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Monday 19 October 2020

9 Navratri Fasting Platters

                              

Sharad Navratri has finally begun and Maa Durga has blessed us with her Divine presence. Navratri or 'the nine nights' is an Indian festival dedicated to the worship of the 9 forms of the Hindu Deity, Goddess Durga. It is traditionally the time to fast and to pray. It is a time to purify our souls and cleanse our system and to rejuvenate. Most devotees observe fasting on all 9 days by following a restricted diet to detoxify the body. Eating the same type of fasting food (vrat ka khana) for 9 days can be monotonous and may not be a balanced diet. Food has to be chosen wisely to reap maximum benefits from fasting. Today I have come up with 9 different healthy, delicious and nutritious Navratri Fasting Platter ideas along with recipes, which are quick and easy to make, easy to digest and will keep you energized and hydrated without adding unwanted calories during the fasting period.

                            

Durga Pooja is celebrated twice every year - Vasant Navratri which comes in Chaitra month (March-April) during Spring season and Sharad Navratri which comes in Ashwin month (September- October) during the Fall season with full faith and devotion. This year Sharad Navratri began on 17th October and will end on 25th October following Dushera which is also another important festival which celebrates the victory of good over evil.


Navratri Fasting Rules:

As mentioned above, during Navratri fasting, a restricted diet (No-grain , No-onion No-garlic (Satvik) meals are taken. The whole idea is to detoxify the body and prepare it for the change in the season from monsoon to winter (in case of Sharad Navratri) and from winter to summer (in case of Vasant Navratri). However Fasting does not mean you starve yourself nor does it mean you over eat. A proper balance has to be made and food has to be chosen wisely to reap maximum benefits from fasting. Including whole fresh fruits, milk and milk products and dry-fruits in the diet is the best choice during fasting. First, let's have a look at the ingredients that are allowed during this Navratri fasting. Again this list is not a standard one, every region and family will have their own set of rules for Navratri fasting. For instance, In Maharashtra, Lady finger (bhindi) is consumed during Navrati fasting but tomato and bottle gourd are not allowed, While in North India, bottle gourd and tomato are considered as fasting food. So, better to consult with our elders before resuming the fast.
  • Fresh fruits preferably seasonal whole fruits and dry fruits.
  • Milk and milk products - Milk, Curd, Ghee, Butter, Buttermilk, Paneer (Indian cottage Cheese), Khoya/Mava.
  • Barnyard Millet/Samak Chawal / Samo/ Vrat ke Chawal/ Bhagar
  • Sago / Sabudana
  • Water Chestnut / Singhara
  • Buck wheat / Kuttu
  • Amaranthus / Rajgira
  • Groundnuts/ Peanuts/ Mungphali/ Shengdana
  • Sesame Seeds/ Til
  • Foxnut/Lotus Seeds/ Makhana
  • Vegetables like pumpkin (kadu), potato, sweet potato, colocasia (arabi), bottle gourd (lauki), cucumber, green chilies, coriander, mint.
  • Sendha Namak (rock salt)
  • Sugar, jaggery
  • Spices like cumin seeds, black pepper, cloves, cardamom, nutmeg.
Restricted Food:

  • Eggs/Non-vegetarian food
  • Alcohol
  • Grains like wheat, rice, pulses, legumes
  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Sea Salt
  • My 9 Navratri Fasting Platters :

    I observe fast on all 9 days and have only 2 meals a day. One meal with just milk and fruits and dry fruits (no-salt meal) and the second meal with salt - a balanced falahari diet. I try to refrain from eating ready made chips and chivda or the deep fried food as much as possible. Let's have a look at all the nine platters one by one. I had posted some of this platters on my Instagram handle last year, but without recipes. These were the meals i consumed during my last year Navratri fasting. This year, i am glad, i could blog all the 9 platters. I have provided the recipe link for all the recipes that are already on the blog and provided a written recipe for the rest which are not yet on the blog.

