Satyanarayan Mohapatra
A culinary journey through Navratri fasting
Navratri, the vibrant nine-day festival honouring Goddess Durga, is a time for spiritual reflection, joyous celebrations, and, for many, a period of fasting. While fasting holds deep religious significance, it's also an opportunity to embrace mindful eating and nourish the body with wholesome, sattvic foods. This Navratri, embark on a culinary adventure that delights your taste buds while honouring the spirit of the festival.
Fasting, in the context of Navratri, is not about deprivation; it's about mindful consumption and choosing foods that promote physical and spiritual well-being. By focusing on sattvic ingredients, you can create a menu that is both delicious and nourishing, providing sustained energy throughout the day.
Here are nine easy and wholesome recipes to inspire your Navratri fasting journey:
- Sabudana khichdi: This classic Navratri dish is a comforting blend of tapioca pearls, peanuts, and mild spices. Soak the sabudana, roast the peanuts, and sauté them together with cumin seeds, curry leaves, and green chilies for a light yet satisfying meal.
- Singhara atta cheela: These savory pancakes, made from water chestnut flour, are a delightful gluten-free option. Combine the flour with water, cumin seeds, and rock salt, and then add your favorite chopped vegetables like tomatoes and spinach. Cook on a tawa with a touch of ghee for a crispy, golden delight.
- Kuttu ka cheela: For a lighter, crispier pancake, try kuttu (buckwheat) flour. Mix it with boiled potatoes, water, and rock salt, then add chopped chilies and coriander. Cook like a dosa on a hot pan and enjoy with a refreshing coconut or mint chutney made with fasting-approved ingredients.
- Lauki ki sabzi: Bottle gourd, known for its hydrating properties, is an excellent choice for fasting. Cut it into small pieces, boil until tender, and sauté with cumin seeds, green chilies, and tomatoes in ghee. This simple dish is a flavourful way to replenish electrolytes and stay nourished.
- Rajgira puri: These deep-fried amaranth flour puris are a festive favorite. Combine the flour with boiled potatoes, rock salt, and water to form a dough. Roll out small puris and fry them until golden brown. Enjoy them with your favorite Navratri vegetable dish.
- Sama rice pulao: This fragrant pulao is made with barnyard millet, a nutritious grain packed with fiber and protein. Sauté potatoes, tomatoes, and green chilies in ghee, then add the soaked sama rice, rock salt, and chili powder. Pressure cook until the rice is fluffy and serve hot with a garnish of fresh coriander.
- Aloo paneer tikki: These savory cutlets are a delightful combination of potatoes and cottage cheese. Mash the boiled potatoes and paneer, season with rock salt and cumin powder, and shape them into tikkis. Pan-fry in ghee until golden and crispy, and serve with a fasting-friendly chutney.
- Makhana kheer: Indulge your sweet cravings with this creamy and delicious kheer made with fox nuts (makhana). Roast the makhanas lightly, then simmer them in milk with cardamom, saffron, and a touch of jaggery. This dessert is both light and satisfying, perfect for a festive treat.
- Coconut Ladoo: These simple ladoos are a quick and easy energy booster. Combine grated coconut with condensed milk or jaggery, then shape into small balls. Add chopped nuts like almonds or cashews for extra crunch and flavours.
This Navratri, embrace the spirit of fasting with a culinary journey that nourishes your body and soul. These wholesome and easy-to-make recipes offer a delightful way to celebrate the festival while maintaining your energy and well-being. So, indulge in the flavours of Navratri, and experience the joy of fasting and feasting.
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DISCLAIMER: The brief are authors own view and opinion.
