The falahar or vrat Dhokla recipe is very easy. It is made from Sama Rice – a gluten-free broken rice and Sabudana/tapioca pearls. Scientific name of sama rice is Barnyard Millet which is actually a seed, (of a grass) behaving like rice! No less than a superfood, it is full of digestible fibers, minerals, & vitamins. It provides excellent nourishment and keeps you full the whole day- perfect for fasting.
Both the ingredients are easily available during Navratras in all grocery stores. In fact, you should stock them up as they are not always available the whole year round.
what all you can eat or not eat in Navratri fast
Ingredients for Vrat Dhokla
Sama Rice- 1 Cup
Sabudana/Tapioca Pearls- ⅓ cup
Whisked Curd – 2 tbsp
Water- 2 tbsp
Citric acid- ½ tsp
Lemon Juice- 1 tbsp
Baking powder- 1.5 tsp
Oil – 2teaspoons
Salt to taste
Oil- for greasing &Tempering- 2tbsp
Tempering :-
Green Chilies- 3 no.
Curry leaves- 10-12
Sugar- half tsp optional
water 1 cup
Method:
- To make fasting falahar dhokla, soak sama rice and sabudana pearls in water for 3-4 hrs.
- TIP: Alternatively, this recipe can also be made by dry grinding both samak and sabudana, and then soaking them for 30 minutes.
Drain and grind to a smooth batter.
Add curd and adjust the consistency to a dropping one. Whisk it thoroughly for 2 minutes to make it fluffy and creamy.
Add citric acid or lemon juice, salt and seasoning, and baking powder. Beat it again. This makes a spongy dhokla. ( You may us Eno fruit salt instead of baking powder and citric)
Pour the batter in a greased bowl/ thali and steam for 12-15 minutes.
To check if it is cooked, insert a toothpick. It should come clean. Cool it.
Cut in pieces and garnish with the tempering made with the ingredients given above.
How to make Vrat Chutney
The vrat dhokla recipe also requires a dip or sauce to go with it. Make this green chutney with sattvic ingredients. It is quick and yum. 😋
Vrat Chutney can be made by grinding coriander leaves, green chilies, peanuts, small piece of ginger, tomato, rock salt/ sendha namak and crushed black pepper. For detailed recipe, click here.
Happy sattvic eating and cooking!
Happy Navratri! 😊