DS7 · Desserts · Bihar and Jharkhand
Makhana Kheer with Milk Powder
Bihar's fox-nut kheer: roasted makhana crushed and simmered in milk with saffron and cardamom. Milk powder replaces the long reduction, adding protein and saving time.
- Region
- Bihar (Mithila)
- Diet
- Strictly vegetarian, egg-free
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Time, as written
- Prep 5 min · Cook 20 min
- Serves
- 3 (about 230 ml each)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Status
- Adaptation — milk powder replaces long reduction; sugar reduced
- Good for
- Festivals and fasting days (vrat), warm or chilled
Nutrition
Good source| Per serving | kcal | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Sat fat | Fibre | Sugars | Added sugar | Protein per 100 kcal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| As written | 250 | 11.5 g | 31 g | 9 g | 5 g | <1 g | 23 g | 8 g | 4.5 g |
Tier: Good source (11.3 g before rounding). The protein comes almost entirely from milk; makhana contributes texture rather than protein. Makhana values from NIN's Nutritive Value of Indian Foods (no IFCT entry). Values checked against IFCT 2017 on 15 Oct 2026.
Values are estimates calculated from the listed ingredients and quantities (IFCT 2017 and product labels), not laboratory measurements. How the numbers were calculated.
Ingredients
Method
Roast makhana in ghee on low heat for 5–6 minutes until crisp (one should crunch when pressed). Crush half coarsely; keep half whole.
Whisk milk powder into the milk. Bring to a boil in a heavy pan, stirring.
Add all the makhana. Simmer on low for 12–15 minutes, stirring often, until the makhana is soft and the kheer coats a spoon.
Stir in sugar, saffron and cardamom; simmer 2 minutes.
Serve warm or chilled, topped with almonds.
Protein optimisation
- Where the protein comes from
- Milk supplies 6 g per serving, milk powder 3.5 g, makhana 1 g, almonds 0.5 g.
- Boost
- Increase milk powder to 45 g (+2 g protein, +20 kcal and +2.5 g lactose per serving).
Variations, serving and storage
- Regional
- Mithila makhana-kheer with fresh coconut and a little jaggery (adds about 30 kcal per serving).
- Substitution
- For vrat, use rock sugar or jaggery as your custom permits.
- Storage
- 2 days refrigerated; it thickens — loosen with milk.
- Food safety
- Refrigerate within 2 hours.
- Meal prep
- Good.
Allergens
Milk, tree nuts (almonds)
Labels: Good source · Soy-free · Whey-free · Gluten-free