Sama ke chawal or moraiyo is also known as barnyard millet. Some people also call it as sawak/swang ke chawal or shyama ka chawal,samvat,vari,varai,morio or jhangora.It is a great source of fiber and b-complex.It also has manganese and antioxidants.This grain is gluten-free.We can consume this during 'Navratri vrat' fasting.I think probably due to its nutrient factor.It helps sustain the energy levels of a person fasting.Usually we fast for 8-9 days,eating only 1 meal,in evening. Another good way of having this millet is Sama ke chawal ka halwa or vrat ke chawal ka halwa. This barnyard millet pudding is made with jaggery. Thus, giving you extra energy.
Here you get a sugar rush using natural sugar. This upvas ka halwa or Navratri halva can also be eaten during Shravan fasting. Apart from halwa, you can also make sama ke chawal ki kheer if you want to make something sweet. Sama kheer is also a wonderful recipe. Try having this instead of having a bland boring 'khichdi'. Here is an easy to cook recipe. It is also gluten-free. This helps you gain essential nutrients. Also, helps you avoid refined sugars. This helps you detox on a fast.
Fasting and Hinduism
Indians do a lot of intermittent fasting. Some fast once a week while others on special days. Usually, we fast on ekadashi(11 th day of the month) or Poornima (Full moon night).There are many who do it once in 6 months. One such fast is that of Navratri. It is a 9 day fasting. We celebrate it twice an year.(Mar-Apr) in spring and (Sep-Oct) in Autumn. Some people also fast on an yearly basis like each Monday in rainy season or Saavan.
Usual diet during fasting
- Most people eat one meal a day. Usually we eat at sunset.
Generally, we eat only gluten-free flours, root vegetables, dairy and fruits. - We can consume only certain spices.
- Ginger, dried mango powder, green chilly and black pepper are allowed.
- We use rock salt instead of sea salt.
Step by Step pictures of the recipe
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Dry roast sama for 12-15 minutes in a pan on a medium flame.
2. Now Add ghee to it and continue roasting it. Roast for another 10 mins.
3. Now add 3-4 cardamoms and crushed almonds.
4. Add chopped jaggery and mix well.
5. Cook for 2-3 minutes until it dissolves.
6. Add warm water and let it cook on a medium flame. Keep on stirring the mix, till the water evaporates and a semi-solid consistency is achieved,
- Turn off the heat. Serve hot.
Read the recipe of Sama halwa-Barnyard millet Pudding
Sama halwa-Barnyard millet Pudding
Ingredients
- 1 cup ‘sama’ or barnyard millet
- ¼ cup ‘ghee’ or clarified butter
- ¼ cup powdered ‘badam’ or almonds
- 3-4 ‘elaichi’ or cardamom
- 1 cup powdered ‘gud’ or jaggery
- 3-½ cup water
Instructions
- Dry roast sama for 12-15 minutes in a pan on a medium flame.
- Now Add ghee to it.
- Roast for another 10 mins.Now add 3-4 cardamoms and crushed almonds.
- Add jaggery and mix well.Cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Add warm water and let it cook on a medium flame.
- Keep on stirring the mix, till the water evaporates and a semi-solid consistency is achieved,
- Turn off the heat.Serve hot.
Looking for more halwa recipes?
- Moong dal halwa
- Gur ka halwa(Suji halwa with jaggery)
- Kada parsad/aate ka halwa
- Gajar ka halwa
- Sooji halwa
- Pumpkin Halwa
- Karachi halwa/Bombay halwa
Note: Only pumpkin halwa and Gajar ka halwa can be eaten during fasting.You can eat Karachi halwa only if you are making it with tapioca starch given in the recipe.
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