Sawan Special Recipes for Fasting and Energy

Sawan Special Recipes for Fasting and Energy

Introduction: Nourishment with Devotion

The holy month of Sawan is a period of deep devotion and spiritual cleansing. During this time, devotees of Lord Shiva observe fasts, perform rituals, and engage in introspection. However, with restricted food intake, maintaining energy levels becomes a challenge. Hence, selecting the right recipes not only ensures adherence to religious customs but also promotes physical well-being.

This blog explores nutritious and sattvic recipes specially curated for Sawan fasts. Each dish is simple, quick to prepare, and designed to boost energy without breaking the sanctity of the fast.

Why Choose Special Recipes During Sawan?

Fasting can be physically draining if one is not mindful of nutritional balance. Moreover, the food consumed must adhere to spiritual guidelines, avoiding items like grains, pulses, onion, garlic, and regular salt.

Instead, ingredients such as:

• Sendha namak (rock salt)

• Sabudana (tapioca pearls)

• Makhana (fox nuts)

• Kuttu (buckwheat flour)

• Singhara (water chestnut flour)

• Potatoes, sweet potatoes, fruits, and dairy

…are considered ideal for vrat meals.

So how can one cook delicious yet energizing food using these? Let’s explore.

1. Sabudana Khichdi

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sabudana (soaked overnight)

• 2 boiled potatoes

• 1/2 cup peanuts

• 2 tbsp ghee

• Sendha namak to taste

• Green chilies, chopped

• Cumin seeds (jeera)

• Curry leaves (optional)

Method:

1. Heat ghee, add cumin and green chilies.

2. Add boiled potatoes, sauté.

3. Add soaked sabudana, peanuts, and salt.

4. Cook until translucent. Garnish with coriander.

Energy Tip: Sabudana is high in carbohydrates, making it perfect for maintaining energy during fasts.

2. Kuttu ki Poori

Ingredients:

• 1 cup kuttu flour

• 2 boiled potatoes (mashed)

• Sendha namak

• Green chilies and coriander

• Ghee or oil for frying

Method:

1. Mix flour, potatoes, salt, and chilies.

2. Knead into dough using minimal water.

3. Roll and deep fry into pooris.

FAQ: Can I substitute kuttu flour with singhara flour? Answer: Yes, you can replace or mix both for varied texture.

3. Makhana Kheer

Ingredients:

• 1 cup makhana

• 500 ml milk

• 4 tbsp sugar or jaggery

• Cardamom, saffron

• Dry fruits

Method:

1. Roast makhana in ghee.

2. Boil milk and add roasted makhana.

3. Add sugar and simmer.

4. Add cardamom and dry fruits.

Spiritual Note: This sattvic dessert is perfect as a light, energy-filled offering to Lord Shiva.

4. Lauki (Bottle Gourd) Thepla

Ingredients:

• 1 cup lauki (grated and squeezed)

• 1 cup kuttu or singhara flour

• Green chili, coriander

• Sendha namak

Method:

1. Mix all ingredients to form soft dough.

2. Roll and roast on tawa with ghee.

3. Serve with yogurt or vrat chutney.

Energy Tip: Lauki cools the system and prevents acidity during fasting.

5. Vrat Wale Aloo

Ingredients:

• Boiled potatoes

• Cumin seeds

• Ghee

• Green chili

• Rock salt

Method:

1. Heat ghee, add jeera and chili.

2. Add potatoes and salt.

3. Sauté until golden brown.

Quick Tip: Add lemon juice for taste and digestive ease.

6. Fruit and Dry Fruit Chaat

Ingredients:

• Banana, apple, pomegranate

• Chopped dates, raisins, almonds

• Sendha namak

• Lemon juice

• Mint leaves (optional)

Method:

1. Chop all fruits.

2. Add dry fruits, salt, lemon juice.

3. Mix gently and serve chilled.

Why It Works: Fruits hydrate and provide instant energy. It’s also a good morning or evening option.

7. Singhara Chilla (Pancake)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup singhara atta

• Water (to make batter)

• Green chili, coriander

• Sendha namak

Method:

1. Make a smooth batter.

2. Pour on hot tawa, spread like dosa.

3. Roast both sides with ghee.

Health Note: Singhara is gluten-free and cools the body.

8. Sama Rice Pulao (Vrat Ke Chawal)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sama ke chawal

• Boiled potatoes

• Cumin seeds, ghee

• Peanuts

Method:

1. Heat ghee, add jeera and peanuts.

2. Add potatoes, then sama rice.

3. Add water, salt and cook till done.

Energy Note: Sama rice is rich in fiber and easy to digest.

9. Sweet Potato Tikki

Ingredients:

• 2 sweet potatoes (boiled)

• Sendha namak

• Green chili, coriander

• Roasted peanut powder (optional)

Method:

1. Mash and mix all ingredients.

2. Shape into tikkis.

3. Shallow fry till crisp.

Why Add: Sweet potatoes are naturally sweet, high in fiber, and provide sustained energy.

10. Coconut Ladoo (No Sugar)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups grated coconut

• 1 cup condensed milk or jaggery

• Cardamom powder

Method:

1. Roast coconut lightly.

2. Add condensed milk.

3. Cook till it binds.

4. Roll into laddoos.

Devotional Connection: Offer to Lord Shiva as naivedyam before consuming.

Additional Tips for Healthy Fasting

• Drink plenty of fluids: coconut water, lemon water, buttermilk

• Avoid deep-frying frequently

• Prefer ghee over refined oils

• Maintain fixed meal timings

• Break fast slowly with light fruits or fluids

Common FAQs

Q1. Can I drink tea during Sawan fast? Yes, but avoid adding processed sugar or milk in excess.

Q2. Is it okay to skip meals during fasting? Skipping can lead to fatigue. Have small portions of sattvic food.

Q3. Can children or elderly follow these vrat recipes? Yes, but tailor the spice level and portion sizes accordingly.

Q4. How many meals can one eat during fast? Traditionally one or two light sattvic meals are allowed.

Q5. Can these recipes be consumed even when not fasting? Absolutely! They are healthy, light, and perfect for detox too.

Conclusion: Fasting with Flavor and Balance

Fasting during Sawan is not about starving but about spiritual alignment and bodily purification. With mindful recipes, it becomes a celebration of devotion and health. Each dish above blends traditional values with modern nutrition, ensuring you remain energized and spiritually elevated.

So this Sawan, fast wisely, eat mindfully, and connect deeply with Lord Shiva through purity in food and thought.