Willing to Swap Pop Corns with Makhana (Foxnut)?

Does this thought ever crossed your mind: watching a movie with Roasted Makhanas rather than Pop corns?

Well, for me its long time that I had swapped pop corns with makhanas. Not because pop corns are not healthy but more so because they are overloaded with Butter/Fat, Salt, Sugar to make them tastier and the binging lasts longer than ever expected. If we can make healthy pop corns and can have them in controlled portion, they are high in fibre and nutrients like vitamin b3, zinc, iron etc. The packed ones to be made in oven are known to be harmful again as they are high in sugar and fat (that too saturated fat).

I made a safe choice with Makhana also called lotus seeds or foxnut or phool makhana. These seeds are grown in Bihar in India and are used to make several Indian dishes like Makhana Kheer, Navratan Korma (Makhana and other dry fruits vegetable dish), or simple roasted in ghee.

From nutrition perspective, its rich in iron, magnesium, calcium, proteins and carbohydrates. A low calorie gluten-free food with low sodium and low cholesterol makes it an ideal choice for weight-losers. Being high in calcium, they are good for bones specially for growing kids. Also they control Blood pressure and the overall digestive health. 100 gms of dry roasted Makhanas have around 350 calories. I had them first time when my mother-in-law made Makhana Kheer on the occasion of Navratri as I was on a fast. Years Later, I made roasted Makahanas in Desi Ghee and they were superb. Just take 2 teaspoon of desi ghee. Warm it and add Makhana (1 cup) and saute on simmer till they absorb ghee and become light brown. once they leave ghee and dont stick to pan. Take them in a bowl, sprinkle Salt (Kala Namak) and black pepper. Those on fast, can add sugar instead of salt. Cook till water of sugar is absorbed. They would be more crunchier.

Are you getting a hunger pang ? I am getting one and I am heading to have my bowl of Roasted Makhanas.

Share your experience with me..