Navratri is here, and while fasting is a very traditional and customary ritual, there is no denying that if you do it in the right way, it can be quite therapeutic for the body. It can act as a form of detox and keep you healthy as well.These nine days of fasting is also a very healthy process and is actually helpful in boosting your immunity, which is extremely important, given that we are all under quarantine and this is flu season.Fasting gives us a break from gluten and that’s good as this eases our digestion and lets the body function more efficiently. Make sure you eat light and stay away from fried foods as that undermines the whole point of a fast.Break your fast with gut health enriching, low GI foods like coconut water, milk or fruit juices, coconut milk, almond milk, sabudana, buckwheat, veggies, yoghurt, cottage cheese and fruits. All these foods boost your immunity, which is anyway low around this time of changing season.Now, vrat menus are great but if you’re looking to expand your horizons and want some very innovative vrat-friendly and healthy dishes, why don’t you check out some of our recipe recommendations?Here are some innovative Navratri food recipes you can try out this year. Navratri Recipes1. Coconut Hot ChocolateCoconut milk is a vrat approved drink and since you’re supposed to stay away from refined sugar, a coconut hot chocolate is going to be a delightful guilt-free drink that’s super healthy for you and your gut. The natural sweetness of coconut milk is enhanced by the flavourful and sweet cinnamon powder and you have a winner!Ingredients: Coconut milk: 1/2 cupCocoa powder (unsweetened): 2 tspCinnamon powder: 1/2 tspWater: 1/2 cup Boil cinnamon powder in water.Switch off the flame, then add cocoa powder.Now add coconut milk.Mix well.Serve hot Samai rice (cooked): 1 cupGhee: 2 tspMustard seeds: 1 tspCurry Leaves (chopped): 4Turmeric Powder: 1/4 tspPeanuts (roasted): 1/4 cupAmla (Chopped): 1 tbspSendha namak: According to tasteRed chilli powder: According to tasteBlack pepper powder: 1/2 tspTulsi leaves (chopped): 2 Add ghee in a pan then add mustard seeds and stir until they crackle.Add white urad dal and roast until brown.Then, add curry leaves, turmeric powder, peanuts and red chilli powder. Stir for 2 minutes.Add amla, salt and black pepper mix well then add cooked samai rice.Mix all the ingredients properly.Serve hot Buttermilk: 1 glassBlack pepper (crushed): A pinchJeera (crushed): A pinchBeetroot (steamed and grated): 1 tspStar anise (powder): A pinch Raw turmeric: 1 inchGinger: 1 inchBlack pepper: 2 peppercornsMilk: 1 cup Boil raw turmeric and ginger in a cup of milk.Strain it in a cup.Add freshly and roughly crushed black pepper in the latte and stir well.Serve hot. 1.5 cups kala chana, rinsed and soaked for 6-8 hours3/4tsp sendha salt1/2 tsp red chilli powder1/2 tsp turmeric powder1 tsp cumin seeds3 tbsp ghee Drain the water from the kala chana and rinse. Transfer the kala chana to a pressure cooker, add enough water to cover. Add the black salt and turmeric powder and cook till tender. Drain the chana.Heat the ghee in a pan. Add the cumin seeds and allow them to get brown. Add the red chilli powder. Add the cooked chickpeas to this pan and saute for a few minutes more on medium heat. Add more sendha namak if required.
