Wednesday, April-3rd 2013

Vasant/Basant Navratri Specials !!

इस पन्ने को हिन्दी में पढ़ें

Dear Readers,

Basant/ Vasant Navratri is the nine days long sacred festival, that is considered auspicious by all the Hindus. The meaning of Navratri means nine nights in Sanskrit. Basant Navratri falls in Chaitra month according to the Hindi Lunar calender. The Hindu New Year starts from the first day of this Navratri. This year Basant Navratri is starting from 11th April and Ram Navmi (ninth day) is on April 19th/20th.

Many people keep fast (or VRAT) for eight days (from Parva to Ashthami) and eat only falahari dishes ( fruits, vegetables, and dishes made with specific ingredients for fasting days). They break their fast on Navami after ceremony and prayers. Others who can not fast for eight days continuously, observe fast on the first day (beginning of the navratri) and the last day (ashthami or eighth day) of Navratri.

For this auspicious festival let's make some Vrat ki delicacies. I will keep updating the Falahari dishes during the navratri.....

Happy Navratri !!
Shuchi

New Recipe!

Arbi ke Kebab Arbi Ke Kebab-Arbi is an edible root, also known as arabi, ghuiyan, toro, or colocasia. It is easily available worldwide. The leaves of arbi are also know as elephant ear. The word kebab has come from Mughal period in India. Traditionally Kebab is associated with meat preparations - but this is a phalahari version of Kebab. I have added some buckwheat flour (kuttu ka aata) in the kebab mixture which helps in binding the kebabas. This is a low-fat, easy to make appetizer for the days of fasting......

A phalahari platter with-Kuttu ki pakaudi, arbi ke kebab, dahi, thandai, and fruits....

vratkithali

Paneer Paratha Mewa Pag (Dry fruits dessert)-This is a special burfi/ pag made for pooja. This can be eaten in fasting days too. The selection of nuts and dry fruits can be changed as par the taste. Enjoy mewa pag....
Fruit Salad in yogurt dressing Fruit Salad in Yogurt Dressing - A very delicious and healthy fruit salad - this salad provides vitamins, calcium, and other nutrients by using ingredients recommended for fasting. Fruits selection can be altered as per taste and availability.
Phalahari_Bhel Phalahari Bhel -Peanuts are good source of Protein; they are rich in magnesium, copper and iron too. And makhane (puffed eurale ferox) are rich in carbohydrate. A very simple recipe to make phalahari bhel at home with nice combination of crispies. Note that this recipe does not contain Bhel/Layya or puffed rice- which is the base of bhel-puri ! Since usual grains like rice are not eaten in vrat, therefore we are making a bhel without bhel!
Kuttu_Poori Kuttu Poori -Kuttu is one of the grains that is considered as pure and is eaten during fasting days. There is variety of delicacies made out of kuttu ka flour. In India kuttu grain itself is available. Kuttu is very warm in tendency (tasir) and should be eaten with yogurt (dahi). Kutt ki poori is a delicious preparation and can be served with phalahari lauki or dahi ke aloo.
Strawberry_Shake

Strawberry Shake -Strawberries are very rich in Vitamin C and also good source of Folic acid, Iron and potassium and magnesium and with milk it makes a perfect drink. Enjoy this delicious and nutritious strawberry shake.

Some Other Delicious dishes for Fast

kuttu ki pakaudi singhare ki barfi vrat ke aloo

some photos for party planning and organization!