5 Healthy Organic Navratri Vrat Recipes

Navratri, the nine-night grand festival celebrated in India, is a time of spiritual devotion and fasting. This auspicious occasion is marked by the grand worship of Goddess Durga and her nine incarnations.

While each female deity signifies distinct power, Indians celebrate the festival in different forms, varying in languages and regions. In Northern India, Navratri is the celebration of Dussehra and Kanya pooja, western India dances through the Joy of Garba and Dandiya Raas, Eastern India worships the five days of Durga Pooja while the Ayudh Pooja and Yakshgana mark the South- Indian Navratri.

Most people exercise fasting during Navratri, adhering to dietary restrictions and adopting spiritual practices. Navratri Vrat involves abstaining from specific food and practices to purify the mind, body, and soul. Usually, people may not keep fast in many parts of India, but avoid using onion and garlic in their foods.

While Navratri Vrat, it’s important to maintain a healthy and balanced diet, which is full of nutrients. Organic produce is often more nutrient-dense than conventionally grown produce, providing essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support your body during fasting.

This blog provides quick and easy organic Navratri recipes or Vrat ka khana using high-quality ingredients, sourced from authentic and certified organic brands at Re:fresh. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner, these recipes are easy to follow and can be prepared quickly for Navratri 2024.

The Significance of Organic and Natural Ingredients

The organic food industry has grown significantly in the last decades. India has over 1 million organic food producers, standing at the top of production. 

Ganesh Chaturthi marks the grand celebration of Ganpati Bappa’s wisdom and knowledge, which includes the health of this planet. Read more about Organic living here.

By incorporating organic and natural ingredients into your Ganesh Chaturthi prasad, you can enhance the spiritual significance of the occasion while also nourishing your body and contributing to a healthier planet, as the products are-

• Purity and Authentic, without the use of harmful pesticides, herbicides, or synthetic fertilizers.
• High in Nutrition, vitamins, and minerals.
• A sustainable future, with sustainable farming practices in harmony with nature.

Navratri Vrat Recipes: 

• Organic Sabudana Khichdi

From the main course to snacks and desserts- Sago or Sabudana is a versatile ingredient that is most widely used in Vrat recipes or Vrat ka khana. 

Sabudana khichdi is a quintessential dish during the fasting season in India, and Navratri is the perfect time to enjoy this delicacy. 

Ingredients: Sabudana or Sago Pearls, are gluten-free and therefore a great alternative to wheat-based flours. While the market is full of options, you can explore the purest organic ingredients from Re:fresh to make this recipe more healthy.

Sabudana - 1 cup

Ghee - 3 tablespoons

Potatoes - 2, chopped

Green Chillies - 3 

Peanuts - ½ cup

Cumin seeds- 1 teaspoon

Coriander leaves - 1-2 tablespoons

Edible Rock Salt (Sendha Namak)- as per taste

Sugar - as per taste

How to make Sabudana Khichdi-  

1. Soak 1 cup of sabudana for 4-5 hours or overnight. If the soaked sabudana pearls are mashed properly, then they are ready to be cooked.
2. Using a strainer, strain all the extra water from the sabudana. Any extra water may make your khichdi mushy.
3. Heat a kadhai or a frying pan and add ½ cup peanuts. On medium-low heat, keep stirring the peanuts and roast to make them crunchy. 
4. Let the peanuts cool down (you can either remove the skin) and grind them to make a coarse mixture. Add the peanuts to the sabudana, with salt and sugar.
5. In a kadhai, heat 3 tablespoons of Ghee and add the cumin seeds on medium-low heat. Add chilies, fry them, and then add chopped potatoes.
6. Next, add the sabudana-peanut mixture and mix very well. Saute till the sabudana becomes translucent. 
7. Your Navratri Fast Sabudana khichdi is ready. Garnish it with coriander leaves.     

• Singhara Atta Puri and Vrat Aloo Sabzi

Singhare ki poori is a delicious Indian fry bread made with water chestnut flour, mashed potatoes, edible rock salt, and a few spices. Along with Vrat Aloo Sabzi, this healthy meal can also be eaten on regular days.

Water chestnut flour or Singhara atta is loaded with vitamin B6, potassium (350 to 360 mg per half cup), copper, iodine, manganese, and riboflavin.

Singhara Ki Puri

Ingredients: Singhara Flour is a powerhouse of antioxidants and minerals, perfect for Navratri fasting.

Water Chestnut Flour or Singhara atta - 250 grams

Potato - 1 boiled, mashed

Cumin powder - 1/2 teaspoon

Black pepper powder - 1/4 teaspoon 

Sendha Namak - as per taste

Oil for frying

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine water chestnut flour, mashed potato, cumin powder, black pepper powder, and sendha namak. Mix well.
2. Gradually add water and knead a stiff dough.
3. Divide the dough into small balls.
4. Roll each ball into a thin circle.
5. Fry the puris in hot oil until golden brown.

