Navrathri Special!!

Wishing you all a very Happy Navrathri!!

Navrathri/Dussehra,a festival which absolutely needs no introduction.I've read many bloggers getting nostalgic about the festival,my experience is also similar.One thing I clearly remember is flaunting Navrathri as "our own festival" among friends.Living in Kerala,we were always given second glances when we said we don't celebrate Onam/Vishu.Then what do you celebrate?was the usual query.Navrathri and Deepavali,I used to say without hestitating.Even now,when someone talks about this,I get so excited!!;-)

Haldi-kumkum,is a custom which we followed religiously and I have continued the tradition.We keep a collection of dolls-golu/kolu,make sundal and sweet and invite people over(and wait for them to invite us;-).We usually keep a basket with betel leaf, supari, haldi, kumkum, coconut, banana,bangles,sacred thread and a one rupee coin.People have made innovations and now some of them keep holy books,blouse piece etc.I remember,I was amma's companion during these trips and I absolutely loved getting so many bangles.One thing I disliked was,yes,being asked to sing.One song,a small song,one line..hmmm.There was one place where all of us loved to go,because that aunty would give us pretty looking notebooks and pencils with erasers.How much we used to love that and almost fought for the better looking lot.Amma felt so embarassed when we did such silly things and we still laugh about it.I could see a similar enthusiasm when I gifted small kids the same..!!!

I badly wanted to do something like Sangeeth,posting daily about the day's sundal and sweet.No,it isn't due to the lack of time.My computer is acting funny these days and I am not able to edit the photos in Picasa(without which the photos look..hmmm) and I don't feel like taking pictures at all..but I did manage to click some and here they are.

The small golu that I kept,thanks to a dear friend who got it for me from Mylapore(Thank you GK) .

A closer view of the Ashtalakshmi idols.

Sheera and Channa upkari.

All set for the days Aarti(and to devour the goodies!)Chavli/Alsande/Karamani Sundal and Beetroot Rava Kesari.

Another look..and the recipe.

Beetroot Rava Kesari

Ingredients

Beetroot grated – 1 cup
Rava – 1 cup
Sugar – 1 cup
Water – 1 ½ cups
Maggi coconut milk powder* - 1 packet-25 gms
Cardamom powder – 1 tsp
Ghee – 4-5 tbsp

Method

In a kadai,add 2-3 tbsp ghee and fry the rava till it starts smelling nice and becomes a golden brown colour.
Add the grated beetroot and mix well.
Add the water and simmer till the rava-beet cooks and the water dries up.
Add the sugar,coconut milk powder and cardamom powder and mix well.
Keep stirring till it forms a big lump.
Add the remaining ghee.
Grease a plate and pour the kesari ito it.
Cool and cut into desired shapes.

*Maggi coconut milk powder adds a wonderful aroma to the kesari without being too dominant.You could skip that one,it tastes great even without it.


A close-up look for the red beauty!!
Channa Upkari and Banana Halwa.
Banana Halwa

Cut ripe banana(nendrapazham)into small pieces and deep fry them in oil till golden brown.Sprinkle sugar,cardamom powder and ghee over it and serve hot!!

Goodies for the ladies!

A closer look!!
Once again,wishing all of you a very Happy Navrathri!!

This one goes to Srivalli for her event JFI-Festival treats!!