Turn your Navratri fasts into feast with these 2 unique banana recipes
On the fifth day of Navratri, Maa Skandamata is revered, who is the mother of Lord Kartikeya, and she embodies nurturing, protective, and motherly qualities. It is believed that sacred food or bhog made of banana is offered on this day. And you can enjoy too. Here we bring to you two delectable vrat-friendly recipes made of banana – banana pakoras or banana fritters and banana malai kofta curry. Scroll down for the ingredients and the step-by-step guide.
New Delhi: During Indian festivals like Navratri, observing fasts is considered pivotal for spiritual purification, self-discipline, and physical detoxification. It aligns with the Ayurvedic way of life for adapting to seasonal changes and resting the body’s digestive system. For devotees, fasting is a form of devotion to Maa Durga, believed to bring blessings and lead to inner peace, mental clarity, and overall well-being by letting go of negative habits and cultivating positive ones.
On the fifth day of Navratri, Maa Skandamata is revered, who is the mother of Lord Kartikeya, and she embodies nurturing, protective, and motherly qualities. It is believed that sacred food or bhog made of banana is offered on this day. And you can enjoy too. Here we bring to you two delectable vrat-friendly recipes made of banana – banana pakoras or banana fritters and banana malai kofta curry. Scroll down for the ingredients and the step-by-step guide.
1. Banana pakoras or fritters
Banana pakora or banana fritters are easy to make and addictive as well as delicious. You just can’t stop eating one. Here is the list of ingredients and the cooking method.
Ingredients
- 3 semi-ripe bananas
- Chopped coriander leaves
- Coriander powder
- Red chilli powder
- Turmeric powder
- Mango powder
- Salt to taste
- 2 tbsp besan bhujiya sev
- 1 tbsp grated coconut
- 1 cup gram flour
- 2 tsp semolina
- Carom seeds
- Baking soda
- Asafoetida
Cooking method
1. Wash the bananas and trim both ends.
2. Add chopped coriander, crushed bhujiya sev and all the dry spices for the stuffing in a bowl.
3. Combine everything and then sprinkle a few drops of water to bind it properly.
4. Make 1-inch slices of bananas, without peeling the skin.
5. With the help of the tip of a potato peeler, make a cavity in the banana slices.
6. Stuff the spice mixture in the cavity of all the banana slices.
7. Add gram flour, semolina, salt, chilli powder, asafoetida, carom seeds, turmeric, and salt in a bowl and blend well.
8. Add just enough water to make a medium-thick batter of coating consistency.
9. Whisk properly to make it smooth and lump-free.
10. Add a pinch of soda over the batter and then pour 1.5 tsp of hot oil on the soda and mix it well.
11. Heat enough oil in a kadai or deep pan.
12. Remove the peels from the stuffed banana and then dip them into the prepared gram flour batter.
13. Gently drop the pieces in hot oil.
14. Deep fry on medium heat till they become golden and crisp.
15. Drain them on a paper napkin to remove the extra oil and sprinkle some chat masala.
16. It’s done and serves hot with vrat-friendly green chutney and a cup of tea.
2. Banana malai kofta curry
Banana malai kofta curry is so delicious that you will keep licking your fingers. Here is the list of ingredients and the cooking method.
Ingredients
- 1 big boiled raw banana
- 2 medium boiled potatoes
- Green chilli paste as needed
- Chopped green chillies as per need
- Chopped coriander as needed
- Cumin seeds as per need
- Chopped coriander
- Rock salt as per taste
- Sugar as per need
- Roasted cumin powder as per need
- 1 tbsp grated coconut
- 1/4 tsp garam masala
- Water chestnut or buckwheat flour as per need
- Peanut oil as needed for deep frying
- Curd as per need
- Malai or fresh cream as per need
- Red chilli powder as per need
- 1/4 th cup milk
- 5-6 cashew nuts
- 1 tsp sesame or melon seeds
- 2 tbsp fresh tomato puree
- 2 green cardamoms, 1 inch cinnamon, 4 cloves
- 1/4 th cup coconut milk
- Rock salt as needed
- 1 pinch asafoetida
- 1 tsp ghee or clarified butter
Cooking method
1. Wash and cut both ends of the raw banana. Chop and boil with potatoes.
2. Cool and peel the skin of both. Mash them with a masher till smooth. Do not over-boil.
3. Add rock salt to taste, water chestnut or buckwheat flour.
4. Also add grated coconut, green chilli paste, chopped green chillies, coriander leaves, sugar, cumin seeds, garam masala powder and red chilli powder. Mash all to blend well.
5. Add some more water chestnut flour if needed. Divide into 14 to 16 koftas. Toss them in some water chestnut flour and make smooth balls.
6. Heat peanut oil and deep fry them till golden and crispy.
7. For gravy, mix curd, fresh cream, cashew nuts and sesame or melon seeds along with 1/4 cup milk to make a creamy smooth paste. Remove excess oil.
8. Heat 2 tbsp oil and 1 tsp ghee in a wok. Temper it with cumin seeds, half crushed whole garam masalas, and asafoetida.
9. When they splutter, add the paste. Add tomato puree, green chilli paste, red chilli powder, cumin powder, rock salt and sugar to taste.
10. Fry till moisture dries and oil leaves sides. Add 1/4 th cup of warm water and coconut milk and cook till the gravy thickens.
11. Sprinkle garam masala and combine well. Add chopped coriander.
12. Drop the fried koftas in the gravy and simmer for 2 minutes. Serve hot immediately for better taste.
Navratri fasting is about devotion as well as about mindful eating. With two delicious vrat-friendly recipes, make your Navratri 2025 fasting interesting and enjoyable. Happy Navratri!