Aloo Ki Sabzi or Vrat ke Aloo

Ingredients:  The Vrat ke Aloo is a popular fast recipe, enjoyed with Singhara (water chestnut flour) or Kuttu (buckwheat flour) ki puri the aloo or potato sabzi is simple and delicious and goes well with fasting flatbreads 

Potatoes - 3 boiled & grated

Tomato - 3 finely chopped

Green chili - 1 finely chopped

Cumin seeds - 1/2 teaspoon 

Red chili powder - 1/4 teaspoon

Sendha Namak or Rock salt- as per taste

Chopped fresh cilantro

Oil/ghee for frying

Instructions:

1. Rinse 3 medium-sized potatoes well in fresh water and pressure cook them in 3 cups of water. You can sprinkle ¼ teaspoons of sendha namak or rock salt on the potatoes. After 4 to 5 whistles, let the potatoes cool down and peel them. 
2. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil or ghee in a frying pan and add cumin seeds. After the cumin seeds crackle, add the chopped chilies and saute for half a minute.
3. Add 3 medium-sized tomatoes tomatoes and stir well. Continue to cook on a low heat and let them turn mushy.
4. Crumble the boiled potatoes in the tomato mixture, stir well, and add 2 cups of water. You can add sendha namak as per taste. 
5. Simmer on low heat till the gravy thickens, as per your requirement. Garnish with cilantro.

Your delicious Singhare ki Puri and Aloo ki Sabzi are ready to serve!

• Makhane ki Kheer

Makhane ki kheer is a pudding made with Makhana (foxnuts) and milk, served as dessert and a popular sweet often made during Navratri Fasting.  

Ingredients: Makhana is rich in antioxidants and micronutrients and may help in weight loss, blood sugar management, and heart health. 

Makhana- ⅓ whole and ⅔ ground 

Ghee - 3 teaspoons

Cashews - 10 to 12

Milk - 500 ml 

Sugar - 3 to 4 tablespoons

Cardamom- 4 green pods

Saffron strands- a few strands

Almonds and raisins

How to make Makhane ki Kheer:

1. Heat 3 teaspoons of Ghee in a pan and add 1 cup phool makhana with 10 to 12 cashews. 
2. Roast the makhana on low-medium heat in ghee till the Makhana turns crunchy and the cashews become golden. Let them cool down.
3. Heat 500 ml of milk in a saucepan or a thick-bottomed kadhai on a medium flame. Stir at intervals so the milk doesn’t stick at the bottom.
4. While the milk is boiling, grind ⅔ makhana along with 4 green cardamom pods and the saffron strands. In the milk, add 3 to 4 tablespoons of sugar and the ground makhana with the whole makhana.
5. Simmer the kheer for 10 minutes on low heat, till the makhan softens and the milk thickens a bit. Lastly, add the raisins, almonds, and golden cashews to garnish to enjoy your Makhana kheer. 

• Sama Chawal Khichdi 

Sama or Bhagar rise is a regular ingredient used during fasting and is considered to be nutritious. A popular cereal, it is low in carbohydrates and gluten-free, enjoyed during Navratri fasting.

Ingredients: To make this meal healthier, choose the purest and most authentic sama chawal from Re:fresh, which is sourced from top certified organic brands in India.

Sama or Bhagar Chawal - 1 cup 

Mixed vegetables- Chopped, 1 cup 

Cumin seeds - 1/2 teaspoon

Red Chilli powder - 1/4 teaspoon 

Sendha Namak - salt to taste

Ghee- 1 tablespoon

How to make Sama Chawal Khichdi:

1. Rinse the rice with cold water and soak for at least 30 minutes until it becomes soft and translucent. Chop the potatoes, carrots, peas, tomatoes, and beans.
2. Heat Ghee in a pan and temper cumin seeds. Add the vegetables and stir them until they soften. Add red chili powder and sendha namak, as per your taste. 
3. Add the soaked sama rice and cook for 5-7 minutes, occasionally stirring. Khichdi should have a thick consistency. Enjoy hot with fresh cilantro. 

• Organic Almond Laddoo

Almonds are the most nutrient-dense foods, that offer an impressive array of nutrients, minerals, and vitamins to keep you going throughout the day during the Navratri fast. Making Almond ladoos from organic almond flour is a great alternative to conventional Navratri Vrat recipes. 

Ingredients: Almonds provide abundant potassium, calcium, and vitamins that help lower blood pressure and help against heart disease. 

Organic Almond Flour- 1 ⅕ cup

Jaggery powder - ⅓ cup 

Cardamom Powder - ⅓ teaspoon 

Ghee - ⅕ tablespoon 

How to make Almond Flour or Badam ke Laddoo:

1. Add ⅕ tablespoons of ghee in a kadhai and roast 1 ⅓ cups of almond flour until you begin to smell the roasted flour.
2. While stirring, add ⅓ cup of Jaggery powder or as per taste and add ⅓ teaspoon of cardamom powder. Pour the mixture into a blender to get a smooth texture. 
3. Divide the mixture into even portions and make even smooth Badam ke laddoos. Garnish with coconut powder and your favorite Navratri vrat Laddoos are ready.

By choosing organic ingredients, you can ensure that your body is receiving the best possible nutrition while adhering to your fasting traditions.

These recipes are not only easy to prepare but also provide a delicious and satisfying way to break your fast. Enjoy these organic Navratri Vrat recipes and experience the benefits of a healthy and sustainable fast.