Navratri Prasad Recipes: Savor the Divine Flavors of Nine Days of Fasting

Families across the country prepare to pray, fast and celebrate during the auspicious festival of Navratri. It is an opportunity to indulge in delectable Navratri Prasad for nine days. Each day brings its own significance and culinary delights, offering a chance to explore a variety of Navratri food recipes that are both nourishing and fulfilling. Experience the spirit of Navratri by preparing these delicious prasad recipes.

Day 1: Sabudana Khichdi

Start your Navratri with a classic Sabudana Khichdi. This dish, made from tapioca pearls, is not only filling but also easy to digest.

Ingredients:

• 200 gm sabudana (tapioca pearls)
• 200 gm potatoes, diced
• 10 gm green chilies, chopped
• 5 gm cumin seeds
• 30 gm ghee
• Salt to taste
• 10 gm chopped coriander for garnish

Instructions:

1. Soak sabudana in water for three to four hours, then drain.
2. Heat ghee in a pan, add cumin seeds, and let them splutter.
3. Add diced potatoes and green chilies; sauté until the potatoes are soft.
4. Mix in the soaked sabudana and salt. Cook for five to seven minutes, stirring gently.
5. Garnish with chopped coriander before serving.

Day 2: Kuttu Ki Poori

On the second day, enjoy Kuttu Ki Poori. This gluten-free bread is perfect for fasting and pairs beautifully with potato curry.

Ingredients:

• 200 gm kuttu (buckwheat flour)
• 200 gm potato, boiled and mashed
• 10 gm green chilies, finely chopped
• Salt to taste
• Water as needed
• 50 gm ghee for frying

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, combine kuttu flour, mashed potato, green chilies, and salt.
2. Add water gradually to form a soft dough.
3. Divide the dough into small balls and roll them out into round puris.
4. Heat ghee in a pan and fry the puris until golden brown on both sides.

Day 3: Singhare Ki Halwa

On Day 3, prepare Singhare Ki Halwa, a delightful sweet made from water chestnut flour.

Ingredients:

• 200 gm singhara (water chestnut) flour
• 150 gm milk
• 100 gm sugar (adjust to taste)
• 50 gm ghee
• Chopped nuts for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Heat ghee in a pan, add singhara flour, and roast until fragrant.
2. Gradually add milk, stirring continuously to avoid lumps.
3. Once it thickens, add sugar and mix well until the halwa reaches a pudding-like consistency.
4. Garnish with chopped nuts before serving.

Day 4: Aloo Tamatar Ki Sabzi

For the fourth day, whip up Aloo Tamatar Ki Sabzi, a comforting potato and tomato curry that pairs well with fasting foods.

Ingredients:

• 300 gm potatoes, cubed
• 200 gm tomatoes, chopped
• 5 gm cumin seeds
• 10 gm green chilies, chopped
• Salt to taste
• 30 gm oil

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a pan, add cumin seeds, and let them splutter.
2. Add green chilies and chopped tomatoes; cook until soft.
3. Add cubed potatoes, salt, and a little water. Cover and cook until potatoes are tender.

Day 5: Coconut Ladoo

On the fifth day, treat yourself to Coconut Ladoo, a sweet and nutritious delicacy that’s easy to make.

Ingredients:

• 200 gm grated coconut (fresh or desiccated)
• 100 gm condensed milk
• 50 gm almonds, chopped
• 1/2 tsp cardamom powder (approx. 1 gm)

Instructions:

1. In a pan, mix grated coconut and condensed milk; cook for a few minutes until combined.
2. Remove from heat, add cardamom powder and chopped almonds.
3. Once cool, shape the mixture into small balls.

Day 6: Methi Thepla

On Day 6, savor the taste of Methi Thepla, a nutritious flatbread made with fenugreek leaves.

Ingredients:

• 200 gm whole wheat flour
• 100 gm fresh methi (fenugreek) leaves, chopped
• 5 gm turmeric powder
• 5 gm cumin powder
• Salt to taste
• Water as needed
• 30 gm oil for cooking

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix whole wheat flour, chopped methi leaves, turmeric, cumin, and salt.
2. Add water gradually to form a soft dough.
3. Roll into thin flatbreads and cook on a hot tawa with a little oil until golden brown.

Day 7: Paneer Tikka

Celebrate Day 7 with Paneer Tikka, a flavorful dish made from marinated paneer cubes grilled to perfection.

Ingredients:

• 200 gm paneer, cubed
• 50 gm yogurt
• 10 gm red chili powder
• 5 gm turmeric powder
• Salt to taste
• 100 gm bell peppers, cubed
• 100 gm onions, cubed
• Skewers

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix yogurt, chili powder, turmeric, and salt.
2. Marinate the paneer, bell peppers, and onions in the mixture for 30 minutes.
3. Thread the marinated ingredients onto skewers and grill until charred.

Day 8: Sooji Halwa

On Day 8, indulge in Sooji Halwa, a classic sweet made from semolina, perfect for celebrating.

Ingredients:

• 200 gm semolina (sooji)
• 100 gm sugar (adjust to taste)
• 150 gm ghee
• 400 gm water
• 5 gm cardamom powder
• Chopped nuts for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Heat ghee in a pan, add semolina, and roast until golden.
2. In a separate pot, boil water and add sugar; stir until dissolved.
3. Gradually pour the sugar water into the roasted semolina, stirring continuously until it thickens.
4. Add cardamom powder and garnish with nuts.

Day 9: Fruit Chaat

Conclude your Navratri celebrations with a refreshing Fruit Chaat. This colorful dish is a great way to end the fast.

Ingredients:

• 200 gm assorted fruits (apple, banana, pomegranate, etc.), chopped
• 10 gm lemon juice
• 5 gm chaat masala
• 15 gm honey (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, combine the chopped fruits.
2. Drizzle with lemon juice and sprinkle chaat masala.
3. Add honey if desired, and toss everything together gently.

Additionally, one can also offer Sandesh and Mysore Pak to Devi, adding a sweet touch to the devotion and making the festive spirit even more vibrant.