Banana Panchamirtham Recipe with step by step pictures. This Panchamirtham recipe | Panjamirtham | Panchamrut recipe is a popular prasadam prepared using banana, fresh coconut, jaggery, cardamom powder and ghee. This sweet preparation tastes quite divine.

Panchamirtham is an old South Indian prasadam that is served at Hindu pujas and temple rituals.

Banana Panchamirtham

I was thinking of posting karthigai deepam recipes, but couldn't make it up. So I am sharing a recipe which i made for navrathri. This is a simple recipe which takes place in all festive occasions.

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About Panchamirtham (Panchamrut)
Ingredients
Hacks
Panchamirtham (Step by Step Pictures)
Expert Tips
FAQ
Variations
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This is a simple version which is made with only banana, there is another version which is made with mixed fruits. Meanwhile check my karthigai deepam recipes.

About Panchamirtham (Panchamrut)

Panchamirtham is made of ripe bananas, sugar, grated coconut, cardamom powder and a bit of butter. This is the fruit based variety which includes only bananas as the primary fruit which makes it quick and easy to prepare especially during Navratri, Karthigai Deepam and any other festival.

It's a no cook snack that takes minutes to make but has great spiritual and nostalgic feel. It's so easy you don't even have to measure the ingredients and it turns out perfect. The banana adds natural sweetness and softness, jaggery enhances the flavor of the panchamirtham, and the coconut gives a chewy texture.

What I love most is how the taste enhances with time. You can prepare it right before your pooja and it will be done when you finish praying. Also you can feel like you are making something home made and simple. It also is natural and healthy which makes it great for a healthy dessert or snack.

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Why does this recipe work?

The ripe banana gives a natural sweetness and a chewy texture. The smell of coconut gives a nice texture whereas cardamom gives a warm aroma to the panchamirtham. When combined together the panchamirtham gives a nice smooth and melt in mouth feel.

Panchamirtham is Nostalgic - My aachi (grandma) would wake up the whole family to serve the most delicious panchamirtham. For breakfast, she would serve a combination of pongal and panchamirtham. Panchamirtham was her go to dish which she would always serve to the family. It's a simple five ingredient recipe but for me personally it holds so much memory.

Ingredients

Ripe Bananas : Use very ripe bananas. They are sweet and creamy, and also go very well with all other ingredients. Yelakki bananas (the small ones) are great for traditional taste.

Jaggery: Palm jaggery or powdered jaggery has that earthy taste. Make sure it is clean and free of dust and stone. If you are using pure jaggery, break it or grate it and then use it for the recipe.

Fresh shredded coconut: Use fresh shredded coconut for texture and a light flavor. Fresh coconut is always preferred, but frozen coconut can also be used by defrosting.

Cardamom Powder: It adds a good flavor and lifts the entire recipe. You don't much, adding too much will be overpowering.

Ghee: A spoon of ghee adds richness and helps the blending of flavors. If you're doing this for puja, try to use homemade ghee.

Hacks

Warm up the ghee before using it out of the fridge, it mixes better and also has a great smell.
For softening hard jaggery, microwave it with a splash of water for 10-15 seconds.
For a crunchy texture you can include some chopped nuts or peanuts.
You can even make this in jam consistency which can be used as spread which is great for kids.

Panchamirtham (Step by Step Pictures)

Take all your ingredients

Peel your bananas

slice them up

Take grated jaggery in a bowl

add in grated coconut

add in cardamom powder

and a teaspoon of ghee

Mix them well

After a while it will be all combined..

Add in sliced bananas

Mix well

Serve

Expert Tips

Tip 1: Use bananas that are ripe. It gives the sweetness and softness. The flavor and texture will also be enhanced.

Tip 2: If you're using frozen coconut, make sure it does not have any water content so it doesn't become too sticky.

Serving Suggestion: Serve it in a small bowl during pooja or as part of a nice meal with vadai, sundal, and fruit.

Storage: Panchamirtham is best eaten fresh, but if you need to store it, freeze it in an airtight container and use within a day. Allow it to become room temperature to serve again.

FAQ

Q: Can I mash the banana instead of chopping it?

Yes, but the consistency will be more smooth. It can be served to very young children.

Q: Can I skip the coconut?

You can, but the taste will be different. You can substitute it with chopped nuts.

Q: How long does it stay fresh?

It is best eaten fresh. If you want to refrigerate it then consume within 24 hours.

Q: Can I replace sugar with jaggery?

Yes you can, but the flavor will change and also adjust the sweetness accordingly.

Variations

Mixed Fruit Panchamirtham - You can add chopped apples, grapes, and pomegranate to make a more colorful and healthier version. This is also the version given by most of the temples.

Add Dry Fruit - For extra sweetness and chewiness, you can add chopped dates, figs, or raisins.

Spiced version - Add a pinch of edible camphor (pachai karpooram) or nutmeg for that authentic taste

Creamy Milk Version - A few tablespoons of milk can be added to make it creamy. Use it only if you consume it immediately.

Festival Recipes

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