Dasara Navaratri is a grand festival celebrated all over India with great spiritual fervour spanning over nine days. It’s also time when friends and family visit us to take part in special prayers and enjoy the feast.
In many parts of southern India, including few parts of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, Bommala Kolu (a display of dolls) is a fun-filled tradition.
Guests are usually served with Sundal or Senagala Taalimpu – sautéed chickpeas in little bit of oil along with payasam. And there is a reason behind it.
With cold and flu season at its peak during this festive season, legumes and millets loaded with protein help the body in fighting various infections.
Try these unique recipes that are easy-to-make, delectable and all healthy.
Serve it to your near and dear.
Navdhyana Sundal (9 Legume Sundal)
Sundal is the main naivedyam that is prepared and offered during Navaratri, without which the festive feast is incomplete. Navdhyana Sundal is prepared using 9 legumes tossed with spices. It is one of the healthiest protein-packed snacks, that tastes extremely delicious.
Ingredients
100 gms of black channa
100 gms of white channa
100 gms of red and white cowpea, each
100 gms rajma
100 gms of whole green gram
100 gms of dried peas
100 gms bengal gram
100 gms peanut
Soak all the above ingredients together in water for 12 hours.
To Roast and Grind
½ tsp toor dal
½ tsp urad dal
½ tsp channa dal
½ tsp sesame seeds
¼ tsp ajwain
1 tbsp dhaniya
2 red chillies
2 tbsp of grated coconut
A small sprig of curry leaves
Salt to taste
For Seasoning
1 tsp oil
½ tsp mustard seeds
2 pinches of hing
Method:
Pressure cook all the legumes for 3 to 4 whistles, drain the water.
In a kadai, heat oil, season with mustard seeds, curry leaves and hing.
Toss cooked legumes, add the powdered masala along with salt.
Sprinkle grated coconut.
Serve this yummy, protein loaded Sundal.
Nutritional Facts
Legumes are loaded with protein, fibre, essential vitamins and minerals that are low on calorie, making it a healthy choice of snacks, providing you with a spectrum of health benefits.
Quinoa Kheer
Quinoa kheer is an out of the box healthy creamy dessert that you can prepare and serve this Navaratri. The perfect blend of quinoa, milk and palm sugar seasoned with nuts makes this kheer yummy and delicious.
Ingredients
100 grams quinoa (soaked for 40 minutes)
500 ml milk
1 cup coconut milk
250 grams palm sugar or jaggery
2tbsp ghee
2-3 tbsp mixed nuts
1 tsp cardamom
Few strains of saffron
Method
In a pressure pan add 1 tsp of ghee and fry the washed quinoa for few minutes till it turns aromatic.
Add milk and cook well till it turns soft and mushy in low flame for 40 minutes.
Now add palm sugar syrup and stir continuously. As it thickens add coconut milk and switch off the flame. Add cardamom powder give it a nice stir to blend well.
Garnish with fried dry fruits, saffron and serve hot.
Nutritional Facts
Quinoa is a gluten-free, protein-packed grain, loaded with an array of essential vitamins and minerals and heart-healthy fats making it an ideal grain to promote health.
