Panjiri Recipe Panjeeri Whiskaffair

on Jun 22, 2023, Updated Oct 26, 2023 Try my other sweet Indian recipes: Semiya Payasam, Sabudana Kheer, Gond Ke Laddu, Puran Poli, and Gajar Ka Halwa. I remember my mom making boxes full of Panjiri just before the onset of winter. The boxes were always replenished with new stock throughout the three months of winter. When we returned from school, we were given a bowl full to snack on. When I delivered Bhavye, she also made a large canister of panjeeri. I was instructed to eat a big bowl daily to heal my body faster. In this post, I am sharing my mom’s recipe for panjiri. Try it!

About Panjiri

Made using whole wheat flour, ghee, and a mix of dried fruits and nuts, Panjiri (also called Dabra) is a traditional Indian sweet recipe. This healthy and highly nourishing dish is mostly made in winter as its ingredients give warmth to the body. Panjeeri is also given to new mothers in Punjab and other states of North India. The ingredients in this winter dish are thought to help them heal, increase breast milk, and speed up the recovery process. Panjiri is also used as a nutritional supplement, given when people are sick or need to gain strength. It also helps to keep the body warm during winter months. It is a fantastic evening snack for kids, as it is loaded with nutrients from ghee, dry fruits, and nuts. Panjiri can be made into Panjiri Ladoo by adding more ghee and then binding the mixture into small ladoos. If you have difficulty eating Panjiri, add more ghee and bind them to make small bite-sized ladoos. Panjiri is also very popular in North Indian poojas and is served as Prashad along with Panchamrut and a halwa, mostly Sooji Halwa or Atta Halwa. Making it is very easy but slightly time-consuming. You should roast edible gum crystals or gond, dry nuts and fruits, and lotus seed in ghee until golden brown. Then, roast wheat flour in the remaining ghee until light brown. The dry fruits are powdered, and all the ingredients are mixed with powdered sugar to make this North Indian dessert recipe.

Serving Suggestions

Panjiri is usually served in small portions as a dry snack. It can be served in small bowls or plates and enjoyed independently. Flour – You will need whole wheat flour (gehu ka atta) to make this recipe. The flour sold at American supermarkets differs from the Indian atta in texture. Try to source the flour from an Indian store for the best taste and texture. Semolina – You will need fine semolina (sooji) and whole wheat flour. Some people do not add sooji to their recipe but I like the texture it gives to panjiri. Sugar – Add powdered sugar so it gets mixed with the other ingredients easily. You can powder white granulated sugar in a grinder at home. Do not use powdered sugar (confectioner’s sugar), which is meant for baking. It has added cornflour in it. You can replace powdered white sugar with powdered jaggery. Traditionally, khand or khandsari, which is desi raw sugar was used to make Panjiri. Ghee – Always use ghee to make Panjiri recipe. To make it vegan, replace ghee with coconut oil. Gond (Edible Gum) – Gond is a great ingredient to use in winter as it generates heat in the body. If making panjiri in summer, skip adding it. Nuts and Seeds – I like to add makhana (foxnuts, lotus seeds), dried coconut, almonds, cashews, pistachios, muskmelon seeds (magaj ke beej), flax seeds (alsi ke beej), and white poppy seeds (posta dana, khus khus). You can skip one or two ingredients if you find it difficult to source them. Ginger Powder (Sonth) – Spice the panjeeri with dried ginger powder. Others – When making it for lactating mothers, 1-2 tablespoons of Kamarkas (sage herb or flame of the forest) can be added. Roast them in ghee for 2-3 minutes until they turn slightly red. Add desiccated coconut (nariyal ka burada) to the recipe. Roast it well in ghee until browned. Once the ghee is hot, add 1 and ½ tablespoon of edible gum (gond) to the pan and roast it until it’s puffed up on medium heat. Keep stirring continuously. Once puffed, take it out in a large bowl. Make sure all the pieces are puffed well. If not, they will stick to your teeth, which will not be very pleasant. Add another 1 teaspoon of ghee and the following ingredients to the same pan.

5-6 whole almonds 5-6 whole cashew nuts 5-6 whole pistachios 1 tablespoon melon seeds ½ tablespoon flax seeds 2 tablespoon sliced dried coconut

Roast until they are slightly browned. Once done, take them out in the bowl. Now roast 1 teaspoon white poppy seeds until slightly browned. Once done, take them out in the bowl. If the ingredients are not cooled well, they might release oil and become butter-like while grinding. Add the roasted and cooled ingredients to a grinder or a food processor and grind to make a coarse powder. Do not overgrind; otherwise, they will get warm and might release oil and become pasty. Roast the flour on medium heat until slightly browned. It will take 10-12 minutes for the flour to roast well. Keep stirring continuously; otherwise, the flour will burn from the bottom of the pan. Remove the pan from heat once the flour is nicely browned and a nutty aroma emerges. Add the roasted flour to a large bowl along with ground nuts, 3 teaspoon ginger powder, and ½ cup powdered sugar. Mix the ingredients well. Add some more powdered sugar if you like the panjiri sweeter. Panjiri is ready. Store at room temperature in a clean and dry container for up to a month. Sprinkle chopped almonds, pistachios, or cashews on top of the Panjiri to add a crunchy texture and enhance the visual appeal. It can be enjoyed with a glass of warm milk. It softens the texture of Panjiri and provides a comforting combination. Another way to enjoy it is by adding a spoonful or two to a bowl of yogurt. It adds a sweet and nutty flavor to the creamy yogurt. Sprinkle some over a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful twist. Combining the sweet, powdery Panjiri and cold, creamy ice cream is a unique treat. Add more melted ghee to the panjiri, press the mixture firmly into a baking dish, and refrigerate until it sets. Cut it into small squares or bars, and you have homemade energy bars packed with nutritious ingredients. You can also roll it between your palms to make panjiri ladoo. To make a delicious and healthy parfait, layer Panjiri, yogurt, and fresh fruits in a glass or jar. Repeat the layers to your liking and top it off with a drizzle of honey.