Meva Paag (Dry Fruit) - Mewa Pag - Dessert

Nuts are full of good fats and oils which work like a charm in the winter when we need the warmth they provide for our bodies. I always crave warm desserts in the winter but they’re always loaded with lots of fat and don’t entirely satisfy my cravings. This dessert is different from the normal “winter dessert” because it’s healthy since it’s made entirely out of nuts. A dessert that’s actually healthy? You didn’t think that was possible, did you? Well, this one is and that works in our favor because it satisfies our cravings, keeps us warm and won’t leave you feeling guilty after eating dessert either! This one (Meva Paag – Dry Fruit Delight) is dedicated to all of the nut-lovers!

Meva Paag (Dry Fruit Delight)

By mohini

Skill Scale: Easy
Serving: 36
Cook Time: 25-30 minutes

Ingredients

makhane (fox-nut/lotus seed) - 2 cup
walnuts - 1 cup, (shelled)
almonds - 1 cup
cashews - ½ cup
un-salted pistachio - ½ cup, (shelled)
un-sweetened coconut powder - ½ cup
sugar - 3 cup
water - 1 cup
cardamom powder - ¼ tsp
ghee (butter) - 4 tsp

Instructions

Dry roast makhane (fox-nut/lotus seed) in a pan on medium heat for 1-2 minutes and put in a bowl
Dry roast coconut powder in the pan on medium heat for 1-2 minutes and put in the bowl containing the roasted makhane (fox-nut/lotus seed)
Put 1 tsp ghee or butter in the pan and roast the almonds on medium heat for 3-4 minutes and add this to the bowl with the other roasted nuts
Put 1 tsp ghee or butter in the pan and roast the cashews on medium heat for 2-3 minutes (until it turns to a tan color) and add this to the bowl with the other roasted nuts
Put 1 tsp ghee or butter in the pan and roast the pistachios on medium heat for 3-4 minutes and add this to the bowl with the other roasted nuts
Put 1 tsp ghee or butter in the pan and roast the walnuts on medium heat for 3-4 minutes and add this to the bowl with the other roasted nuts
Put all of the roasted nuts in a food processor, coarsely ground them for about 1 minute and put aside
In a large pan, mix the sugar and water and cook it for 5-6 minutes to make a 1 ½ thread consistency for the sugar syrup
Add all of the ground nuts and the cardamom powder to the sugar syrup and mix well
Grease a 9x9 baking sheet , evenly spread the mixture onto it and set aside for 1 hour to cool
After it has cooled, cut into 1 ½ inch pieces to make about 36 pieces.

Note: All of the nuts were roasted separately because each nut has a different roasting time and roasting also enhances the flavors of the nuts
Note 2: When you’re mixing the mixture, if it looks too dry to spread, add 1-2 tsp water according to the dryness. If it looks too watery, then cook the mixture for 1-2 more minutes to evaporate the water