Top 3 Navratri Vrat (Fasting) Recipes for 2022

It is that time of the year again when Goddess Durga is worshipped with decorative items, jeweled clothing, kumkum, and a delicious spread of food. This festival is popularly known as the Tomorrowland of Gujaratis; however, the Hindu festival of Navratri is celebrated throughout the country at a magnificent scale by worshipping the nine incarnations of Goddess Durga.

People often observe fast (vrat) on all the days of Navratri. We have collated some not-so-common recipes that you can try in this Navratri in place of your usual fasting dishes.

1. Banana Walnut Lassi

A great recipe where you will not have to compromise on your cravings. And also, it barely takes 10 mins to make it!

Ingredients: 1 cup yogurt, a couple of bananas, walnuts, 1 tsp mixture of flax seeds and sesame seeds, and 2 tbsp honey.

Method:

1. In a food processor, blend yogurt, bananas, walnuts, seeds, and honey;
2. Blend it till the mixture is creamy and smooth;
3. Transfer it to a glass. You can garnish it with chopped walnuts and serve.

2. Alu Ki Kadhi

This is one of the perfect dishes to make for lunch while observing Vrat. This is a very easy yet filling recipe made with our very own oh-so-versatile potatoes.

Ingredients: 1kg potatoes that are boiled, peeled, and mashed smoothly, 2 tsp rock salt, ¼ tsp chili powder, ½ cup singhara flour, ½ cup curd, a few curry leaves, ½ tsp cumin seeds, 2 red chilies, 1 tbsp chopped ginger paste, ½ tbsp coriander powder, and 3-4 cups of water.

Method:

1. Make a thick batter out of potatoes, flour, and chili powder. Separate ¼th of the batter and set it aside.
2. Heat some oil in a wok. From the batter set aside, make pakoras by dropping in spoonful of batter in the oil so that they look like small balls. Fry till they are golden brown and set them aside.
3. Turn the ¾th batter into smooth paste by adding curd and water.
4. In a pan, heat 2 tbsp oil and add curry leaves, and cumin seeds. Once the cumin seeds are done crackling, add the whole red chilies and ginger paste.
5. Add the curd paste from point c, salt, and coriander powder and bring it to a boil. Remember to keep stirring over low flame till the paste thickens slightly.
6. Now add the pakoras made in step b above. Let them simmer for a couple of minutes.
7. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve it hot.

3. Makhana Kheer

This is a traditional Indian pudding that is really creamy and flavorful, one that you may desire to make even on normal non-festive days!

Ingredients: 1 cup makhana, 3 cups milk, 2 tbsp ghee, a few saffron strands, ¼ cup sugar, and 1 tsp cardamom powder.

Method:

1. In a heavy bottom saucepan, pour in the milk and heat it on a medium flame for ~7 to 8 minutes while stirring occasionally to avoid milk getting stuck to the bottom of the saucepan.
2. Heat some ghee in a separate frypan on another stove and fry the makhanas till they are light brown and crispy. Transfer to a bowl and set it aside.
3. Once the milk is thickened, add saffron, sugar, and the makhanas. Simmer the mixture for another 5 to 7 minutes till all the sugar has melted.
4. Sprinkle the cardamom powder and stir it. You can now turn off the gas.
5. Garnish with some roasted cashews and serve hot.

Festivals like Navratri offer an opportunity to cleanse your body. Fasting is an art and if not done correctly, can make you irritable. But worry not, these delicious recipes will keep your cravings at bay and also help you follow the traditions with happy feelings!

Apart from the colorful clothes, prayers and dancing, we hope you embrace joy and festivities with these delectable yet cleansing recipes! Do let us know which ones you liked the best and how they turned out in the comment section below.