5 Healthy Fasting Recipes you can Cook this Navratri

Navratri, a popular festival amongst the Hindus, it is celebrated in most parts of the county. Apart from the traditional garba dance and wearing nine different colours on the nine days of the festival, another exciting part of it is its unconventional food fest!

However, those who fast for nine days find it quite difficult when it comes to scouting for different recipes. Since you cannot have several ingredients used on a daily basis, it becomes a tad bit tricky to come up with something healthy, interesting and easy. If it is your first Navratri after marriage and you are facing a roadblock when it comes to being innovative in the kitchen, don’t worry! I have a solution to your issues.

Since the Navratri fervour has begun I thought it is best to share some quick recipes with y’all to sail through this Navratri with ease:

1.Arbi cutlet

Arbi cutlet is made with colocasia root and is perfect tea-time snack during your Navtratri fast. 

Ingredients:

250 gms arbi, 4 tablespoons water chestnut flour (singhare ka atta), 1 green chilli, ½ teaspoon ginger paste, 1 teaspoon ajwain (carom seeds), rock salt to taste, 3 teaspoons oil to fry the tikkiss. 

How to cook: 

-Cook the arbi in a pressure cooker with ½ cup water for about 4 whistles. 

-Once the arbi is cooked, drain all the liquid and peel the skin. 

-Now mash all the arbi into a paste with a potato masher.

-In a bowl, add the chopped ingredients and spices . Now mix it thoroughly. 

-Now divide the mixture into equal-sized patties.

-Take a non-stick pan and heat oil in it. Now, fry the patties till they are golden brown and crisp. 

TIP: Best served with a Dhaniya and Pudina Chutney (No onion and No garlic).

2. Paneer paratha with rajgiri atta

A wholesome and sumptuous recipe to satiate your hunger pangs during the navratri fast. The succulent paneer is sure to leave you wanting for more.

Ingredients:

½ cup rajgiri atta, ¼ cup boiled, peeled and mashed potatoes, ½ teaspoon black pepper powder, rock salt to taste, 1 cup paneer, 2 chillies, ½ teaspoon lemon juice, ½ teaspoon powdered sugar, 2 teaspoons chopped coriander.

How to cook:

-Combine the atta or flour, the potatoes, pepper powder, and rock salt. Now knead into a semi-soft dough.

-Divide this mixture into eight equal parts. 

-Start rolling out each portion just like a regular chapati.

-Place s portion of the mixture onto the rolled out dough. (Mixture should include paneer, chillies, lemon juice, powdered sugar, rock salt to taste, and finely chopped coriander).

-After you have placed the portion of the serving, start folding it from the edges and seal it tightly. Now start rolling it out again until it is a nice flat circle.

-Heat a non-stick tava or griddle and add a little oil to it. Now start cooking the paratha till it turns brown and crisp. Don’t forget to keep flipping it. 

TIP: Best served with yoghurt.

3. Aloo Rasedar

If you want something to team your puris or parathas with during the Navratri fast, this simple and hassle-free aloo recipe is a delectable and easy pick! 

Ingredients:

500 grams chopped potatoes, ¼ cup ghee, 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, 1 tablespoon ginger, ½ cup yogurt, ½ teaspoon ginger powder, 2 teaspoons rock salt, ½ teaspoon chilli powder.

How to cook:

-Heat the ghee, add cumin seeds and when they start to splutter then add yogurt.

-Stir-fry till the ghee separates completely. 

-Add ginger powder, salt and chilli powder. Stir a few times and mix well. 

-Add the potatoes and turn the gas flame to high, till the potatoes looked fried.

-Add 2 cups of water and allow to boil.

-Allow it to simmer for 15 minutes.

TIP: Serve with rajgiri atta rotis or puris.

4. Sama Khichdi

Sama Khichdi or Barnyard Millet is a one pot dish made with an assortment of vegetables, flavoured with spices and condiments.

This is rich in fibre, gluten free and a great pick even for vegans. 

Ingredients: 

1 cup sama, 1 green chilli, 1 potato (boiled and diced into cubes), 1 finally chopped carrot, 1 finely chopped tomato, 1 tej patta or bay leaf, 1 cinnamon stick or dalchini, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 2 finely chopped dhania leaves, 2 teaspoons crushed peppercorn, rock salt to taste, 1 teaspoon cooking oil. 

How to make:

-Roast the millets or sama in a pan till they turn brown. Then turn off the gas and allow it to cool down.

-In a pressure cooker, heat some oil, and then add chillies, bay leaf, cinnamon, and crushed peppercorns. Stir it well.

-Now add the carrots, tomatoes, and potatoes. Saute it till they become soft.

-Add 2 cups of water, then add the sama. Cover the pressure cooker for 5 minutes and let it cook for 2 whistles. 

– Turn off the heat and let it cool for sometime.

-Put it ina serving dish and garnish with coriander and lemon juice.

TIP: You could have it with a mint chutney.

5. Sabudana Kheer

Sabudana or sago is an integral part of Navratri food items, especially if you are fasting. An easy to digest food item, this is colling and super-tasty!

Ingredients:

Sabudana, milk, cardamom powder, sugar, and saffron strands.

How to make:

-Soak sabudana for 15-20 minutes in a pan.

-Now place the pan on the gas (medium flame) and wait for the sabudana to rise and float on the top. This usually takes 5-6 minutes.

-Next add milk, cardomom powder and stir well. 

-Now add sugar. Continue to simmer it till the sabudana has cooked well and the kheer has thickened. 

-You can serve this hot or cold and garnish it with saffron strands.

TIP: For better taste, you could also add cashews and raisins.

Get. Set. Eat (But, first cook! :-P).

Images source: Pinterest