Navigating through the fasting periods in the Hindu calendar, or any time you're looking for a simple and spiritual meal, can be challenging. From Navratri to Ekadashi or any personal fasting days, food becomes an essential element of this spiritual journey. Rather than compromising on taste or nutrition, one can look towards Farali recipes that are not only permissible during these times but also bursting with flavors. Here are seven fasting delights, or Farali recipe ideas, to make your fasting days feel like a culinary celebration:
1. Sago (Sabudana) Crisp
Starting off our list is an ever-popular snack - Sago Crisp. These are perfect for snacking during fasting days:
- Ingredients:
- 1 cup Sago (Sabudana)
- 1 Potato (medium-sized)
- 1 tbsp Peanuts (roasted and coarsely crushed)
- Green Chillies (as per taste)
- Sendha Namak (Rock Salt)
- Black Pepper
- Ghee or oil for frying
- Steps:
- Wash sago thoroughly and soak for a couple of hours or until they swell up.
- Peel and grate the potato.
- Mix all the ingredients, except ghee/oil, to form a sticky dough.
- Heat ghee/oil and make small balls from the dough, flatten them, and fry until they turn golden brown.
📌 Note: Be careful when frying sago. They can go from perfect to burnt in seconds.
2. Singhare Atta Flatbread
Singhara (water chestnut) flour is a staple for fasting dishes due to its nutritional content and versatility:
- Ingredients:
- 1 cup Singhare (Water Chestnut) Flour
- ½ cup Yogurt
- Sendha Namak
- Water as needed
- Ghee for pan-frying
- Steps:
- Mix flour, yogurt, and salt to form a dough.
- Add water gradually to make a pliable dough.
- Divide into small balls, flatten, and cook on a hot tawa with a drizzle of ghee.
3. Coconut Laddoo
These delightful treats are easy to prepare and a hit during fasting:
- Ingredients:
- 1 cup grated Coconut
- ½ cup Powdered Jaggery
- Cardamom Powder (optional)
- A few drops of Ghee
- Steps:
- Heat jaggery with ghee until it melts.
- Add coconut and mix well.
- Allow the mixture to cool slightly, then roll into laddoos.
4. Fruit and Yogurt Salad
This refreshing salad is not only permitted during fasting but also extremely nourishing:
- Ingredients:
- Assorted fruits (apple, banana, pomegranate, etc.)
- Thick Yogurt
- Honey (optional)
- Steps:
- Chop fruits and mix with yogurt.
- Drizzle honey if desired.
📌 Note: Use a variety of fruits to get different nutrients and flavors.
5. Farali Dhokla
Dhokla, a steamed snack, can be adapted for fasting days:
- Ingredients:
- 1 cup Singhare (Water Chestnut) Flour
- 1 cup Yogurt
- Sendha Namak
- 1 tsp Green Chilli Paste
- Eno Fruit Salt
- Tempering ingredients (for drizzling)
- Steps:
- Whisk flour and yogurt into a smooth batter, add salt and chili paste.
- Just before steaming, add Eno and mix well.
- Steam the batter until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Once done, temper with ghee, mustard seeds, and curry leaves.
6. Farali Poha
Instead of regular Poha, use Potato Poha, which is allowed during fasting:
- Ingredients:
- 2 cups Potato Poha (flattened Potato chips)
- 1 Potato (boiled and cubed)
- Peanuts
- Green Chillies
- Sendha Namak
- Lemon Juice
- Curry leaves
- Steps:
- Soak Poha in water for a minute, drain well.
- In a pan, heat ghee, fry peanuts, and then add curry leaves and chilies.
- Add potatoes and the drained Poha, mix well. Season with salt and lemon juice.
📌 Note: Make sure the Poha is thoroughly dried after soaking to avoid sogginess.
7. Farali Cheela
Cheelas are quick to make and provide a great start to the day:
- Ingredients:
- 1 cup Rajgira (Amaranth) Flour
- 1 cup Yogurt
- Sendha Namak
- 1 Green Chilli (finely chopped)
- Water for consistency
- Ghee for cooking
- Steps:
- Mix all ingredients to form a batter.
- Heat a flat pan, pour batter to make small pancakes, drizzle ghee, and cook until crisp.
In wrapping up this culinary journey through fasting delights, one can experience a variety of flavors and textures that not only satisfy the taste buds but also align with spiritual practices. Each of these Farali recipes brings something unique to the fasting table, ensuring that the days are filled with joy, health, and spiritual upliftment. Whether you're savoring the crispiness of Sago Crisps or the gentle sweetness of Coconut Laddoos, these dishes remind us that fasting can be a time of celebration as much as introspection.
What is Sendha Namak?
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Sendha Namak, or rock salt, is a type of salt commonly used in Indian cooking, especially during fasting periods, as it is considered purer than regular table salt.
Can these recipes be made non-fasting?
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Yes, by replacing fasting-specific ingredients like Singhare Atta or Sendha Namak with regular flour or salt, these recipes can be adapted for non-fasting meals.
What are some alternatives for fasting snacks?
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Other fasting-friendly snacks include Farali Samosas made with water chestnut flour, peanut and potato cutlets, or just plain yogurt with fruits.
