Tasty and Healthy Recipes you Can Make at home This Navratri

The festival of Navratri is here. This is the time when people fast for 9 days to worship the nine incarnations of Goddess Durga. Amidst the fun and frolic of organizing jagratas and attending garba functions, you also need to pay special attention to what you eat. Fasting during Navratri has spiritual importance, however, many of us are unaware of the fact that fasting during this season also has some health benefits backed by science. Fasting also heals your body and uses your metabolic rate to restore your immune system. Apart from fruits, there are many other foods available in the market that are specially made for Navratri. However, instead of buying ready-made items, why not prepare some healthy food items at home? In this blog, we discuss some healthy Navratri recipes that you can try at home.

1. Kuttu ka Dosa

Who said you can make dosa only with rice batter? Move over kuttu ka pooris and surprise your family members with healthy and delicious kuttu ka dosa, which you can easily make at home. If you are worried about the shape of the dosa, you can get the KENT Chilla and Dosa Maker to make your work easy. All you need to do is mix kuttu ka atta, salt, red chilli powder, ginger, and green chillies and you are all set to prepare the dosa. You can also prepare to stuff for masala dosa in a similar way.

Kuttu ka Dosa Recipe

1. Soak 1 cup of kuttu (buckwheat) flour in water for 2-3 hours.
2. Drain the water and mix the soaked flour with grated potatoes, carrots, chopped coriander leaves, green chilies, and salt to taste.
3. Cook the dosa on a greased tawa or griddle until golden brown and crispy on both sides.

2. Sanwa Rice

If you are a rice lover, you don’t need to give up eating it for the 9 days when you fast. You can easily make delicious pulav using Sanwa Rice, which is also known as barnyard millet. In case you are doubtful about the texture of the rice, you can use the KENT Rice Cooker and Steam Cooker to make your work easy.

Sanwa Rice Recipe

1. Rinse 1 cup of Sanwa rice thoroughly and soak it in water for 30 minutes.
2. In a separate pan, heat some oil or ghee and add cumin seeds, chopped green chilies, curry leaves, and chopped vegetables like carrots and peas. Sauté for a few minutes.
3. Drain the soaked rice and add it to the pan. Stir well and add water (1.5 cups for 1 cup of rice). Season with salt and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover, and let it cook for 15-20 minutes until the rice is tender and the water is absorbed.

3. Aloo Kadhi

Another delicious recipe that you can try during Navratri is aloo kadhi. You can make the light and lip-smacking curry using potatoes, chillies, and singhare ka atta. Aloo kadhi is a great recipe for Navratri which is filling and at the same time healthy. The healthy recipe also takes very less time to prepare which makes it all the more appealing.

Aloo Kadhi Recipe

1. Boil and peel 2-3 potatoes. Cut them into small cubes.
2. In a pan, heat some oil or ghee, add cumin seeds, chopped green chilies, and grated ginger. Sauté for a minute. Then, add 2 cups of yogurt, 1 cup of water, and whisk until smooth. Add salt, turmeric powder, and bring it to a boil.
3. Add the potato cubes to the kadhi and simmer for a few minutes until the flavors meld together. Serve the Aloo Kadhi over steamed rice.

You can try: Different types of Healthy Gujiya Recipes with a Twist

4. Healthy Milk Shakes

Many of us don’t like eating something heavy after fasting a long day. If you too like light food after fasting, you can switch to yummy milkshakes instead of the monotonous fruit juices. To make the milkshake healthy, you can add some fruits and season it with dry fruits. You can easily make different types of milkshakes using healthy ingredients using the KENT Grinder and Blender.

Healthy Milk Shakes Recipe

1. Choose your base: In a blender, combine 1 cup of chilled milk (dairy or plant-based) with 1 ripe banana or any other fruit of your choice like mango or strawberry.
2. Add nutrition boosters: To enhance the nutritional value, add 1 tablespoon of chia seeds or flaxseeds and a handful of soaked almonds or cashews.
3. Sweeten and flavor: Add a natural sweetener like honey or dates, and a pinch of cardamom or cinnamon for extra flavor. Blend all the ingredients until smooth and creamy.

5. Rajgira Puri

Rajgira Puri is not only healthy but also a filling dish after fasting for the whole day. To add a healthy touch, you can add parsley or ajwain to the dough of the pooris. If you are not an expert at preparing the soft dough, you can take the help of KENT Atta and Bread Maker. All you need to do is put all the ingredients into the machine and the soft dough will be ready within minutes.

Rajgira Puri Recipe

1. Prepare the dough: In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of Rajgira flour (amaranth flour) with a pinch of salt. Gradually add water and knead to form a soft dough.
2. Roll out the puris: Divide the dough into small portions and roll them into small circles using a rolling pin. Make sure to dust the surface with Rajgira flour to prevent sticking.
3. Fry the puris: Heat oil in a deep frying pan over medium heat. Carefully slide the rolled puris into the hot oil and fry until they puff up and turn golden brown. Remove from the oil and drain on a paper towel to remove excess oil.

6. Fruit Juice

During Navratri, as you are fasting, drinking juice is the best way to stay hydrated and get the necessary nutrients. However, instead of drinking juices that are full of preservatives, it is advisable to opt for cold-pressed juices. As the juicers use a low-speed squeezing process, all the nutrients and fibers in the fruits and vegetables remain intact.

