Amaranth Fruity Pudding/ Rajgira Kheer

EVENT: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP

THEME: #61 ST NAVRATRI  RECIPES

RECIPE: AMARANTH FRUITY PUDDING/ RAJGIRA KHEER

Amaranth Fruity Pudding/ Rajgira Kheer is a healthy, filling, nutritious, creamy pudding that can be enjoyed as a dessert or as breakfast. Loaded with nuts and fresh fruits, it is an absolute treat.

When amaranth is cooked with milk or water, it becomes thick like an oat porridge. Rich in dietary fiber it is a good gluten free breakfast option. To make it vegan, use any nut or soya milk.

Why Should You Include Amaranth In Your Diet?

Certainly because it is gluten free. In fact, amaranth is not a grain but seed so it can consumed when one is fasting. Actually, amaranth is a complete protein as it contains all the amino acids. Also rich in minerals like magnesium, calcium, potassium and iron, amaranth is very healthy. Its a rich source of dietary fibres. Usually amaranth is either consumed as whole seeds, in the flour form or the fresh leaves.

It is known as rajgira in Hindi. The seeds are known as ramdana. Interestingly, Ramdana is known as “God’s Own Grain”.

FoodieMonday/ Bloghop Group

With Navratri just round the corner, the group decided on the theme Navratri Recipes. We could prepare any food that is prepared as an offering (prasadam, naivedyam) for the various forms of Durga Ma. Many people also fast all nine days so we could opt to prepare food consumed during this fasting period.

Navratri celebrations

It is amazing how different states of India celebrate Navratri. Some with poojas and havans, some by laying out different types of miniature dolls depicting the Gods, demi Gods, animals and people. Some prepare huge pandals and worship Goddess Durga with dance and good food.

For Gujaratis its all about garbas and dandiya raas. I miss the small familiar community celebration that takes place every year at the Patel Samaj in Mombasa. This year I’m in Bangalore.

Years back when I was in Bangalore with my daughter, Navratri passed by without much happening. The highlight was a pooja in our society Club house and then Dussera celebration. However, Navratri celebrations have taken on a whole new meaning.

As HSR Layout gets more developed, we saw lots of decorations and more temples celebrating the festival. A Durga Ma pandal was set up and the whole street was lit up making the area look so beautiful and festive.

We’ve just moved to a new home and the society had organised a garba night on Saturday. Chaats and sweets were served and the residents tried out garba steps. Girls and women in pretty chaniya cholis, men in kurtas, Purva Skywood was definitely rocking to the tunes of dola re dola and other songs.

Indeed, bright lights, tasty food and festive decorations all seem dull if you cannot celebrate festivals with loved ones, friends and familiar people. In particular, miss making prasad and garland which I do every year for the deities at Patel Samaj. However, the whole festive community feel at Purva Skywood made up for it and fortunately I was able to prepare a dish as naivedyam for Durga Ma.

Some More Navratri Recipes:

FARALI PAPDI CHAAT

Farali Papdi Chaat is a gluten free way to enjoy the famous Indian Street Food, Papdi Chaat. Mixture of simple ingredients results in a tangy, sweetish, delightful lip smacking snack.

Check out this recipe

FARALI KUTTU KHICHDI/BUCKWHEAT KHICHDI

Farali Kuttu Khichdi or Buckwheat Khichdi is a gluten free, vegan and healthy meal to enjoy as lunch or dinner.

Check out this recipe

FARALI KADHI/MORIYO NI KADHI

Farali Kadhi/ Moriyo ni Kadhi is a delicious, gluten free yogurt based curry made using barnyard millet. Enjoy it with rice, Indian Flatbread or sip it on its own.

Check out this recipe

APPLE KHEER

Creamy, different from rice pudding, easy to make and delectable apple kheer. Perfect for any festival or prepare it to enjoy a healthier dessert. Best served chilled.

Check out this recipe

SAMO/MORIYO KHEER

Gluten free, creamy, delectable Samo/Moriyo Kheer is a pudding that can be enjoyed as a dessert or for breakfast.

Check out this recipe

BEETROOT VADA

Beetroot Vada is a delicious, crunchy, spicy take on the traditional Sabudana Vada. Vada is fritters and in this case roasted or boiled beetroot is added to the mashed potatoes, spices and soaked tapioca pearls mixture.  Ideal as a starter or a snack for Navratri or Ekadashi fasting.

Check out this recipe

Fig and Amaranth Cookies

Thandai Makhana Phirni

Rajgira Thalipeeth

My Recipe For The Theme – Amaranth Fruity Pudding/ Rajgira Kheer

Coming to our what I prepared for the theme, I chose to make a dish that can be enjoyed during Navrati fasting. For Gujaratis Navratri fasting means we cannot eat grains and pulses and quite a number of vegetables. Basically, same rules as the Ekadashi fasting. As a matter of fact, some don’t even consume salt or any grains. Others fast by eating only fruits and milk products.

I’ve got quite a collection of fasting recipes so was lost as to what I should make. Then my daughter reminded that we have amaranth seeds(which she had bought and didn’t know how to use them). “Make something with amaranth”. I’ll be frank, haven’t cooked with amaranth seeds, the flour yes. So first I thought of making amaranth brittle(chikki). The seeds didn’t pop well… more got burnt then popped!

Then came the idea of making a pudding or kheer. The recipes I checked out online all had where the pudding was put in the oven to bake. That gave me an idea, why not make kheer? Anyway we always offer kheer or a sweet dish to the deities for any festival or occasion.

I am so glad I made the pudding or kheer. With fresh fruits and nuts added, it was a filling dish to enjoy.

Ingredients Required For Amaranth Fruity Pudding/ Rajgira Kheer