Navratri 2018: Vrat-friendly delicacies that will keep you full and nutritionally loaded

A festival and celebration of feminine power and energy, Navratri is celebrated twice every year. As one of the most auspicious and the biggest festival, Goddess Durga-the deity of the celebration is showered with kumkum, bangles, flowers, and jewelled attires. The 10 days of celebration also brings sumptuous delicacies that are healthy and vrat-friendly too. The worshipers believe that fasting on this day is great for the Body, Mind, and Soul. The believers go on a grain-free diet for almost 10 days. Along with grains, food such as meat, alcohol, onion and garlic are avoided.

While worshippers sanctify themselves with fast, they are also blessed with the honour of having food once a day. 

Just because you're fasting these nine days, you don't have to starve yourself. Here are some tempting recipes that you can indulge-in that are vrat-friendly too.

Also Read | Navratri 2018: 9 forms of Goddess Durga are worshiped in THIS order

Vratwala Chawal Dhokla Recipe
Time: 25 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Prep:5 minutes

A light food item made from the fermented batter derived from rice and split chickpeas, Vratwala Chawal Dhokla is perfect for the Navratri fast. Tempered with whole red chillies, cumin, ghee and curry leaves, this Dhokla Recipe is perfect to shoo away the cravings of temptation for your mid-time snacks.

Ingredients for Vratwala Chawal Dhokla
•3/4 Cup Samwat ke chawal
•1 Cup Sour yogurt
•1 tsp Ginger paste
•To taste Green chillies paste
•1 tsp rock salt
•2 tsp Oil/ghee
•2 Whole dry red peppers
•6-7 Curry leaves
•1 tsp Cumin seeds
•For garnishing Coconut and fresh coriander, grated

Step for Vratwala chawal dhokla

• To get the rice flavour and colour roast the rice in a pan very lightly
• To prepare the batter, mix the rice, chili paste, ginger paste, rock salt and yogurt. Leave the batter overnight till it becomes a bit spongy.
• In a tin, grease the bottom with a little ghee and transfer the batter into it.
• Place the tin into the steamer and let cook for 20 minutes

For the seasoning

• In a pan, heat ghee then adds cumin, red pepper, curry leaves and place it over the dhokla.
• Cut the dhokla into serving pieces and serve it coriander and coconut.

Also Read | 17th edition of Old World Theatre festival to mirror contemporary art 

Low fat Makhana Kheer recipe
A constant-dessert loved and prepared in every household regardless of the occasion, low fat Makhana Kheer is also perfect for this Navratri. A low diet dessert, this is the perfect indulge for this festivity. Serve it either as a prasad or post dinner to give the extra welcome to your guests. 

Total time: 20 minutes
Cook:20 minutes
Prep:5 minutes

Ingredients for Low fat Makhana Kheer recipe

• 1 Litre Milk
• 1/4 Cup Makhana (puffed lotus seeds)
• 2 Tbsp Sugar
• 2Pistachios, chopped
• 2 tsp Almonds, chopped
• 1 tsp Green cardamom powder (optional)

Steps for Low fat Makhana Kheer recipe

• In a deep vessel, pour in the milk, break the makhanas into biteable pieces then add them to the milk and let it simmer for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours without covering. Let the milk boil till the seeds are soft then add sugar and stir it for a few minutes. 
• Add the pistachios, almonds and cardamom powder and stir again.
• You can serve the dessert hot or cold.
• These simple and light meals are packed in flavour and will help your body in maintaining its strength while fasting.
• Consuming water during the fasting will help keeping your body hydrated and energetic while draining out the toxins from your body.