What is Rasayana?
Rasayana is a a Quick Banana Relish with Jaggery and coconut. Often offered as an offering / Naivedyam during Pujas
Rasayana (ರಸಾಯನ)is a quick to make, and yummy dish for Ram navami. This is served along with Panakam (Lemonade) and Kosambari (cucumber-lentil salad). This dish also finds its way to Festive Spreads as seen in the Ugadi Spread of Obbattu.
As part of the South Indian meal, a fruit (mostly plantains) is part of the Traditional sit down meal. Fruits are basic in nature, and help in lining the stomach against the carbs, fats, and oils that are part of the
traditional meal. I make this often, and not just for festivals – it’s quick to make, oil free, zero cook dish and healthy and filling for kids as a evening after-school snack. Although sugar can be added, the calcium from the jaggery is preferred with the freshly grated coconut to make a yummy snack.
Memories associated with this Rasayana…..
When I first posted in 2013 : A simple sweet dish to celebrate as my lil one (2nd daughter) celebrates her 1st birthday later this week, and a thanksgiving to God for bestowing upon me that (second) little bundle of joy – she completes my family with her giggles and slightly toothy grin and mischief 🙂 And this was for naivedyam (offering to God) that I made today, and was very glad she could eat this too – albeit a very little quantity. As this post gets published, I would be super busy preparing for her bday bash planned by the elder sister.. And the hubs and me are amused thinking which of the girls would actually end up cutting the bday cake later this evening :-))
What are the major ingredients for Rasayana?
Plantains / Ripe Banana – Just ripe plaintains pref not elaichi – but the yellow / spotted ones work well, for this dish. Ensure this is served immediately for it turns black very fast. A variation of this dish would be to add milk, honey and curds and make Panchamritam ( an exotic offering), also an offering to God, especially Ganpati.
Coconut– fresh Coconut increases the taste here, although frozen would work too
Cardamom powder – Do add this to enhance the flavour
Jaggery – Organic jaggery. (shredded) or jaggery powder also works, although we prefer the former. If you don’t have access to jaggery, you may use Cane Sugar (Nattu Sakkarai)
Other Festival Sweet recipes you may like on the blog
Other variants of Rasayana you can try:
- Chikkoo Rasayana
- Muskmelon Rasayana (Karbuja hannu Rasayana)
- Mangi Rasayana (Mavinhannu rasayana)
How to make Rasayana
Prep time : 10 mins , Zero cook , Serves : 2
Rasayana is a a Quick Banana Relish with Jaggery and coconut. Often offered as an offering / Naivedyam during Pujas
Ingredients to make Rasayana
- 3 Banana (fully ripe, but not mushy)
- 3 TBSP Coconut (fresh or frozen, grated)
- 3 TBSP Jaggery
- 1 tsp Cardamom powder
Method to make Rasayana:
- Peel and cut banana into thickish roundels.
- Mix the rest of the ingredients
- Toss once lightly and serve immediately.
Rasayana | ರಸಾಯನ | Rama navami recipe
Equipment
- Knife
Ingredients
- 3 Bananas fully ripe, but not mushy
- 3 TBSP Grated coconut fresh or frozen, grated
- 3 TBSP Grated Jaggery
- 1 tsp Cardamom powder
Instructions
- Peel and cut banana into thickish roundels.
- Mix the rest of the ingredients
- Toss once lightly and serve immediately.
This is a quick prasadam..very nice..
very heartening, i love such fresh prasads
very very quick and yummy parasadam 🙂
so authentic and so delicious!! simple and easy too!
Sowmya
That must be delicious and easy to prepare !
Give me that bowl, such a droolworthy rasayana..
Must try this. I make with sugar but never tried with Jagerry. Quickest salad ever.
Simple and divine.
A very happy birthday to I'll angel…These little bundle of joys make our life so happy and colorful..lots of love and hugs to both my cuties..
A happy birthday to your little girl 🙂
This is something we also make, with aval as well…
Nice and simple dish.And our b'day wishes to the lil one 🙂
right up my alley with my plantain obsession. This is a keeper for sure and Happy birthday to your little one!
awesome preparation..very suitable for prasadam.
Very authentic and quick prasadam Kalyani!
I never heard about this,,.. very unique and new for me.. thanks for sharing
Didn't know about this. Will make a great prasadham for offering..
Belated b'day wishes to your little princess. She must be keeping you busy 🙂
This is a yummy looking dish.
Belated wishes to the lil one. Its great to hear that the older one is planning the b'day bash. Lovely rasayana.
A different kind of prasadam for me, have never used ripe plantain. This easy and delicious looking Rasayana is what I would like to try when I get some ripe plantain. I guess I can’t use normal ripe banana?
yes Mayuri. Any ripe banana (like the indian type banana) will work.
Kalyani, this rasayana is quite new to me. It is easy with a few ingredients, will make it next time.
Kalyani, this rasayana is quite new to me. It is easy with a few ingredients, nice offering to the Lord.
THanks JAyashree!
My mother in law is the one who introduced Rasayana to me. It was so simple yet easiest of the naivedyams to make so it quickly became our favorite at home. Glad to see this post.
that’s awesome to know , Seema 🙂 We also love it at home and make it regularly as a snack esp for the kids after school.
Wow! this Rasayana sounds absolutely yum. I did not know it was a Ram navmi prasad. Will make some this year.
thanks Archana, it is a staple during Ramnavami & most other festivals for naivedyam