serving the phool makhana curry. This way, roasted foxnuts will not become chewy or soggy.
- If you prefer, add ½ teaspoon of homemade garam masala to the makhana curry for the aroma and flavour.
More No Onion No Garlic Recipes
- Paneer Butter Masala
- Pahadi Aloo Gutke
- Masala Potato Fry
- Dahi Potato Curry
- Chana Masala
- Panchmel Dal
- Aloo Ki Sabzi
- Arbi Ki Sabzi
More no onion no garlic recipes for your everyday Indian meal.
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Phool Makhana Curry Recipe
- Heavy Bottom Kadhai
Ingredients
- 2 Cup foxnut (phool makhana/lotus seed)
- 1 Cup tomato, chopped
- 1 green chili
- 1 tablespoon giner, chopped
- 4 tablespoon ghee
- ¼ Cup unsalted cashew
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds (jeera)
- ¼ teaspoon asafoetida (hing)
- Salt to taste
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon red chili powder
- 2 tablespoon cream (malai or fresh cream)
- ¼ Cup water
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh coriander
Instructions
- Combine chopped tomato, green chili, and ginger. Make a smooth puree in the blender using 1 – 2 tablespoons of water. Set aside.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of ghee in a kadhai. Fry the foxnuts (makhana) until crisp. Keep stirring while roasting. Transfer to a plate. In the same kadhai add cashews and fry till they turn light golden in color. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Heat the remaining ghee in the same kadhai. Add cumin seeds and asafoetida. Fry for 10 – 20 seconds. Next, add the tomato masala and fry the masala over low heat. Add the spices, salt, and cook till the oil starts separating from the tomato masala.
- Add the cream and stir to combine nicely. Now add this stage if you like to make little gravy add approximately ¼ Cup of water. Stir to mix and simmer the curry over low heat for 5 – 6 minutes.
- Add the roasted foxnut and cashew, stir to combine nicely. Cook for 2 – 3 minutes. Turn off the heat. Garnish with chopped coriander and cream.
- Serve Phool Makhana Curry with poori.
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