It is always so challenging to host guests, especially when you are following a sattvic diet during the nine-day celebration of Navratri. Worry not, though! If those sudden guests turn up at your doorstep, you can easily prepare these delightful dishes made with kuttu, or buckwheat flour, known for fasting-friendly properties- versatile, nutritious, and very easy to cook with. You want a snack, you want a main course, or maybe you want a quick dessert; kuttu's got it all. Next time your guests arrive unannounced, don't fret. Present them with these quick kuttu recipes that will amaze them from the first to the last bite. Here are five kuttu recipes that can make hosting easier for Navratri.
Kuttu Cheela
A simple, yet satisfactorily delicious dish, kuttu cheela can be enjoyed absolutely as a quick snack or light meal. It is prepared by mixing kuttu flour and water, rock salt (sendha namak), and a pinch of black pepper. For added flavour, add finely chopped green chilies, grated ginger, and a bit of coriander. Heat a non-stick pan, grease it lightly, and pour a ladleful of batter in it to form a thin pancake. Let it cook from both sides to crispy. Serve the cheela with mint chutney or plain yoghurt for refreshment. This crispiness and lightness in it will much be appreciated by your guests.
Kuttu Pakoras
If your guests are a snack lover of fried things, then kuttu pakoras become your ideal quick fix appetizer. To make a batter, mix kuttu flour, water, rock salt, and spice powder like black pepper and cumin powder. Dip sliced potatoes, spinach leaves, or even paneer in the batter and deep fry to golden brown. These pakoras are crispy on the outside and soft inside. Enjoy them with green chutney or sendha namak seasoned yoghurt.
Kuttu Puri
A staple favourite, kuttu puris are a showstopper during fasting days. Prepare these by making dough with kuttu flour, boiled mashed potatoes, rock salt, and water. Make small balls and flatten them into round puris. Fry them in hot oil till they puff up and turn golden brown. Serve with aloo sabzi or pumpkin sabzi as part of a wholesome meal. Kuttu puris are filling and flavour-rich; they are excellent when you would like to serve something hearty in a jiffy.
Kuttu Dosa
Kuttu dosa is an interesting variation to the South Indian favourite, and it is just as easy to make. For the batter, blend kuttu flour with water, sendha namak, and cumin seeds. Heat up a non-stick tawa, fill the ladle with batter, and spread it thin like making a dosa. Cook until the edges turn crisp, then flip to cook the other side. Serve your kuttu dosa with coconut chutney or tangy tomato chutney while your guests savour every bite.
Kuttu Halwa
Finish on a sweet note by making kuttu halwa, an absolute no-brainer. To make this quick and easy dessert, roast kuttu flour in a pan with ghee till aromatic and golden brown. Put water and sugar (or jaggery) into the pan, stirring constantly. The mixture is to be cooked till it becomes thick of halwa consistency. To give a flavour, sprinkle cardamom powder and garnish with chopped nuts such as almonds or cashews. This warm comforting halwa certainly will satisfy the sweet craving of your guests.