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‘Madgane’ (actually pronounced as mud-ga-ne) is a famously known dish made of chana dal (Bengal gram dal) and jaggery boiled together in coconut milk which makes it a bowl full of richness. This dish is a heaven full of experience in every sip. Coming from the Konkani households, this dish is similar to our Indian Kheer but yet very different. The texture of both the delicacies is almost similar but the use of coconut milk and boiled chana dal make it a bit more poury. Indian sweets are meant to be bathing in the pureness of ghee, but the ghee used in Mudgane is slightly lesser in amount which makes it a less caloric sweet, which can be consumed by even fitness freaks. People who have a sweet tooth and follow a diet keep craving for their favourite desserts but due to diet restrictions cannot consume it. Mudgane can be a one-stop solution for them, filled with the taste and richness of dry fruits. This dessert can be made with two types of dal, either moong or chana.
Tracing The Origin of This Sweet Delicacy
This traditional dessert originated from Konkani cuisine made of chana dal, jaggery, coconut milk with a dash of cardamom and garnished with fried dry fruits in ghee. This dessert is made for festive occasions, weddings, etc. and this creamy, delicious dish is often served as naivedyam in Konkani households. Konkani cuisines hold their culture in their taste and presence and also are rich when it comes to health. The Goa and the Konkan regions are situated in the coastal regions and therefore the use of coconut in almost every recipe there is justifiable. People resemble modak with Maharashtra, when it comes to Ganesh Chaturthi. Similarly, this dish is a must in almost every Konkan/ Goan household during Ganesh Chaturthi.
Ingredients:
· ½ Tbsp Rice
· A small piece of Turmeric
· ½ Cup (200 grams) Chana Dal
· 1 Cup Grated Coconut
· 5 Cardamom
· ½ Cup Jaggery
· 1.5 Tbsp Ghee
· Dry Fruits (Cashew Nuts, Almonds, Raisins)
Method of Preparation:
· Soak rice and turmeric for at least 1 hour
· Pressure cook chana dal for 3 whistles
· Extract coconut milk for two times and keep it in separate vessels
· Heat the second extract of coconut milk, add the cooked chana dal and the jaggery and bring it to a boil
· Add the first extract of the coconut milk at the end
· Roast some dry fruits of your choice in a pan along with ghee
· Pour the dry fruits loaded with ghee in the mixture and bring it to a final boil.
· Serve it hot and enjoy
Mudgane is an easy dish to prepare and the use of jaggery over sugar definitely makes it healthy unlike other desserts and can be easily consumed by even a diabetic person. This easy, light dessert would definitely be loved by every family member if served after a heavy meal at the dinner table. Its richness makes it a favourable sweet delicacy to be called upon in every kitchen on every small or big celebration.
