Diwali is immediately followed by a snowballing series of festivities that keep alive and thriving the festive spirit that characterizes the last months of the year. After Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj, between November 5 and November 7, natives of Bihar across the country will celebrate Chhath Puja. While prayers to Lord Surya as well as Chhathi Maiya, the goddess of longevity and prosperity certainly form the essence of the festival, mouth-watering dishes are equally important. So here are some traditional options that you must enjoy as the weeks go by.
thekua
The sweet and earthy Thekua is generally made on the second day of Chhath Puja and offered during prayers to the Sun God. For this, Dassana’s simple recipe is useful for you.
Material: Whole wheat flour – 1.25 cup, fennel – 1 tsp, grated coconut – 1 tbsp, cardamom powder – 1 tsp, ghee – 3 tbsp, chopped jaggery – 1/2 cup, water – 1/4 cup Neutral oil (for frying) – 1.5 cups
Method: Mix flour, salt, fennel, grated coconut and cardamom powder together. Add some hot, melted ghee and mix together until you get a breadcrumb-like consistency. Make jaggery syrup and add it to the mixture to get a sticky consistency. After it cools completely, make small balls of this mixture and flatten them. Now fry them in hot oil and taste it during tea time.
Kaddu Bhaat
The epitome of wholesomeness, a hearty serving of Kaddu Bhaat feels no less than a warm embrace. Check out this simple recipe.
Material: Pumpkin – 500 grams, Red chili powder – 1 tablespoon, Coriander powder – 1 tablespoon, Turmeric – 1/3 tablespoon, Fenugreek seeds – 1/4 tablespoon, Mustard seeds – 1/2 tablespoon, Mango powder – 1/2 tablespoon 4 tbsp, Sugar – 2 tbsp, finely chopped coriander, oil for frying, salt as per taste
Method: Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds, a pinch of asafoetida, fenugreek seeds, turmeric, coriander powder, ginger green chilli paste and red chilli powder. – Add half a cup of water and let it cook for about half a minute. Add chopped pumpkin pieces with salt, close the lid and cook for 8 minutes. When the pumpkin becomes soft, add black salt, sugar and mango powder to it. Remove from flame and garnish with coriander leaves. Serve with hot rice.
Country
While Thekua is offered to Lord Surya, Kasar is offered as Prasad to Chhathi Maiya during the evening Arghya. Equally earthy, this recipe is too simple not to try.
Material: Ground rice – 1 kg, Jaggery powder – 500 grams, Ghee – 1/2 kg, Fennel – 1/2 cup
Method: Simply mix all the ingredients together and shape into laddus. These remain fine for several days.
green food
Very unique adding option to your big Chhath lunch is green gram. Sanjeev Kapoor has the perfect recipe.
Material: Black gram (soaked overnight) – 1 cup, chana masala powder – 2 tbsp, cumin – 1 tsp, chopped onion – 3, green chilli – 2, ginger-garlic paste – 1 tbsp, tomato – 1 , Kashmiri red chilli powder – 1/2 tsp, mango powder – 1/2 tsp, black salt, chopped fresh coriander leaves – 1 cup, chopped fresh mint leaves – 1.5 cup, salt as per taste, juice of one fourth lemon.
Method: Fry onion and chilli with ginger garlic paste in hot oil. Add coarsely chopped tomatoes along with chilli powder, dry mango powder, black salt and chana masala powder. Mix chopped leaves. When it cools down, grind this mixture for your gravy. Meanwhile, pressure cook the gram with a little salt, then mix with the curry. Adjust salt, add lemon juice and enjoy.
gur ki roti
Do you know what a great addition green gram makes when served on top? Some jaggery bread. Don’t miss this simple yet delicious dish. Check out this Tarla Dalal recipe.
Material: Grated jaggery – 1 cup, Whole wheat flour – 2 cups, Oil – 1 tablespoon, Fennel seeds – 1 tablespoon, Grated coconut – 2 tablespoons, A pinch of salt, Ghee for greasing
Method: Mix the jaggery powder with water, cover with a lid and keep aside. Mix the remaining ingredients separately and knead the dough with a little water of jaggery. Leave it like this for 15 minutes. Roll them carefully and cook on a pan applying ghee. Enjoy hot.
Which of these dishes are you looking forward to eating the most?
