Teej is a vibrant celebration in northern India that marks the arrival of the monsoon season. It is a time to honor the goddess Parvati and her union with Lord Shiva, with women dressing in colorful attire, adorning their hands with henna, and partaking in fasting and communal rituals. This cultural festival creates a joyful and communal atmosphere, where women often observe a day-long fast, sometimes even abstaining from water, as they pray for the well-being of their husbands and a blissful married life.
To add to the festivities, Rohini Patil, MBBS and Nutritionist, has shared three healthy snack recipes that are perfect for celebrating Teej in a delicious and nutritious way.
Roasted Almond Dip with Baked Namakpara is a delightful snack that you can easily prepare at home for the Teej festival. To make the almond dip, you will need roasted and crushed almonds, chopped tomatoes, garlic cloves, basil, lemon, salt, and pepper. For the Namakpara, you will need refined flour, sugar, salt, olive oil, and water. To prepare the dip, crush the tomatoes in a bowl, add diced garlic, and refrigerate before serving. For the Namakpara, prepare the dough, roll it out, bake it in a preheated oven, and serve with the almond dip.
Paneer Badam Ki Tikki is another tasty snack that you can enjoy during Teej. To make this dish, you will need paneer, boiled and mashed potatoes, oil, cumin seeds, green chilies, ginger, turmeric, red chili powder, coriander, almonds, cornflour, and salt. Smash the paneer, blend it with the potatoes, and cook with spices before shaping into patties and rolling in chopped almonds.
Almond Channa Masala is a flavorful and nutritious dish that is perfect for celebrating Teej. This dish features blanched and peeled almonds, sliced onions, ginger strips, green chili strips, olive oil, cinnamon sticks, channa masala, and water. Sauté the onions, ginger, and green chilies in oil, add spices, stir in the almonds, and enjoy this delicious and healthy dish.
These three healthy snack recipes by Rohini Patil are a great way to celebrate Teej in a nutritious and delicious manner. Whether you are observing a fast or simply looking for healthy snack options, these recipes are sure to add flavor and joy to your festivities. Try them out and enjoy a happy and healthy Teej celebration!