Janmashtami Culinary Delights: 3 Innovative Prasad Recipe Ideas

Janmashtami, the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, is a joyous occasion celebrated with great devotion and fervour. To make this year's Janmashtami celebration even more special and memorable, we have gathered three unique prasad recipes that blend traditional flavours with modern twists, perfect for those observing fasts and planning for Jagrata. These recipes are not only quick but also incredibly flavourful, ensuring that your bhog is truly divine. Plus, their simplicity makes them ideal for preparing during fasts and a night of spiritual devotion.

1. Saffron and Pistachio Rice Pudding Parfait: An elegant twist on the classic rice pudding, this parfait layers fragrant saffron-infused rice pudding with the crunch of pistachios.

Ingredients:

· 1 cup cooked rice

· 2 cups milk

· 1/3 cup sugar (adjust to taste)

· A pinch of saffron strands

· 1/4 cup chopped pistachios

· 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder

· A few saffron strands

· 1/4 cup warm milk

Instructions:

· Rinse the rice and soak it in water for 30 minutes. Drain.

· In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the rice and milk. Place it in Voltas Beko microwave on high for 10-12 minutes, stirring every 3 minutes until the rice is cooked and the mixture thickens. The Auto Cooking feature in the Voltas Beko microwave ensures that your rice is cooked with the touch of a button.

· Add sugar, saffron threads, and cardamom powder. Mix well and microwave for an additional 2 minutes.

· Let the rice pudding cool. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

· In serving glasses, layer the saffron rice pudding with chopped pistachios.

· Garnish with extra pistachios and saffron strands. Serve chilled.

2. Fruit and Nut Srikhand Cups: A luscious blend of strained yogurt, saffron, and cardamom served in nutty granola cups, topped with a medley of fresh fruits and crunchy nuts.

Ingredients:

· 2 cups thick yogurt (strained)

· 1/2 cup powdered sugar

· 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder

· A pinch of saffron strands (soaked in 1 tablespoon of warm milk)

· Chopped mixed fruits (like mango, pineapple, pomegranate)

· Chopped nuts (like almonds, pistachios)

· 1 cup granola

· 2 tablespoons melted butter

Instructions:

· In a bowl, combine the granola and melted butter. Press a spoonful of the nutty granola mixture into the bottom of each cup to form a crust. Press it down firmly.

· In a mixing bowl, combine the strained yogurt and powdered sugar. Add cardamom powder and saffron-infused milk. Mix until all the ingredients are well combined, and the mixture is smooth and creamy.

· Spoon the srikhand mixture into each cup over the nutty granola base. Top the srikhand with a generous amount of chopped mixed fruits and chopped nuts.

· Cover the cups with plastic wrap or lids. Place it in your Voltas Beko refrigerator for an hour before serving. The NeoFrost™ Dual Cooling technology keeps the natural goodness intact.

· Serve the Fruit and Nut Srikhand Cups cold. Enjoy the delightful blend of creamy srikhand, crunchy granola, and fresh fruits.

3. Chocolate Modak Truffles: Delightful modak-shaped truffles made with melted milk chocolate, condensed milk, and a hint of coconut, perfect for celebrating Janmashtami with a sweet twist.

Ingredients:

· 200g milk chocolate, chopped

· 1/2 cup condensed milk

· 1/4 cup desiccated coconut

· 2 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter)

· Cocoa powder for dusting

· Modak molds (if available)

Instructions:

· In a microwave-safe bowl, add the dark chocolate and condensed milk together, place it in your Voltas Beko microwave and stir it in 30-second intervals, until smooth. The Digital Display in the Voltas Beko microwave helps you keep an eye on the chocolate and you can ensure that it is getting properly melted.

· Once the chocolate is melted, stir in the desiccated coconut and ghee. Mix until all the ingredients are well combined.

· Dust your hands with a little cocoa powder to prevent sticking. Take small portions of the chocolate mixture and shape them into modak-like truffles using your hands or press the mixture into the modak molds and then release them. Stir in the chopped nuts.

· Place the modak-like truffles on a parchment-lined tray.

· Let them cool and set in the refrigerator for about 1-2 hours before serving.

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