    1. My #Day1 Navratri Fasting Platter has in clock-wise order Barnyard Millet Upma / Sama Chawal Upma , Cucumber, Sabudana papad , Aloo Rassa ( A simple boiled potato gravy) and Shrikhand (Yogurt based dessert where hung curd is whisked with powdered sugar and flavored with cardamom and topped with saffron and pistachio.  

    • Aloo Rassa - This satvik aloo curry is very delicious and a breeze to make if you have boiled potatoes ready at hand. 
    Preparation Time: 5 minutes
    Cooking Time: 10 minutes
    Serves : 2

    Ingredients: 
    • 2 medium sized boiled potatoes
    • 1-2 green chilies 
    • 1/2 inch ginger
    • 1 tomato (optional)
    • 1/4 teaspoon turmeric (optional)
    • 1/4 teaspoon Cumin seeds
    • 1 tablespoon ghee
    • Rock salt to taste
    • Fresh coriander for garnishing.
    Method:
    1. Heat ghee and add cumin seeds to it.
    2. Once the seeds crackle, add the minced ginger and green chilies followed by tomato puree, if using and saute for 1-2 minutes.
    3.  Add 1/2 cup water, rock salt and turmeric if using. Add mashed boiled potatoes to it and allow the curry to boil and then simmer until it gets the desired consistency.
    4. Garnish with finely chopped fresh coriander leaves and serve.

                                   

    2. #Day2 Navratri fasting Platter: The platter has in clock-wise order Sabudana Khichdi (spicy sago stir-fry from Maharashtrian Cuisine), Doodhichi Koshambir/ Lauki Raita (bottle gourd in yogurt), Nariyal Burfi (fresh coconut fudge), Raw banana chips and Pomegranate seeds.


    3. #Day3 Navratri Fasting Platter -  The platter has in clock-wise order, Barnyard Millet Dosa ( a crispy crepe made from sago and barnyard millet) served with jeera aloo ( a simple potato stir-fry with cumin seeds), Makhana Kheer (Foxnut pudding) and orange wedges.
    • To make the Baryard millet dosa, grind the soaked sago(sabudana) with soaked barnyard millet in the ratio of 1:2 with ginger, cumin seeds and green chilies. Add rock salt (sendha namak) to taste and buttermilk and pulse again to get a batter of a consistency a dosa batter consistency, we use to make the regular dosa. Add a ladle full of the batter over a heated ghee-greased pan and spread the batter in circular outward movement to make a thin dosa. 
    • To make the jeera aloo, simply heat little ghee or oil in a pan and add cumin seeds to it. Once the seeds crackle, add finely chopped green chilies and grated ginger. Add the peeled and chopped potatoes and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes. Season with rock salt and cover cook without adding water on low flame until the potatoes are cooked well.


    4. #Day4 Navratri Fasting Platter: The platter has in clock wise order, Falahari Makhana Chivda ( a savory snack made with ghee roasted fox nut (makhana) with dry fruits and spice powders), Rajgira Sheera (Amaranthus flour pudding), Dahi Sabudana (savory sago curd), and Lemon Chutney ( an instant no-cook sweet, spicy and tangy lemon chutney .


    5. #Day5 Navratri Fasting Platter : The platter has in clock-wise order, Caramel Sago Pudding / Sabudana Kheer, Orange wedges, Dried figs, Raw Banana Cutlets / Kache Kele ki Tikki, and Fresh Coconut Chutney.


    6. #Day6 Navratri Fasting Platter: In clock-wise order, the platter has Sabudana Thalipeeth , lemon pickle, Fruit cream, Pomegranate arils and Badam Katli (Almond fudge).
    • To make the Sabudana thalipeeth, i have added grated bottle gourd, finely chopped green chilies and coriander to the soaked sago with rock salt and mixed well. Add a little water chestnut flour or boiled and mashed potato if you feel the dough is not binding properly. Now take a portion and spread it out on a greased work surface and delicately transfer it to a heated skillet. Cook the thalipeeth from both sides until crisp.
    • To make the fruit cream, i simpley whisked the milk cream with little sweetened reduced milk and added chopped fruits to it.

