Patna : Navratri, the nine-night Hindu festival dedicated to honouring the nine forms of Goddess Durga, is a time of devotion, dance, and culinary delights. Each day is associated with a specific colour, symbolising various virtues and aspects of life. Incorporating sweets that align with these colours can add a meaningful and delicious touch to the celebrations.
Day 1: Royal Blue – Mawa Kheer
Symbolism: Strength and stability
Mawa Kheer, a creamy dessert made from thickened milk and mawa (milk solids), embodies these qualities. Enhanced with Nestlé MILKMAID, it achieves a rich texture and sweetness, making it an ideal offering for the first day.
Quick Recipe:
- Heat 1 litre of milk until it thickens.
- Add ½ cup grated mawa, ½ cup Nestlé MILKMAID, and stir well.
- Mix in cardamom powder and chopped nuts.
- Serve warm or chilled.
Day 2: Yellow – Kesar Rajgira Ladoo
Symbolism: Happiness and energy
Yellow, symbolising happiness and energy, marks the second day. Kesar Rajgira Ladoo, made from amaranth seeds and infused with saffron, captures this essence. These nutritious sweets, sweetened with jaggery and enriched with ghee, provide a wholesome treat that aligns with the festive spirit.
Quick Recipe:
- Roast 1 cup of rajgira (amaranth seeds) in ghee.
- Add ½ cup jaggery syrup and a pinch of saffron.
- Shape into small ladoos and let them set.
Day 3: Green – Lauki Halwa
Symbolism: Growth and harmony
Green signifies growth and harmony on the third day. Lauki Halwa, prepared from grated bottle gourd, milk, and sugar, reflects these themes. The addition of Nestlé MILKMAID enhances its creamy consistency and sweetness, offering a comforting dessert for the occasion.
Quick Recipe:
- Grate 2 cups of bottle gourd and sauté in ghee.
- Add 1 cup milk and cook until soft.
- Stir in ½ cup Nestlé MILKMAID and cardamom powder.
- Cook until thick and garnish with nuts.
Day 4: Grey – Singhara Atta Sheera
Symbolism: Balance and neutrality
Grey, representing balance and neutrality, is the colour for the fourth day. Singhara Atta Sheera, a halwa made from water chestnut flour, embodies this balance. The combination of ghee, sugar, and cardamom creates a simple yet satisfying sweet, perfect for the day’s observance.
Quick Recipe:
- Roast 1 cup singhara atta (water chestnut flour) in ghee.
- Add 1 cup warm milk and ½ cup sugar, stirring constantly.
- Cook until it thickens, then add cardamom and nuts.
Day 5: Orange – Shakarkandi Ka Halwa
Symbolism: Enthusiasm and warmth
The vibrant hue of orange on the fifth day stands for enthusiasm and warmth. Shakarkandi Ka Halwa, crafted from sweet potatoes, ghee, and sugar, mirrors this vibrancy. Its natural sweetness and rich texture make it a festive favourite.
Quick Recipe:
- Boil and mash 2 cups of sweet potatoes.
- Cook in ghee with ½ cup sugar and a pinch of cardamom.
- Stir until halwa thickens, then garnish with almonds.
Day 6: White – Malai Peda
Symbolism: Purity and peace
White, symbolising purity and peace, graces the sixth day. Malai Peda, a soft, melt-in-the-mouth confection made from reduced milk, embodies these qualities. Utilising Nestlé MILKMAID ensures a creamy texture and consistent sweetness, making it a fitting treat for this day.
Quick Recipe:
- Heat 2 cups of milk and reduce to half.
- Mix in ½ cup Nestlé MILKMAID and cook until thick.
- Shape into small pedas and top with saffron strands.
Day 7: Red – Moong Dal Halwa
Symbolism: Energy and passion
Red, the colour of energy and passion, marks the seventh day. Moong Dal Halwa, with its warm, indulgent flavours, captures this spirit. The combination of moong dal, ghee, and Nestlé MILKMAID results in a rich and aromatic dessert, garnished with nuts for added texture.
Quick Recipe:
- Soak 1 cup moong dal, grind into a paste, and roast in ghee.
- Add 1 cup milk and ½ cup Nestlé MILKMAID, stirring continuously.
- Cook until the mixture thickens and turns golden.
Day 8: Sky Blue – Sabudana Kheer
Symbolism: Calmness and inspiration
Sky blue, representing calmness and inspiration, is associated with the eighth day. Sabudana Kheer, made from tapioca pearls, milk, and sugar, reflects this serenity. The addition of cardamom and saffron enhances its flavour, offering a soothing dessert option.
Quick Recipe:
- Soak ½ cup sabudana (tapioca pearls) for 2 hours.
- Boil 2 cups of milk, then add sabudana.
- Stir in ½ cup Nestlé MILKMAID and cook until thick.
- Garnish with saffron and nuts.
Day 9: Pink – Gulab Jamun
Symbolism: Love and compassion
The festival concludes with pink, symbolising love and compassion. Gulab Jamun, deep-fried milk-solid balls soaked in sugar syrup, epitomises these sentiments. Incorporating Nestlé MILKMAID into the recipe ensures a soft texture and rich taste, providing a sweet ending to the Navratri celebrations.
Quick Recipe:
- Knead 1 cup khoya (mawa) with ¼ cup flour.
- Roll into balls and deep-fry in ghee until golden.
- Soak in warm sugar syrup for an hour before serving.
