Along with worshipping the nine incarnations of Goddess Durga, Navratri is a festival of playing garba, dressing up, and relishing delicious recipes. Along with women getting dolled up in red sarees, bindis and bangles, the air gets filled with the aroma of delicacies being prepared in desi ghee. During this time, most people observe a fast as to show their devotion towards the Goddess. Some may not eat non-vegetarian dishes and give up on garlic and onion for this period of nine days. However, this does not mean that Navratri food is anywhere close to being bland. This Navratri, try these recipes to enjoy the festivities of nine days full of delectable flavours.
Sabudana (Sago) Kheer
Preparation Time: 20 Minutes
Cooking Time: 20 Minutes
Serves: 2
Ingredients
½ Cup sabudana
1 Cup sugar
1 Litre milk
2 Cardamom pods
2 Saffron strands
Chopped dry fruits as per preference
Method
Soak the tiny balls of Sabudana in water for 15 mins. Till then, heat the milk in a pan and bring it to a boil. Add cardamom pods and sugar and stir till sugar completely dissolves. Drain the water of sabudana and add it to the boiling milk. Cook till you find them turning into translucent. Add chopped dry fruits and saffron strands. Serve hot.
Kalakand
Preparation Time: 2 Minutes
Cooking Time: 20 Minutes
Setting Time: 3 Hours
Serves: 25 Pieces
Ingredients
2 ¼ Fresh paneer
1 â…• Cups milk
1 â…• Cups fresh cream
¾ Sugar
½ Teaspoon cardamom powder
1 Teaspoon almond and pistachio slivers for garnish
Method
Pour all paneer, milk, fresh cream, and sugar in a non-stick pan heated on a medium flame. Continue stirring till the mixture leaves the sides of the pan. This will take approximately 15 minutes. Remove the flame add cardamom powder. Pour the contents on a greased plate or setting tray and garnish it with almond and pistachio slivers. Refrigerate it for 3 hours to let the mixture set well. Kalakand is now ready to serve.
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Millet Khichdi
Preparation Time: 10 Minutes
Cooking Time: 10 Minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients
1 Cup millet
1 Tablespoon ghee
½ Teaspoon cumin seeds
¼ Cup roasted peanuts
1 Teaspoon finely chopped ginger
2 finely chopped green chillies
Rock Salt to taste
Method
Heat desi ghee in a nonstick pan and add cumin seeds. As the seeds crackle, add peanuts, ginger, and millet and saute on a low-medium flame for 5 minutes. Add 3 cups of water and cover it with a lid for another 5 to 6 minutes while stirring occasionally. Remove the flame and serve the hot khichdi with curd.
Banana Rajgira Puri
Preparation Time: 10 Minutes
Cooking Time: 15 Minutes
Serves: 10 Puris
Ingredients
¼ Cup mashed bananas
¾ Cup rajgira flour
1 â…• tablespoon powdered sugar
¼ teaspoon cardamom powder
Oil for greasing and frying
Method
Mix all the ingredients except for oil in a bowl and knead them into a dough without using water. Grease your hands with oil and make small discs in the shape of puri with your hands. Heat the oil in a pan and fry the discs till they turn golden brown. Serve hot for best tasting experiencing.
Srikhand
Preparation and cooking time: 5 Minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients
1-kilogram hung curd
½ Cup powdered sugar
1 Tablespoon warm milk
½ teaspoon cardamom
2 to 4 Saffron strands
Method
Dissolve Saffron strands in warm milk and pour it in a bowl having the hung curd. Add sugar and cardamom powder. Mix them well using a whisk and refrigerate. Serve cool.
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