    7. #Day7 Navratri Fasting Platter - In clock-wise order, the platter has Kuttu paratha (buck-wheat flatbread), cucumber, Kaddu Ki Sabzi ( Pumpkin veg stir-fry), dates and Paneer Kheer ( Indian Cottage Cheese pudding).


    8. #Day8 Navratri Fasting Platter : In clock-wise order the platter has, Pomegranate RaitaRatalyacha Kees (Sweet potato stir-fry), Papaya and Anjeer Khajoor Roll (Dried Fig and Dates fudge).

                                 

    9. #Day9 Navratri Fasting Platter : In clock-wise, order the platter has Falahari Kaddu Ki Tikki (Pumpkin Pattie), Dahi Shengdana Chutney / Peanut Yogurt Dip, Mixed fruit salad, Dried Apricot and Mava Coconut Ladoo.
                                     

    Related Event:

    Linking this 9 Navratri Fasting Platters post to #FoodieMondayBlogHop , our Facebook goumet group, where a group of like-minded passionate food bloggers share their culinary skills on Every Monday depending upon a pre-determined theme. For our #269th  week, Mayuri di who blog's at Mayurisjikoni, very thoughtfully suggested that we cook some Navratri Special Recipe for the theme # Navratri Navras. Navratri festival is celebrated throughout India with zeal and enthusiasm. While North Indians observe fasting for 9 days during the festival, South Indians enjoy various Sundal dishes ( legume and bean salads) and Payasams (kheer). So, stay tuned on my Social handles, as i will be sharing the collage of all the recipes by my fellow bloggers on this post shortly. Do also check out Mayur di's space for some authentic Gujarati dishes and other exotic recipes from the World Cuisine. I have bookmarked her Haupia, A Hawaiin Coconut Dessert to try out soon. 
                          

    Would Love To Hear From You !

     I hope you would love this post with 9 different Navratri Fasing Platters. If you give any of the recipe a try, feel free to share your feedback with us in the form of likes and comments below this post. 

    All your suggestions are also more than welcome. If you like my work and feel it is worth following, do hit the follow button at the top right corner of this blog. Your appreciations means a lot to me. It gives me the inspiration and motivation to keep doing my work and give my best each time.

    If you like my recipes and want to be updated with new recipes, follow us on the social media.
    See you soon with yet another healthy and delicious creation from my Kitchen. Till then take care and eat right !

     Happy Cooking !
     Happy Fasting !

    Regards
    Poonam Bachhav

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    14 comments :

    1. This is one off a kind post .. appreciate the way you have balanced the nutrients as well as taste factor while planning the menu . No one will say to fasting if they are served such divine balanced prasad...bhooke pet bhajan nahi hota aur aise kha kar dil se bhajan hoga :-)

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      1. You are right Priya, fasting if done thoughtfully can benefit both body and soul. I am glad you liked it.

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    2. Wow Poonam, such a huge collection of fasting recipes. I've got to try so many of them. I usually only fast on the 8th day of Navratri. If hubby is fasting too then his preferred choice for meal is sama khichdi and aloo rasa or rasawaru shaak as we call it.

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      1. Thank you. I am glad you liked it. Do give some of them a try.

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    3. Totally love your traditional platters, and these are no exception. I am in awe of how you have come up with a complete hearty fasting platter for every day of Navratri. Brilliant post!

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      1. Thank you for the kind words Priya. Glad that you liked it.

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    4. I am always in awe of your dedication Poonam. Such a beautiful blog platter with balanced nutrition. Each platter looks irresistible. Beautifully presented.

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      1. Thank you for your kind words. I am glad you liked the fasting platters.

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    5. Wow Poonam this is one awesome collection. I have to try them all :D I appreciate that you have not taken the easy way out but tried to balance the meals.

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      1. Thank you so much. I am sure you will love all these fasting platters. Happy cooking !

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    6. Wow Poonam.. what an apt post for the theme and the Navratri time. such a versatile collection.. love each one platter here..so healthy and nutritious.

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      1. Thank you so much Swaty. I am glad that you liked these fasting platters .

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    7. Awesome Poonam !! love these traditional spreads for each day of navratra. Brilliant compilation...

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