Chaitra Navratri is a time for spiritual cleansing and mindful eating. The Sattvic diet, which is light, pure, and nutritious, is ideal for this period. It is believed that everything you do and eat during this time affects your soul and body. Whether you are fasting or not, it is necessary to have a sound mind and body. Sattvic diet is often misunderstood as a boring and flavorless diet but if you add twists to it, it can turn into one of the most nutritious and gut friendly meal you’ll ever have. Here are five easy Sattvic dishes to enjoy during Chaitra Navratri:
Sama rice khichdi (Barnyard Millet Khichdi)
A perfect alternative to regular rice, this dish is light yet filling.
Ingredients:
1. 1 cup sama rice (barnyard millet)
2. 1 medium potato (diced)
3. 1 green chili (chopped)
4. 1 tsp cumin seeds
5. 1 tbsp ghee
6. Rock salt (sendha namak) to taste
7. 2 cups water
Method:
1. Heat ghee in a pan, add cumin seeds, and let them splutter.
2. Add green chili and diced potatoes, sauté for 2 minutes.
3. Add sama rice, water, and salt. Cook until soft.
4. Serve hot with curd or vrat-friendly chutney.
Kuttu ki roti
A nutritious and gluten-free flatbread to pair with sabzi.
Ingredients:
1. 1 cup kuttu flour (buckwheat flour)
2. 1 boiled potato (mashed)
3. Rock salt to taste
4. Water as needed
5. Ghee for cooking
Method:
1. Mix kuttu flour, mashed potato, and salt. Knead into a soft dough.
2. Roll into small rotis and cook on a tawa with ghee.
3. Serve with yogurt or vrat ki sabzi.
Singhara Halwa
A sweet treat that is both delicious and energy-boosting.
Ingredients:
1. 1 cup singhara flour (water chestnut flour)
2. ½ cup jaggery or sugar
3. 2 tbsp ghee
4. 1½ cups water
5. ¼ tsp cardamom powder
6. Chopped nuts for garnish
Method:
1. Heat ghee in a pan, add singhara flour, and roast until fragrant.
2. Add water and mix well to avoid lumps.
3. Stir in jaggery/sugar and cardamom powder. Cook until thickened.
4. Garnish with chopped nuts and serve warm.
Aloo Jeera
A simple yet flavorful side dish.
Ingredients:
1. 2 medium potatoes (boiled & diced)
2. 1 tsp cumin seeds
3. 1 green chili (chopped)
4. 1 tbsp ghee
5. Rock salt to taste
6. Fresh coriander for garnish
Method:
1. Heat ghee in a pan, add cumin seeds and let them crackle.
2. Add green chili and diced potatoes. Sauté for 5 minutes.
3. Sprinkle rock salt and mix well.
4. Garnish with coriander and serve.
Lauki Raita
A cooling, probiotic-rich dish that aids digestion.
Ingredients:
1. 1 cup grated bottle gourd (lauki)
2. 1 cup fresh curd (yogurt)
3. Rock salt to taste
4. ½ tsp roasted cumin powder
5. Fresh coriander for garnish
Method:
1. Boil grated lauki until soft, then let it cool.
2. Mix with fresh curd, salt, and roasted cumin powder.
3. Garnish with coriander and serve chilled.
These dishes are nutritious, easy to prepare, and completely vrat-friendly.
