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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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📖 Recipe
Hayagreeva Maddi Recipe
Equipment
Process Shot
Check above for step-by-step pictures (most of my recipes include pictures)
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
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
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimation only.
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Geetanjali Tung
Hayagreeva maddi looks so good! I love all dal sweets... kheer, ladoo, halwa. Easy-to-prepare and delicious. Love it.
Mayuri Patel
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.
Jagruti's Cooking Odyssey
What a delicious and tempting halwa, I can imagine having this halwa nice and warm.
Jayashree T.Rao
This is a South Indian delicacy. The trick to the best sweet is that the grain is well cooked but not smudgy. Nice post,
Lata Lala
Chana Dal halwa sounds very interesting Uma. Such a protein packed powerful recipe worth trying.
Thanks for sharing.
Shailender Sharma
Deliciousness overloaded. Recipe looks awesome and easy too. Protein packed dessert sounds too much inviting.
Pavani
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.
Renz
This looks really good. It's new to me but I would definitely try it.
tessciarloni
This looks really interesting! I would love to try it. Cashews and coconut are always delicious 🙂
Uma Raghupathi
Thank you Tess 🙂
Amanda
I love cashews, and the combination of flavors with the coconut and cloves sounds divine. Will give this a try!
Kylee Cooks
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!
Uma Raghupathi
Yes the sweet with goodness is actually a rare combination, but you can see in this sweet:)