Maha Shivratri 2023: 5 vrat-friendly recipes

Maha Shivratri is one of the most popular Indian festivals and is celebrated by devotees from around the world with great enthusiasm and devotion. This year, the festival of Maha Shivratri will be celebrated on February 18. On this grand day, devotees of Lord Shiva usually keep a fast, offer their prayers and perform various rituals to seek the blessings of Lord Shiv. Observing a fast and staying awake during the night of Maha Shivratri is considered to be highly auspicious and helps one attain spiritual growth and enlightenment.

Food is an important part of all Indian festivals. During Maha Shivratri vrat people avoid consuming onion, garlic, non-veg, spices, white salt, wheat, rice etc. Instead, there are some vrat-special dishes that people especially prepare during the festival of Maha Shivratri. Here are some recipes that you can try on Maha Shivratri and enjoy the holy day.

1. Makhana Kheer

Ingredients required- 1 tbsp ghee, 2 cups of makhana, 8 cashews, 2 tbsp raisins, 2 cups of milk, ¼ cup jaggery powder and 1 pinch saffron. Method-In a pan, heat 1 tbsp ghee. Add 2 cups of makhana and roast on low heat for about 3 minutes. Take 1 cup of roasted makhana and add them to a blender along with cashews. Blend to form a coarse powder. In a pan, heat 2 cups of milk. Add jaggery powder, saffron strands and makhana-cashew powder and give a mix. Cook for 2 minutes. Now add roasted makhana and cook for about 5 minutes more. Makhana Kheer is now ready to be served.

2. Kuttu Cheela

Ingredients required- ½ cup kuttu flour, 1 grated potato, ½ grated beetroot, ½ grated carrot, 1 green chilli, ¼ tsp cumin seeds, 2 tbsp curd and sendha namak as per taste. Method-In a mixing bow, add kuttu flour, grated potato, beetroot and carrot. Also add finely chopped green chilli along with cumin seeds, curd and sendha namak as per taste. Give a mix. Add water in small batches and mix. Once the mixture attains a batter-like consistency, it is ready. The batter must be of medium consistency. Grease a non-stick tawa with oil. Pour 2 ladles of batter on it and spread in circular motions. Cook from both sides until crispy and serve.

3. Sabudana Khichdi

Ingredients required- 1 cup sabudana, ¾ cup water, 1 tsp cumin seeds, 1 boiled potato, ¼ cup roasted peanuts, 1 curry leaf sprig, 1 green chilli, ¼ tsp black pepper powder, 2 tbsp oil and sendha namak as per taste. Method-Wash the sabudana well and soak it in ¾ cup of water. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a pan. Add cumin seeds, curry leaves, chopped green chilli and let them splutter for a minute. Add chopped boiled potato, roasted peanuts and drained sabudana pearls. Toss and cook till the sabudana turns translucent. Keep stirring to prevent the sabudana from clumping. Season the sabudana with black pepper powder and sendha namak. Cook for one more minute and serve.

4. Sweet Potato Chaat

Ingredients required- 2 boiled sweet potatoes, 2 tbsp pomegranate seeds, ½ lemon, ¼ tsp black pepper powder, ¼ tsp dry mango powder and sendha namak as per taste. Method-Peel the boiled potatoes and chop them into bite-szied pieces. Add the sweet potato pieces to a bowl. Add black pepper powder, dry mango powder and sendha namak. Give a toss and add lemon juice. Lastly add pomegranate seeds and give one last mix.

5. Rajgira Halwa

Ingredients required- 1 cup rajgira atta, 1 cup sugar, ¾ cup ghee and 2 cups of water. Method-In a pot, add 2 cups of water and 1 cup sugar. Bring to a boil and once the sugar dissolves, turn off the heat. IN a clean pan, heat ghee. Now add rajgira atta and mix well. Roast the flour and ghee mixture till golden brown in colour. Now add sugar water and mix rigorously. Stir and cook till the mixture attains a halwa-like consistency. Serve the halwa while hot.