Have you tried Makhana salad? It tastes good and easy to prepare snack item both for home and for party. Makhana is puffed lotus seed or fox nuts that are rich in protein, fiber, and antioxidants, which support digestion and help fight inflammation. They are naturally low in calories and fat, making them a great snack for weight management and heart health. Their high magnesium and potassium content also supports blood pressure regulation and bone strength.

Ingredients:

1. Makhana (fox nuts/lotus seeds) – 1 cup
2.  Ghee (clarified butter for roasting) – 1 tsp.
3. Cucumber, finely chopped – ½ cup
4. Tomato, finely chopped (remove seeds if too juicy) -1/2 cup
5. Onion, finely chopped (optional)- ¼ cup
6. Carrot, grated or finely chopped -1/4 cup
7. Pomegranate seeds or sweet corn (optional, for crunch & color)- 2 Tbsp.
8.  Fresh coriander or mint leaves, chopped – 1-2 Tbsp
9.  Green chili, finely chopped (optional) – 2-3
10. Roasted peanuts-1/4 cup

Dressing:

1. Juice of lemon – ½ lemon
2. Black salt (or regular salt) -1/2 tsp
3. Roasted cumin powder -1/2 tsp
4. Black pepper -1/2 tsp
5. A pinch of chaat masala (optional, for tang)

Preparation:

1. Roast the makhana: Heat ghee in a pan. Roast the makhana on low flame for 5–7 minutes until they turn crisp. Let them cool.
2. Mix veggies: In a large bowl, add cucumber, tomato, onion, carrot, pomegranate, and herbs.
3. Prepare dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, salt, cumin powder, pepper, and chaat masala.
4. Combine: Just before serving, add roasted makhana to the veggie mix. Pour the dressing over it. Toss well.
5. Serve immediately: Enjoy as light lunch, evening snack, or side dish.

Useful tips:

• Add roasted peanuts or sprouts for extra protein.
• You can also toss makhana with a little peri-peri masala or black pepper while roasting for added flavor.
• Always add makhana at the end to keep them crunchy.
• Sprinkle sev if you like the taste.
• Ghee or clarified butter is best option for roasting Makhana as it enhances its taste.

Image credit: Makhana Image by Thechildrenspost from Pixabay (Free to use under Pixabay content license -published August 24, 2022) : Makhana salad – Image generated by Microsoft Copilot.