How to Plan Navratri Meals for 9 Days

Quick vrat recipes anyone can cook

All serve 2. Use rock salt to taste. Times are for active cooking.

1) Samak Khichdi 12 minutes

You need: 1 cup samak, 2 tsp ghee, 1 tsp cumin, 1 green chili, 1 small potato diced, 2 tbsp peanuts, rock salt, lemon

Steps: Rinse and soak samak for 10 minutes. Heat ghee, add cumin, chili, potato. Add peanuts. Stir in samak, 2 cups water, salt. Cook covered till fluffy. Finish with lemon.

2) Sabudana Khichdi 10 minutes

You need: 1 cup soaked sabudana, 2 tbsp peanuts, 1 small potato, 1 tsp cumin, ghee, rock salt, lemon

Steps: Rinse soaked sabudana till water runs clear. In ghee, temper cumin, cook potato till tender. Add peanuts, then sabudana and salt. Toss on low till pearls turn glossy. Squeeze lemon.

3) Kuttu Cheela with Paneer 8 minutes

You need: 1 cup kuttu flour, about 1 cup water, rock salt, pinch roasted cumin, ½ cup grated paneer, chopped green chili

Steps: Whisk a smooth batter. Pour a thin layer on a hot pan. Sprinkle paneer and chili. Flip once set and cook through.

4) Sweet Potato Chaat 5 minutes

You need: 2 boiled sweet potatoes, lemon, rock salt, black pepper, coriander, pomegranate optional

Steps: Cube potatoes. Toss with lemon, salt, pepper. Add coriander and pomegranate.

5) Makhana Kheer 15 minutes

You need: 2 cups milk, 1 cup makhana, 1 tsp ghee, 2 to 3 tsp sugar or jaggery, cardamom, chopped nuts

Steps: Roast makhana in ghee till crisp and crush lightly. Simmer milk, add makhana. Thicken slightly. Sweeten and add cardamom and nuts.

6) Dahi Aloo 8 minutes

You need: 2 boiled potatoes, 1 cup whisked yogurt, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp ghee, green chili, rock salt

Steps: Temper cumin and chili in ghee. Toss potatoes. Lower heat and stir in yogurt. Simmer gently for a minute. Season.

7) Vrat Kadhi 12 minutes

You need: 1 cup yogurt, 2 tbsp singhara flour, 2 cups water, cumin, grated ginger, ghee, rock salt

Steps: Whisk yogurt and flour with water. Temper cumin and ginger in ghee. Add yogurt mixture and simmer till slightly thick. Salt to taste.

8) Rajgira Banana Pancakes 10 minutes

You need: 1 cup rajgira flour, 1 ripe banana mashed, 1 cup milk, pinch cardamom, honey to serve

Steps: Mix batter and rest 5 minutes. Cook small pancakes on a greased pan. Serve with honey.

9) Paneer Bhurji Vrat Style 7 minutes

You need: 200 g paneer crumbled, 1 tsp ghee, ½ tsp cumin, green chili, tomato optional, rock salt

Steps: Heat ghee, add cumin and chili. Add tomato if using and soften. Add paneer and salt. Toss 2 to 3 minutes.

10) Lemon Samak Rice 6 minutes with leftovers

You need: 2 cups cooked samak, 1 tsp ghee, ½ tsp cumin, 2 tbsp peanuts, curry leaves only if allowed, lemon

Steps: In ghee, temper cumin and peanuts. Toss in cooked samak. Add lemon and herbs.

11) Peanut Chutney 5 minutes

You need: 1 cup roasted peanuts, 2 tbsp yogurt, green chili, rock salt, lemon

Steps: Blend to a coarse paste. Balance with lemon and salt. Add a spoon of water if needed.

12) Lauki Yogurt Soup 12 minutes

You need: 2 cups diced lauki, 1 cup yogurt, ½ tsp cumin, 1 tsp ghee, rock salt

Steps: Boil lauki till soft and blend. Temper cumin in ghee. Stir in lauki puree and yogurt on low. Season. Serve warm.

Prep once, save time

Soak sabudana the night before.
Boil and chill potatoes and sweet potatoes for the next two days.
Dry roast a jar of makhana and a jar of peanuts.
Keep peanut chutney and mint yogurt ready in the fridge.
Knead kuttu or singhara dough fresh for better texture.

Shopping list for two people

Flours and staples: sabudana, samak, kuttu flour, singhara flour, rajgira flour
Vegetables: potatoes, sweet potatoes, lauki, pumpkin, arbi, tomatoes if allowed, cucumbers, lemons
Dairy and fats: milk, yogurt, paneer, ghee
Fruits and nuts: bananas, apples, pomegranate, raisins, almonds, peanuts, coconut, makhana
Spices and extras: cumin, black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, green chilies, coriander leaves, rock salt, jaggery or sugar

Small tips that help a lot

Add protein often with paneer, yogurt, peanuts, and rajgira.
If you feel low on energy, sip warm lemon water with rock salt.
Keep portions moderate. Light meals keep you active during puja and work.
If turmeric is not used at home, lean on ginger, cumin, and black pepper for depth.

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