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    Home » Recipes » Instant Pot Recipes

    Hayagreeva Maddi Recipe

    Published: March 29, 2016 · Modified: March 9, 2022 by Uma Raghupathi · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 13 Comments

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    Here’s a new and improved version of a classic south Indian dessert, “Hayagreeva Maddi Recipe” with step-by-step pictures. It's very rare that you find dishes named after deities.

    A bowl of Hayagriva maddi on the table

    This hayagreeva sweet is special that way and for the fact that it can be prepared in less than 30 minutes with the Instant Pot. 

    ‘Hayagreeva’ refers to one of the avatars of Lord Vishnu. Long story short, one of the renowned devotees of Lord Vishnu offered cooked Bengal gram during his prayers and the sweet dish ("Maddi") was named after the Lord “Hayagreeva” as “Hayagreeva Maddi” instead of its ingredients.

    It is a dessert that your family will love and grow to have fond memories of!

    Regardless of the origin, the sweet will definitely make its mark with its unique and indulging taste. It's a sweet concoction of Bengal gram, jaggery with a good mix of flavors from ghee, nuts, cloves, and coconut flakes.

    The traditional version uses ghee in preparation and I am sharing the vegan version today. What sets this apart from other desserts is that it is a  good source of protein.

    That’s because of the Bengal gram. Apart from being a good source of protein, Bengal gram also brings dietary fiber and iron content to the table.

    In some places, Bengal gram is known more by the commercial name, Chana dal. But don’t let the name confuse you:-)

    With a good amount of protein serving, this is one gluten-free, vegan dessert you can feel good after eating.

    Jump to:
    • Why do I use Instant Pot ?
    • Step by step directions
    • Tips
    • You might also like
    • 📖 Recipe

    Why do I use Instant Pot ?

    • Easy to prepare
    • It’s a One-pot dish
    • There is no need to soak the dal 
    • A fuss-free dessert that you can prepare with little planning and within 30 minutes.

    As mentioned before, I have updated the old recipe to include the instant pot version and new pictures.

    This sweet is very near and dear to my family. So I thought I would share with you a new way of cooking using an instant pot.

    The original procedure is not too complicated and the Instant Pot makes it even easier. As is the case with most of the Instant Pot dishes, this is a one-pot dessert with very few dishes to wash at the end of the day.

    Step by step directions

    Rinse the Bengal gram or chana dal in clean water 3 times.

    A bowl of food, with Dal

    Cook the chana dal with 2 cups of water for 10 mins, on high pressure. Check to make sure that the pressure valve is in the ‘sealing’ position. 

    At the end of 10 minutes, let the pressure release naturally.

    A bowl of food with Dal and jaggery

    Open the lid and press ‘saute’ mode and add jaggery and mix well. 

    A pot is filled with dal and jaggery

    Saute for 5- 7 minutes and when it starts to thicken, add crushed cardamoms, cloves and stir well. 

    Add 2 tablespoon of oil and continue to saute for 2 minutes with continuous stirring. 

    Meanwhile, keep ready with roasted cashews and coconuts.

    Now add roasted coconuts, cashews and stir well. 

    When you get the desired consistency, press ‘cancel’ and your delicious Hayagreeva sweet is ready to be served. 

    Tips

    • Most important of all, the Bengal gram should not be overcooked.  After cooking chana dal do not mash completely, either. A few lentils should behold their shape even after they are cooked.
    • Use jaggery for this recipe for the authentic flavor and natural sweetness. But if you do not have jaggery, sugar is fine too.
    • Add roasted coconuts and cashews towards the end to preserve the nutty flavor and nice aroma when you serve the dessert.
    • Ghee is prominent for Indian desserts, especially to halwa recipes such as this one. Add ghee at the end if you are not vegan. But I added a few teaspoons of corn oil and noticed no difference in the taste.
    • Add a few tablespoons of almond flour to the halwa if it's a little watery or to reduce the cooking time.
    A plate of food on a table, with Jaggery and chana dal this recipe

    You might also like

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    • Vegan Mango Ice Cream
    • Pumpkin Bread Vegan

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    📖 Recipe

    A bowl of food on a plate, with Dal

    Hayagreeva Maddi Recipe

    Uma Raghupathi
    Hayagreeva sweet is a sweet concoction of Bengal gram, jaggery with a good mix of flavors from ghee, nuts, cloves, and coconut flakes.
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Recipe
    Prep Time:5 mins
    Cook Time:25 mins
    Total Time:30 mins
    Course :Dessert
    Cuisine :Indian
    Diet :Vegan
    Allergen :Dairy free, Soy free
    Difficulty :Easy
    Servings 6 people
    Calories 250 kcal

