The festivities in India have begun and with Navratri, everyone is all set for non-stop fun, dance grooving to the foot tapping garba beats, and lots of food where you land in a sugar-binge. Make all your Navaratri special munchings tastier than ever with these lip-smacking traditional pooja recipes.
Here are Onmanorama Food's top 10 picks:
1. Phovu
Thin rice-flakes hand-mixed with grated tender coconut and dipped in molten jaggery. Aren't you drooling already? Yes, that's how the sight of Phovu leaves you like. Konganis make this delicious, extra-sweet dessert on Navratri and offer it to goddess durga. Phovu, also known as Panchagadai has an incredible aroma which make you smack your lips.
2. Aloo ki khadi
Aloo ki kadhi is a popular North Indian dish with thick gravy, which is consumed by people during the Navrathri 'vrat.' The dish which has potato and sour curd as the main ingredients is easy to prepare as well.
3. Ghari
The conventional doughnut-shaped urad dal fritters of South India takes a twist in Kongani cuisine. Ghari is prepared from semi-ground urad dal mixed with limited spices. Konganis across the country prepare this snack on Durgashtami, the ninth day of Navratri.
4. Pulao with peas
Pulao or Pilaf has become an inseparable addition to the repertoire of the Indian kitchens. This is an easy way of dishing up some tasty pulao.
5. Ambya humman
Ambya humman is a distinctive gravy made out of ripen mangoes which is an inevitable side dish in a traditional Kongani meal.
6. Aama Vada
A variant of our parippu vada (dal vada), aama vada is a crispy deep fried lentil-snack best enjoyed in the monsoons and winter, one crunchy, delicious bite at a time! It is also an offering made during the Navaratri festival.
7. Maladu
Maladu could be that far-flung cousin of the ubiquitous laddu, who insists on being different! With the softest of texture, it is a delight to be served during festivals.
8. Vanpayar sundal
Sundal is a snack made of all kinds of lentils. Some are sweet, some savouries. It's a perfect snack for all seasons; come rain or sunshine, binge on a cupful of sundal, for it's healthy too!
9. Panchamrutham
Made as an offering at temples during festival times, it is truly an elixir by taste. Make panchamrutham for this pooja with this easy 5-minutes recipe.
10. Banana halwa
No Indian festival is complete unless there is some halwa. There are umpteen varieties of halwas around including the ones made from common fruits. Onmanorama gives a simple halwa recipe using banana which takes only less than half-an-hour to cook.