7 Healthy Kheer Recipes to Try This Navratri

Navratri, the festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga, is a time of fasting and feasting for many. During these nine days, people observe fasts and indulge in vegetarian delicacies. Kheer, a traditional Indian rice pudding, is a popular dessert enjoyed during Navratri. However, traditional kheer recipes are often loaded with sugar and calories. If you're looking to enjoy this festive treat without compromising on your health goals, here are seven healthy kheer recipes to try this Navratri:

Quinoa Kheer:

Ingredients: Quinoa, milk (you can use almond milk for a dairy-free option), jaggery or stevia for sweetness, cardamom powder, chopped nuts (almonds, cashews, pistachios), and saffron strands.

Method: Cook quinoa in milk until it becomes soft and creamy. Add jaggery or stevia to sweeten, and stir in cardamom powder and saffron. Garnish with chopped nuts before serving.

Oats Kheer:

Ingredients: Rolled oats, milk (or any plant-based milk), dates paste or honey, cardamom powder, chopped nuts, and dried fruits.

Method: Cook oats in milk until they are tender. Add date paste or honey for sweetness and cardamom powder for flavor. Garnish with chopped nuts and dried fruits for added texture and taste.

Sama Rice Kheer:

Ingredients: Sama rice (also known as barnyard millet), coconut milk, palm jaggery or coconut sugar, crushed cardamom seeds, and sliced almonds.

Method: Cook sama rice in coconut milk until it thickens. Sweeten with palm jaggery or coconut sugar and add crushed cardamom seeds for aroma. Garnish with sliced almonds before serving.

Almond Milk Kheer:

Ingredients: Almond milk, brown rice, maple syrup or agave nectar, ground cinnamon, raisins, and chopped dates.

Method: Cook brown rice in almond milk until it is soft and creamy. Sweeten with maple syrup or agave nectar and add ground cinnamon for flavor. Stir in raisins and chopped dates for extra sweetness and texture.

Paneer Kheer:

Ingredients: Grated paneer (cottage cheese), milk (or any plant-based milk), stevia or honey, crushed green cardamom, chopped nuts, and rose water.

Method: Cook grated paneer in milk until it thickens. Sweeten with stevia or honey and add crushed cardamom for fragrance. Stir in chopped nuts and a splash of rose water before serving.

Chia Seed Kheer:

Ingredients: Chia seeds, coconut milk, date syrup or maple syrup, vanilla extract, and sliced strawberries.

Method: Mix chia seeds with coconut milk and let it sit for a few hours until it thickens. Sweeten with date syrup or maple syrup and add vanilla extract for flavor. Top with sliced strawberries before serving.

Sweet Potato Kheer:

Ingredients: Grated sweet potato, coconut milk, jaggery or maple syrup, ground cardamom, and chopped pistachios.

Method: Cook grated sweet potato in coconut milk until it softens. Sweeten with jaggery or maple syrup and add ground cardamom for aroma. Garnish with chopped pistachios before serving.

These healthy kheer recipes offer a nutritious twist to the traditional dessert while still satisfying your sweet cravings during Navratri. Enjoy these delicious treats guilt-free and celebrate the festive season with joy and good health!