10 Delicious Recipes for Makar Sankranti
10 Delicious Recipes for Makar Sankranti
The harvest season is nearly upon us and with it, the festive cheer of Makar Sankranti. And it is a special festival indeed! The skies are a canvas decorated with gorgeous kites while plates are filled with delicious food and special Makar Sankranti dishes. This joyous occasion marks the transition of the sun into the Makara (Capricorn) zodiac sign, signifying the end of winter and the arrival of longer, warmer days.
While Indian festivals are generally known for featuring delicious food, Makar Sankranti is especially symbolized by food, with each region boasting its own unique culinary traditions. Let’s explore some of the most popular dishes enjoyed during Makar Sankranti:
1. Til Ke Ladoo
- Ingredients:
- Roasted sesame seeds (til)
- Jaggery
- Nutralite Doodhshakti Pure Ghee
- Dry fruits (optional)
These iconic Sankranti sweets are a cornerstone of Makar Sankranti celebrations. Crafted with roasted sesame seeds, jaggery, and often studded with dry fruits like cashews and almonds, til ladoos offer a delightful blend of flavors and textures. The sesame seeds, rich in antioxidants, are believed to provide warmth and energy during the colder months. When it comes to Makar Sankranti special food, nothing else comes to mind more than Til ke Ladoos! In Maharashtra, they say til gul ghya, god god bola (Eat til gul and speak sweetly)
2. Gajak (Sesame Seed Brittle)
- Ingredients:
- Sesame seeds
- Jaggery
- Nutralite Doodhshakti Pure Ghee
Gajak, a quintessential Makar Sankranti treat, is a brittle sweet made with sesame seeds and jaggery. The sesame seeds are carefully roasted in pure ghee, enhancing their nutty aroma and creating a delightful crunch. This traditional sweet is not only delicious but also believed to provide warmth and energy during the winter months.
3. Pinni (Wheat Flour Sweet)
- Ingredients:
- Whole wheat flour
- Jaggery
- Nutralite Doodhshakti Pure Ghee
- Dry fruits (optional)
This Punjabi delicacy is a must-have during Makar Sankranti and one of the most unique festival food ideas. Made with whole wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee, pinni is a wholesome and energizing sweet. The addition of Nutralite Doodhshakti Pure Ghee adds a richness and depth of flavor, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience. Pinni is traditionally enjoyed as a winter warmer and is often shared with loved ones, fostering a sense of community.
4. Puran Poli (Sweet Flatbread)
- Ingredients:
- Wheat flour
- Chana dal (split chickpeas)
- Jaggery
- Nutralite Doodhshakti Pure Ghee
Puran Poli is a beloved Maharashtrian sweet flatbread filled with a sweet lentil mixture (puran) made with chana dal, jaggery, and cardamom. In a typical Makar Sankranti recipe for puran polis, ghee is used to cook the lentils and roast the flatbreads, ensuring they are soft and flavorful.
5. Undhiyu (Mixed Vegetable Curry)
- Ingredients:
- Mixed winter vegetables
- Spices (turmeric, cumin, coriander, red chili powder)
- Nutralite Doodhshakti Pure Ghee
This unique Gujarati winter delicacy is a labor of love. It features a medley of seasonal vegetables like potatoes, yams, purple and green beans, and fenugreek leaves, all slow-cooked together in an earthen pot. Nutralite Doodhskati Pure Ghee is often used to temper the spices and enhance the flavors of the vegetables, creating a rich and aromatic curry. It’s also one of the most popular Sankranti dishes in the region.
6. Sweet Pongal (Rice Pudding)
- Ingredients:
- Rice
- Jaggery
- Milk
- Nutralite Doodhshakti Pure Ghee
- Spices (mustard seeds, cumin seeds, curry leaves)
This South Indian delicacy is a festive favorite especially as a Makar Sankranti dish! Made with rice, jaggery, and milk, sweet pongal is a creamy and flavorful dish. Nutralite Doodhskati Pure Ghee is often tempered with spices like mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and curry leaves, adding a layer of richness and aroma to the dish.
7. Til Chikki (Sesame Seed Brittle)
- Ingredients:
- Sesame seeds
- Jaggery
- Nutralite Doodhshakti Pure Ghee
Similar to Gajak, Til Chikki is another popular sweet made with sesame seeds and jaggery. The sesame seeds are roasted in pure ghee, bringing out their nutty aroma and enhancing the overall flavor of the brittle. As you can see, Til is a common ingredient in Makar Sankranti’s special recipes.
8. Besan ke Ladoo (Gram Flour Balls)
- Ingredients:
- Besan (gram flour)
- Sugar
- Nutralite Doodhshakti Pure Ghee
- Dry fruits (optional)
These delectable treats are made with gram flour, sugar, and ghee. Besan ke Ladoo are a versatile sweet that can be enjoyed throughout the year, but they are particularly popular during festivals like Makar Sankranti. The ghee not only adds richness but also helps bind the ladoo together.
9. Makara Chaula (Rice and Jaggery Sweet)
- Ingredients:
- Rice
- Jaggery
- Milk
- Nutralite Doodhshakti Pure Ghee
This Odia delicacy is a special offering to the Sun God during Makar Sankranti. Made with rice, jaggery, and milk, Makara Chaula is a simple yet flavorful sweet dish. The addition of Nutralite Doodhskati Pure Ghee enhances its richness and aroma.
10. Methi Thepla (Fenugreek Leaf Flatbread)
Methi Thepla is a Gujarati flatbread made with fenugreek leaves, wheat flour, and spices.
- Ingredients:
- Wheat flour
- Fenugreek leaves
- Spices (turmeric, cumin, red chili powder)
- Nutralite Doodhshakti Probiotic Butter Spread or Nutralite Doodhshakti Pure Ghee
Enjoy Tastier Meals This Makar Sankranti With Nutralite Doodhshakti
Nutralite’s Doodhshakti range of products are the secret ingredients that can transform your Makar Sankranti meals into something truly magical. Elevate your Makar Sankranti special dishes with Nutralite Doodhshakti!
- Nutralite Doodhshakti Probiotic Butter Spread is a delicious and nutritious alternative to traditional butter. Made from creamy milk and packed with probiotics, It also supports gut health. Enjoy the creamy goodness of Nutralite DoodhShakti Probiotic Butter Spread on your Methi Thepla or use it to sauté vegetables for a flavorful and healthy twist.
- Nutralite Doodhshakti Pure Ghee is crafted from the finest quality milk sourced from the land of Braj. This pure ghee is a perfect source of beneficial fats, making it ideal for roasting sesame seeds for your til ladoo and gajak, or for tempering spices in your sweet pongal.
Conclusion
Makar Sankranti is a time of vibrant celebrations, filled with the spirit of joy, togetherness, and gratitude. The diverse culinary traditions associated with this festival reflect the rich cultural tapestry of India. From the nutty sweetness of Til Ladoo to the comforting warmth of Pinni, these dishes not only delight the palate but also carry deep cultural and symbolic significance. Enjoying these delicacies with loved ones, enhanced with the goodness of Nutralite DoodhShakti products, adds an extra layer of joy to your festive food ideas, making Makar Sankranti a truly memorable occasion.
