An auspicious 9 days are observed in India twice a year,one being in September/October and the other in March/April depending on the days the Lunar Calendar shows the time of arrival of the Auspicious Days.  The Goddess Kali/Durga is worshipped in this time and mostly people refrain from having meat,grain or lentils and observe a period of “fasting” during the day and prayer during the nights which is why the festival is called Navratri (Nav means 9 in Hindi and Ratri means Nights) and the diet includes all natural foods like fruits,milk,honey and nuts and this is broken only after the 9th day.

The theme for the FoodieMondayBloghop was Navratri Special and I present Masala Makhana – Foxnuts tossed with cashews and spiced which is so delicious and so apt for those who observe the fasts!

You can include peanuts,curry leaves and pressed rice while you are roasting the ingredients however I like it best this way!

The honey is used to make all the spices stick to the ingredients. Upon cooling to room temperature the taste is unbeatable!

Preparation Time : 15 minutes

Makes : 4 – 5 servings

INGREDIENTS

1 cup Foxnuts (makhana)

1/4 cup Cashews

1 tsp oil

The spice mix :

1 tsp salt (use rock salt if you are observing the fast)

1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1 tsp red chilli powder (optional)

1/2 tsp cumin powder (jeera)

2 tsp honey

METHOD

Heat oil on medium heat and roast Cashews till they change colour. Now lower the heat and add the foxnuts. Roast for 5 – 7 minutes till they turn crisp. Add the salt and spices and mix well.

Drizzle the honey on top and toss well so that the spices coat the nuts.Cool to room temperature and store in airtight containers.Its addictive so make plenty!

The post Masala Makhana for Navratri (A spiced Cashew and Foxnut mix) appeared first on The Food Samaritan.