Navratri delicacies: Explore Healthy Recipes to shed some kilos

It’s that time of the year when nature is decked up in all its glory, the air bears a distinctive odor which calms the mind and keeps reminding us that it’s time to go berserk with happiness, merriness, and celebrations! The wait is over, Navaratri has started and we can’t stop binging on festive foods that are prepared following the traditional ways with loads of sugar and oil. These can be yum to your palate but not so merciful to your waistline. So, this festive season let’s welcome Devi Durga with a healthy twist. Here is summing up all that could help you make the most out of this fasting opportunity and shed some inches. Let’s go ahead towards achieving that drool-worthy body and that much-needed sheen and glow on your face.

Whether you are fasting or having one time meal on Navaratri, you can rely on these festive food recipes that will keep you satiated for longer.

Paneer Tikka

Ingredients

• Paneer cut into cubes- 200 grams
• Red, yellow and green bell peppers- 1 each
• Zucchini green- 1 nos
• Broccoli- 1 nos
• Yogurt (not sour)- 1 cup
• Coriander leaves- 1 bunch chopped
• Lemon juice-3 tablespoons
• Ginger paste- 2 tablespoon
• Garam masala powder- 2 tablespoon
• Red chili powder- 1 tablespoon
• Chaat Masala-1 tablespoon
• Black peppercorns- 6 nos
• Sea salt to taste

Method

Make a smooth paste of coriander leaves. Add all ingredients except curd and blend it well. In a large bowl empty the entire content and add curd. Add paneer pieces in it and marinate for 2-3 hours. In skewers, add broccoli, zucchini, bell peppers, and paneer. Pre-heat oven and grill to a medium temperature till tender from both the sides. Remove from oven and place them on the plate and sprinkle chat masala on it.

Oatmeal Smoothie

Ingredients

• Red Apples peeled and chopped-2 nos
• Milk-4 cups
• Oats- ½ cup
• Pistachios- 10-15 nos sliced
• Almonds- 20 nos
• Vanilla essence- ½ teaspoon
• Honey-2 tablespoons
• Crushed Ice- optional

Method

Ground oats flakes and almonds in a blender. Blend apples, honey and vanilla essence. Mix them with oats and milk. You can add a handful of crushed ice if you want it chilled. Pour into a glass and garnish with sliced pistachios.

Mixed fruit chat

There is nothing better than whole fruits as these are vital sources of fiber, essential nutrients, and antioxidants. It’s as simple as cutting your favorite fruits and adding a nice dressing to it.

Ingredients

• Apples red- 1 diced
• Apple green-1 diced
• Pomegranate- 1 peeled and scraped
• Pear- 1 diced
• Banana- 1 cut
• Papaya-1/2 diced
• Kiwi- 2 cut
• Pineapple-1/2 diced
• Grapes- 20 nos
• Strawberry- 4-5 sliced
• Lemon juice- 2 tablespoon
• Greek/thick yogurt- 1 cup
• Honey- 2 tablespoon
• Chia seeds- 2 tablespoon

Method

Mix all the fruits. Add lemon juice, chia seeds and honey in Greek or any thick yogurt. Pour on the fruit salad. Your yum salad is ready to devour.

Paneer Clear Soup

Ingredients

• Lettuce- shredded into pieces 10
• Paneer-200 grams cut into cubes
• Olive Oil- 2 teaspoons
• Carrot- 1 nos thinly sliced
• Red, green and yellow bell pepper- 1 nos each
• Ginger-Thinly sliced 1 inch
• Chili flakes- 1 teaspoon
• Apple cider Vinegar- 1 teaspoon
• Soy sauce-1 tablespoon
• Vegetable stock- 4 cups
• Brown Sugar-1 teaspoon
• Sea Salt to taste
• Black pepper powder- 1 teaspoon

Method

Heat oil in a pan and sauté paneer cubes till they turn golden brown. Heat a little more oil and stir-fry bell peppers, ginger and carrots for a couple of minutes. Add vegetable stock, soy sauce, brown sugar, chili flakes, salt and black pepper and let it boil. Add cheese and let it boil until tender. Add vinegar and lettuce. Serve hot.

Pumpkin soup

Ingredients

• 150-gram pumpkin- cut into pieces
• 1 apple- diced
• Cinnamon stick- 1 inch
• Brown sugar- 1 teaspoon
• Butter- ½ teaspoon
• Sea salt to taste
• Black Pepper to taste
• Skimmed milk-1 cup

Method

In a pressure cooker, add apple, pumpkin, water, cinnamon stick and cook it till 2 whistles. Then remove it from heat and let it cool completely. Put the entire content in a blender. In a pan, add butter and pour the blended content. Add sugar, a pinch of salt, black pepper, and skimmed milk. Stirring continuously, cook it for a couple of minutes.

Dry Fruit Ladoo

Ingredients

• Unsweetened Khoya-1 cup
• Ghee-2 teaspoon
• Natura Sugar-free powder- 5 tablespoons
• Figs-1/2 cup coarsely ground
• Walnuts-1/4 finely chopped
• Almonds chopped-1/2 cup finely chopped
• Almond powder-1/2 cup for coating
• Saffron strands for garnishing
• Cardamom powder-1 teaspoon

Method

Heat khoya in a pan. Add sugar-free powder and cook for some time. Add cardamom powder and mix well. Remove from heat and cool the mixture. Divide the mixture into equal portions. In a bowl take ground fig, chopped walnuts, almonds, and a pinch of cardamom powder and give a good mix. Divide this mixture equally in portions and make small balls. Take a small amount of ghee in both your palms. Take a portion of khoya mixture and flatten it with your palms. Put the dry fruit mixture balls in it and close the ends to shape them like laddoos. Then, run them through almond powder for coating. Garnish them with saffron strands and sliced almonds. Your dry fruit laddoos are ready to serve.

Now, that you are armed with these delicious and healthy Navaratri recipes, get ready to indulge in a guilt-free festive food expedition. Till then stay healthy, stay fit!