Dry Fruit Garnish
A simple, crunchy, and elegant mix of toasted nuts and seeds. This versatile garnish adds a delightful texture and richness to Indian sweets like kheer, halwa, or even savory dishes like pulao.
For 8 servings
3 steps. 5 minutes total.
- 1
Prepare the nuts
- a.If using whole nuts, finely chop the almonds, cashews, and pistachios to your desired size. You can also use pre-slivered or flaked nuts to save time.
- 2
Toast the garnish (optional but recommended)
- a.Heat 1 tsp of ghee in a small pan over low heat. Add the chopped nuts and melon seeds. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until they turn light golden and become fragrant. Be careful not to burn them. Turn off the heat and add the raisins. The residual heat will plump them up slightly.
- 3
Combine and store
- a.Allow the toasted mixture to cool completely. Once cool, mix in the cardamom powder. Store the dry fruit garnish in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
What to keep in mind.
5 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Toasting the nuts in ghee brings out their flavor and adds a rich aroma.
- 2Chop the nuts to a uniform size for an even texture and appearance.
- 3Always let the toasted nuts cool completely before storing to prevent them from becoming soggy.
- 4For a royal touch, add a few strands of saffron along with the cardamom powder.
- 5Do not toast the raisins for too long as they can burn quickly and become hard.
Adapt it for your goals.
Vegan
This recipe is naturally vegan if you skip the ghee for toasting. Dry roast the nuts in a pan instead.
nut freeNut free
For a nut-free version, use a mix of seeds like pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and melon seeds. Toast them lightly.
savorySavory
To make a savory garnish for pulao or biryani, omit the raisins and cardamom. Instead, toast the nuts with a pinch of salt and black pepper.
quickQuick
For a no-cook version, simply mix the chopped raw nuts and raisins with cardamom powder. It will be less aromatic but still adds a nice crunch.