Why do people fast during Navratris?
Well, besides the religious reasons behind fasting, there are some scientific reasons involved too.
Navratri is celebrated twice a year. Once in the beginning of summer and secondly in the beginning of winter, just when the seasons majorly change. During this time from , it was believed that eating foods like meat, grains, alcohol, onion, garlic etc. attract and absorb negative energies and should be strictly avoided because our bodies tend to have low immunity and are more susceptible to fall sick. So, we fast and avoid these all food items and also worship for cleansing and purification for our body and our mind and soul.
Fasting is also the safest way to shed our extra weight and control the structure of your body. It helps in improving your metabolism rate to burn through calories effectively and it also strengthens your immune system enhancing more healing in your body.
Usually the food that we eat in fasting is gluten free , grain free and meat free. We eat few flours that are made with dried flower and fruits like buckwheat also called Kuttu ka Atta and Singora. We also eat millets in the form of Samo rice or Moriyo.
Samo Rice/ Samak Rice/Moriyo/ Millet is rich in digestible fibers, minerals and vitamins and offers excellent nourishment. Because of its fiber content, it will make you feel fuller for a longer period of time, thus reducing the food intake and helping in portion control and loss of weight.
Making Samak rice Pulav is very easy and the recipe is very simple. No additional spices or flavors are needed, this is a very classic and sober recipe, I must say, but yet so delicious. I made this pulav with Vrat wale Dahi ke Aloo and we all ate this combination in our dinner. Will be posting dahi ke aloo recipe soon too. Lets proceed with the Pulav recipe below.
- Samak Rice- 3/4 cup
- Water- 2 cups
- Sendha Namak ( rock salt)- to taste
- Peanuts-1 tbsp
- Cumin seeds-1tsp
- chopped ginger-1/2 tsp
- boiled and diced potato- 1 medium
- cashews 4-5
- sliced or diced carrot- 1
- green chilies- 1 or 2 (optional)
- Oil- 1.5 tbsp
- Chopped Cilantro or Dhaniya leaves and red chili flakes- to garnish
- wash and clean Samak rice in a strainer under running water and put them in a pan.
- Add the water and let the rice cook on medium flame for 10 minutes. Once the rice are cooked, drain the excess water and keep them aside.
- In a non stick heavy based pan, heat the oil. Once the hot is hot , put the peanuts and fry them till they are crunchy. Take the out and keep aside.
- In the same oil, fry the cashews and take them out too.
- Now in the same oil ,add cumin seeds and let them crackle. Then add ginger, green chilies and stir them. Now add carrots and stir fry them for another 2 minutes. Then add boiled potato and mix well.
- Finally add the cooked rice, salt and mix well. garnish with cilantro leaves and chili flakes and serve with vrat wale dahi ke aloo and enjoy this delicious combination.
- Make sure that you don't overcook the rice other wise the pulav will become mushy.
- Some people don't eat green chilies during fast, they can add black pepper powder for the spice.
- If you eat tomatoes during fast, you can add tomatoes along with carrots.
- If you want to enjoy this pulav as a regular meal ( non fasting) , you can add more spices and vegetables of your choice too.
Excellently executed recipe Swati! Very appealing and so simple ❤️