Today is Ganesh Chaturthi, one of the most revered and vibrant festivals of the Hindus, which is celebrated with immense devotion and grandeur across India. The event commemorating Lord Ganesha's birth is held in the Hindu month of Bhadra, which occurs between August and September each year. It marks the birth of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and the god of wisdom. This auspicious occasion is not only about prayers and rituals but also about indulging in a feast of delectable dishes.

Ganesh Chaturthi has a significant place in the list of Indian festivals. The birth of little Ganesha is celebrated by children for wisdom and by elders for removing obstacles and for seeking prosperity, success. Devotees in different parts of India offer various ‘naivedyams’ to the God as a part of offering and we bring you healthy, tasty recipes that can be easily made on this festive day. 

Also Read: Ganesh Chaturthi 2020: Traditional Delicacies To Relish On This Auspicious Occasion

 Apart from chanting hymns, and performing pujas, Naivadyam in the form of sweets and other offerings forms an essential part of the celebration, reflecting the rich cultural diversity of India. Families come together to prepare a scrumptious spread of sweets, savoury foods, and vegetarian delights, offering them to Lord Ganesha as a symbol of devotion and gratitude.

On that note, we bring you a traditional sweet recipe for the land of Roshogolla a.k.a West Bengal to offer Lord Ganesha this year on Ganesh Chaturthi.

 

Dry Fruit Modak Recipe:

Ingredients:

2 cup deseeded Dates

1 cup assorted dry fruits – almonds, cashew, pista, roughly chopped

1 tsp of raisins

1 tsp of desiccated coconut

1 tsp fresh cardamom powder 

Method:

Grind the dates coarsely. Pan roast all chopped dry fruits.

Mix roasted dry fruits along with ground dates and cardamom powder.

Grease the modak mold with ghee, and stuff it with dry fruit mixture. Leave a hollow space in the middle and fill it with raisins.

Sprinkle desiccated coconut on the modak and offer it to Lord Ganesha. 

Undrallu

Undrallu also known as Kudumulu are like modaks, but a savoury variety. They are steamed rice balls made out of rice rava, bengal gram and cumin. 

Ingredients:

1 cup rice rava

2 cups water

2 tbsp of bengal gram, soaked in hot water for 10 minutes

1/2 tsp cumin

1 tsp ghee

Salt to taste

Method:

Boil 2 cups of water with salt and ghee. Bring it to boil, add rava, bengal gram and cumin.

Stir it without lumps, cook it on low flame. Once all the water gets absorbed, switch off the stove and let it rest for 5 minutes.

Transfer the mixture into a wide plate and let it cool.

Grease your palms, and make rava mixture into balls.

Steam these rava balls in an idly cooker for 10 minutes and make an offering to Lord Ganesha. 

Kesariya Sandesh

Ingredients:

1 cup chhena (paneer)

1/2 cup powdered sugar (adjust to taste)

1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder

3-4 saffron strands

Chopped pistachios or almonds for garnish

Edible silver foil (varak) for decoration (optional) 

Method: 

Take the chhena in a large mixing bowl and knead it well with the heel of your hand for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and creamy.

Add the powdered sugar and cardamom powder to the chhena.

Mix well until the sugar is fully incorporated and the mixture becomes smooth.

Soak a few saffron strands in a tablespoon of warm milk for a few minutes and then add them to the Sandesh mixture.

Place the Sandesh mixture in a heavy-bottomed pan and cook it on low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring continuously.

Once the mixture thickens slightly, remove it from heat and let it cool for a few minutes until it's warm to the touch.

Grease your palms with a little ghee or butter and shape the Sandesh into small round or oval-shaped discs.

Garnish each Sandesh with chopped pistachios or almonds and, if desired, place a small piece of edible silver foil (varak) on top for increased visual appeal.

Allow the Sandesh to cool completely before serving or offering them to Lord Ganesha during the puja. 

Nutrition

Milk is an excellent source of calcium and vitamin B12, which provide ample energy and are ideal for strong bones, joints, and muscles. While pistachios and almonds provide ample vitamin E for augmenting heart functions and protective antioxidant activity to shield the bodily tissues from inflammation and disease, saffron not only adds a bright colour to the sweet but also alleviates depression and uplifts mood. 

Netmeds.com wishes all its customers a Happy Ganesh Chaturthi