Fruit Juice Recipe

1. Gather fruits: Choose a variety of Navratri-friendly fruits like oranges, bananas, and pomegranates. Wash and prepare them by peeling and removing seeds.
2. Blend and sweeten: Add the fruits to a blender and blend until smooth. If desired, sweeten the juice with a natural sweetener like honey or dates.
3. Serve and chill: Pour the fruit juice into glasses and refrigerate for a refreshing cool drink. Garnish with a mint leaf.

7. French Fries

Who says Navratri foods need to be boring? Thanks to KENT Fryer and Curry Cooker, you can easily make a variety of fried snacks. So, if you are craving for a plateful of French Fries, you can easily prepare your favorite fries within minutes with this smart appliance. In addition to French Fries, you can also make pakodas using kuttu ka atta.

French Fries Recipe

1. Prepare potatoes: Wash and peel potatoes. Cut them into long, thin strips, resembling french fries.
2. Soak and dry: Soak the potato strips in water for about 30 minutes to remove excess starch. Then, pat them dry with a kitchen towel.
3. Fry and season: Heat oil in a deep pan or fryer. Fry the potato strips in batches until golden and crispy. Remove them from the oil and place them on a paper towel to absorb excess oil. Season with salt.

8. Paneer Tikki

Another tasty dish that you can prepare during Navratri is Paneer tikki. Paneer is a staple food during Navratri, which is the reason why you can try making something new using Paneer. All you need is the all-new Sandwich Grill from KENT and you can prepare tasty grilled paneer right at home.

Paneer Tikki Recipe

1. Mix the ingredients: In a bowl, combine crumbled paneer , mashed boiled potatoes, finely, green chilies, grated ginger, coriander leaves, and spices like red chili powder, cumin powder, and garam masala.
2. Shape the tikkis: Take a small portion of the mixture and shape it into flat patties or tikkis.
3. Cook the tikkis: Heat oil in a pan and cook the tikkis on medium heat until golden brown on both sides.

Ways to Stay Healthy During Navratri

Fasting has a lot of health benefits provided you don’t opt for intermittent fasting. Here are some effective tips that you need to follow to stay healthy when fasting this Navratri:

• Include a Lot of Fruits and Vegetables

When fasting, make sure you include a lot of fruits, vegetables, and milk in your diet. This will help in detoxifying your body and keep your body clean. Avoid including greasy foods in your diet when fasting as it will add to your calories and cholesterol level.

• Snack on Fruits

If you are hungry, avoid chips or other deep-fried food. Snack on bananas, apples, or oranges. Carry dry fruits such as pistachios, almonds, and walnuts to munch on when you are hungry.

• Stay hydrated

Staying hydrated is a must to ensure that avoid health problems. When the fluid level in your body is high, you will stay active even when fasting. Always carry a bottle of water with you wherever you go and sip it all day.

• Avoid Overworking

Don’t overwork when you are fasting. In addition, avoid staying hungry for a long time when you are working. Always carry some type of snacks in your bag to keep your energy level high.

• Get Enough Rest

When you fast during Navratri, you tend to get tired easily. Make sure you get enough rest, practice yoga, and relax during Navratri.

Last Few Words

Apart from the healthy recipes mentioned above, there are a number of other recipes that you can try at home. So, this Navratri ditch the readymade food items from your nearby store and switch to healthy and tasty homemade food. The availability of smart chef appliances from KENT makes it easy to prepare these healthy dishes without any hassles. Visit our website to check out the entire range of cooking appliances from KENT.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What foods can we eat on Navratri?

During Navratri, a festival celebrated in India, people often observe a fast and follow specific dietary restrictions. The foods commonly consumed during this period include fresh fruits, milk, yogurt, nuts, and certain grains and flours such as buckwheat, water chestnut flour, and amaranth. Special dishes like sabudana khichdi, kuttu puri, and samak rice are popular choices. Additionally, ingredients like rock salt, ginger, and spices are used to add flavor to the fasting meals. These food choices align with the traditional fasting practices followed during Navratri and provide nourishment while adhering to dietary restrictions.

2. What is the healthy food for Navratri?

During Navratri, when observing fasts, it is important to consume nutritious foods that provide energy and nourishment. Some healthy food options for Navratri include fruits like bananas and apples, dairy products like yogurt and milk, nuts and seeds, whole grains like buckwheat and amaranth, and vegetables like pumpkin and sweet potato. These foods are rich in essential nutrients, fiber, and antioxidants, providing a well-rounded and balanced diet during the fasting period. It is also important to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and herbal teas.

3. What are the 5 fruits for Navratri?

During Navratri, various fruits are considered auspicious and consumed as part of the festival. Five commonly consumed fruits during Navratri include bananas, apples, pomegranates, oranges, and grapes. These fruits are not only nutritious but also symbolize abundance, prosperity, and good health. They are often offered as prasad (offering) during religious ceremonies and are enjoyed as a part of the fasting diet. These fruits provide essential vitamins, minerals, and natural sugars, making them a healthy and energizing choice during Navratri.