    Equipment

    • Instant Pot
    • Non-Stick Pan

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup Split Bengal Gram / Chana Dal
    • 1 cup jaggery
    • ¼ cup of organic sugar - optional
    • 2 tablespoon Corn/Avocado Oil
    • 10 medium-sized cashews
    • 3 tablespoon shredded & roasted coconut
    • 4-6 cloves
    • 2 tablespoon almond flour - optional
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    Stove Top Directions

    • Wash the Chana dal and cook in the pressure cooker with about 1 ½ cup of water. (4 whistles)
    • Drain the water from the cooked chana dal and set it aside
    • Place a big vessel over medium heat. Add the cooked & drained Chana dal. As it thickens, add the jaggery and stir to mix them evenly
    • Add ghee and keep stirring
    • After a few minutes as it thickens, add more sugar if you prefer it sweeter.
    • Add crushed cloves and roasted coconut and stir
    • Saute the cashews with a teaspoon of ghee and add to the sweet
    • "Hayagreeva Maddi " or Chana dal sweet is ready to be served hot. It can be served hot or cold.

    Instant Pot Directions

    • Rinse the Bengal gram or chana dal in clean water 3 times.
    • Cook the chana dal with 2 cups of water for 10 mins, on high pressure. Check to make sure that the pressure valve is in the ‘sealing’ position.
    • At the end of 10 minutes, let the pressure release naturally.
    • Open the lid and press ‘saute’ mode and add jaggery and mix well.
    • Saute for 5- 7 minutes and when it starts to thicken, add crushed cardamoms, cloves and stir well.
    • Add 2 tablespoon of oil and continue to saute for 2 minutes with continuous stirring.
    • Meanwhile, keep ready with roasted cashews and coconuts.
    • Now add roasted coconuts, cashews and stir well.
    • When you get the desired consistency, press ‘cancel’ and your delicious hayagreeva sweet is ready to be served.

    Notes

    • Add almond flour if your chana dal halwa or hayagreeva sweet does not get the desired consistency.
    • Add sugar if you prefer a sweeter version.
    • I used oil as an alternative for ghee because I prepared this as a vegan dessert. You could choose to use ghee or butter for the non-vegan or original authentic sweet.
     

    YOUR OWN NOTES

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    Nutrition

    Calories: 250kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 34g | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutritional information is an estimation only.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @simplesumptuouscooking or tag #simplesumptuouscooking!

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    A plate of Hayagriva halwa on the table
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Geetanjali Tung

      March 17, 2020 at 6:34 am

      Hayagreeva maddi looks so good! I love all dal sweets... kheer, ladoo, halwa. Easy-to-prepare and delicious. Love it.5 stars

      Reply
    2. Mayuri Patel

      March 14, 2020 at 11:43 am

      I've not made a halwa from chana dal, but your preparation does sound really delicious. Will have to try this easy halwa recipe for a special occasion and I'd love to make it using ghee.5 stars

      Reply
    3. Jagruti's Cooking Odyssey

      March 13, 2020 at 5:36 pm

      What a delicious and tempting halwa, I can imagine having this halwa nice and warm.

      Reply
    4. Jayashree T.Rao

      March 13, 2020 at 10:40 am

      This is a South Indian delicacy. The trick to the best sweet is that the grain is well cooked but not smudgy. Nice post,5 stars

      Reply
    5. Lata Lala

      March 11, 2020 at 4:28 pm

      Chana Dal halwa sounds very interesting Uma. Such a protein packed powerful recipe worth trying.
      Thanks for sharing.5 stars

      Reply
    6. Shailender Sharma

      March 10, 2020 at 6:55 pm

      Deliciousness overloaded. Recipe looks awesome and easy too. Protein packed dessert sounds too much inviting.5 stars

      Reply
    7. Pavani

      March 09, 2020 at 3:11 am

      I have heard about Hayagreeva maddi but never made it myself. Thank you for the Instant Pot recipe - makes it so much easier. Will try this traditional dessert some time soon.5 stars

      Reply
    8. Renz

      April 18, 2016 at 11:56 pm

      This looks really good. It's new to me but I would definitely try it.

      Reply
    9. tessciarloni

      April 06, 2016 at 3:42 pm

      This looks really interesting! I would love to try it. Cashews and coconut are always delicious 🙂

      Reply
      • Uma Raghupathi

        April 06, 2016 at 4:50 pm

        Thank you Tess 🙂

        Reply
    10. Amanda

      April 04, 2016 at 9:24 pm

      I love cashews, and the combination of flavors with the coconut and cloves sounds divine. Will give this a try!

      Reply
    11. Kylee Cooks

      March 31, 2016 at 4:28 pm

      I love how it's actually good for you! The protein and fiber alone is a great reason to try this with my family. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Uma Raghupathi

        March 31, 2016 at 5:27 pm

        Yes the sweet with goodness is actually a rare combination, but you can see in this sweet:)

        Reply

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