A wholesome festive fasting meal that is filled with nutrition & only takes a few mins to create.
It’s that time of the year again when the city is filled with colourful flowers and festive clothes. It is Durga Puja time. Durga puja is an important festival in the Shaktism tradition of Hinduism. As per Hindu scriptures, the festival marks the victory of goddess Durga in her battle against the shape-shifting asura, Mahishasura. Thus, the festival epitomises the victory of good over evil, though it is also in part a harvest festival celebrating the goddess as the motherly power behind all of life and creation.
Over the years, Durga puja has become an inseparable part of Indian culture with innumerable people celebrating this festival in their own unique way while pertaining to tradition.
Indian festivals are all about good food and Durga Puja is no different. The Puka Pandal is surrounded by eateries, chaat stalls, beverages, sweets and what not. Games and rides again play a big role in attracting the crowd. Children come prepared to demand all they want from their parents, they do not hear a ‘No’ to any kind of indulgence. It’s all part of the celebration.
Yet most of the families love to make home made goodies. The celebration goes on for 7 to 8 days where the last day / Ashami is the most essential day of all. Women fast on this day to celebrate the goddess and only eat fruits or uncooked food. Though we 4 siblings never did fasting, we would be eagerly waiting for the delicious meal that my mother makes for her lunch. Knowing our intentions, she surely makes a bigger batch.
Due to the corona virus, this Dussehra I am unable to travel to my home town. So I am making the very same delicious no cooking one pot meal for the goddess and my family.. It’s super delicious and simple. Also once you make it, I am sure you will make it whether it’s a festive season or not.
Prep time | 10-15 mins
Making time | 10 mins
Difficulty level | Beginner
Ingredients
Split moong dal, 100gms
Coconut, ½ cup
Red apple, ½ cup
Banana, ½ cup
Chhena/ home made Indian Ricotta cheese, broken ½ cup
Pomegranate, ½ cup
Salt, 2 pinches
Diluted Jaggery/Jaggery to taste (the dish requires very little sweetness as it’s accompanied by varieties of fruits. This step can be avoided as well)
Cardamom powder, 2 pinches
Cashews, broken 2 tbsp
Saffron, few strands (optional)
The first step in this recipe would be to Soak the split moong dal for 2 ½ to 3 hours. After three hours the daal will grow to more than double the size while being soaked in all the water. Now scrub them thoroughly and rinse 3 to 4 times. During this process most of the moog daal skin will come off naturally.
Getting rid of the skin reduces the bitterness to the dish.
Keep the moong dal aside in a bigger bowl. Now add all the fruits one by one. Add the Chhena, Salt diluted jaggery, cardamom powder And cashews.
Mix them well and our fasting meal is ready. You can add the saffron for garnishing. Though it’s optional it does elevate the taste of dish.
After making this dish I realised that this is a great festive and fasting meal then, a great breakfast bowl or salad today.
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