Navaratri is a nine days long festival that is celebrated across India, may be differently in different states. Most people observe fast during these days. On the eighth/ninth day i.e. on ashtami/navami, goddess durga is worshipped and a special prasad or bhog is offered to her. For prasad poori, sooji ka halwa and kala chana are prepared. These dishes when made on ashtami/navmi, taste absolutely different as compared to when made on other days during the year. This could be because a particular and different recipe is followed or may be some other reason, which god knows or may be goddess 🙂
I already have a recipe for sooji ka halwa on the blog but the one i make for ashtami is different. I brown the sooji a lot more than i do it for the regular halwa. This halwa is so delicious with flavour of ghee and few nuts.
Different and simple recipe for kala chana is followed to make kala chana for ashtami. No tomatoes or yogurt etc is added. At times these chana become very dry but this recipe gives absolutely moist and delicious kala chana.
Pooris are part and parcel of every indian festival. Here is a recipe that gives tips for puffed up pooris that remain soft and moist.
