Nine days of Navratri, nine days of fasting or abstaining from certain foods. And not without a scientific reason! Seasonal changes require our body to adjust and for us to adapt lifestyle practices which are best for us. Most importantly food; where we are advised to give our stomach a rest and detox, by either fasting or abstaining from heavy foods that are difficult to digest.
As a balance, instead of wheat, lentils and millets, people use wholesome substitutes like Amaranth(Rajgira) and Buckwheat (Kuttu) which provide all the health benefits that our body needs at this time, plus they are easy to digest as well. For the Chaitra Navratri vrat preparation (theme of our 35th #BlogHop), here's a popular Halwa, with a twist of course!!
Ingredients :
Amaranth/Rajgira flour - 1 cup
Clarified butter/Ghee - 1/2 cup + 1 tbsp
Sugar - 1 cup
Water - 2.5 cups
Chopped Strawberries - 1/4 cup
Chopped dry-fruits of choice - 1/4 cup
Green Cardamom (choti elaichi) powder - 1/4 tsp
Method :
1. In a saucepan, add sugar, chopped strawberries and water, and let simmer on medium heat till sugar dissolves and strawberries become semi-soft.
2. Heat 1 tbsp ghee in a non-stick kadhai/wok (Use a large one as we'll use the same for the halwa as well) and add the dry nuts. Toast them till golden brown. Drain excess ghee and keep aside.
3. Heat the 1/2 cup ghee in the same pan and add the rajgira flour, stirring simultaneously so that it absorbs all the ghee. Roast for 2-3 mintues till you get the aroma. Turn off flame and keep aside.
4. Once the sugar has melted, place the kadhai with the rajgira flour back on low flame, and gradually add the sugar syrup to it, remember to keep stirring to avoid lumps. Let cook for 4-5 minutes.
Finally add the toasted nuts and cardamom powder and give it a final stir. Remove and serve hot.
As a balance, instead of wheat, lentils and millets, people use wholesome substitutes like Amaranth(Rajgira) and Buckwheat (Kuttu) which provide all the health benefits that our body needs at this time, plus they are easy to digest as well. For the Chaitra Navratri vrat preparation (theme of our 35th #BlogHop), here's a popular Halwa, with a twist of course!!
STRAWBERRY RAJGIRA HALWA
Amaranth/Rajgira flour - 1 cup
Clarified butter/Ghee - 1/2 cup + 1 tbsp
Sugar - 1 cup
Water - 2.5 cups
Chopped Strawberries - 1/4 cup
Chopped dry-fruits of choice - 1/4 cup
Green Cardamom (choti elaichi) powder - 1/4 tsp
Method :
1. In a saucepan, add sugar, chopped strawberries and water, and let simmer on medium heat till sugar dissolves and strawberries become semi-soft.
2. Heat 1 tbsp ghee in a non-stick kadhai/wok (Use a large one as we'll use the same for the halwa as well) and add the dry nuts. Toast them till golden brown. Drain excess ghee and keep aside.
3. Heat the 1/2 cup ghee in the same pan and add the rajgira flour, stirring simultaneously so that it absorbs all the ghee. Roast for 2-3 mintues till you get the aroma. Turn off flame and keep aside.
4. Once the sugar has melted, place the kadhai with the rajgira flour back on low flame, and gradually add the sugar syrup to it, remember to keep stirring to avoid lumps. Let cook for 4-5 minutes.
Finally add the toasted nuts and cardamom powder and give it a final stir. Remove and serve hot.
This amarnath halwa looks perfect
ReplyDeleteLovely and healthy recipe share Krithi! Loved the colour of the halwa. Nice hue of pink.
ReplyDeletehalwa looks soo yummy and mouthwatering...yumyum
ReplyDeleteLooks so attractive and delicious halwa!
ReplyDeleteSuper se Uper!!!nice job, Krithika!!
ReplyDeleteThe twist with the strawberry is awesome Krithika..lovely share.
ReplyDelete