When you think of Janmashtami, the first thing that springs to mind is ‘Prasad.' This year's Janmashtami is being celebrated today, i.e., August 30th, to mark the birth of Lord Krishna, Lord Vishnu's eighth avatar. We all know he adores everything sweet, especially made with milk, such as butter, curd, and chaach. That is why he is also known as 'Makhan Chor.' However, Janmashtami is incomplete without Naivedyam, including various foods cooked with milk and butter. So, this year, let's indulge in the festivity 'The Vana Style'. Here's a quick look at the exceptional Janmashtami Menu served at Vana, the Wellness Retreat Dehradun.
Executive Chef Mohan Rawat from Vana Dehradun took us through the buffet and explained everything that's on the plates. "We are picking up things from Mathura and Vrindavan. This is something that Lord Krishna would go behind the sweets and, of course, the makhan and mishri. So on the menu, if you see typically, we're doing his favourite kind, of course, vegetarian. Aloo bhaji is there; we cannot do puri without that, but we're doing. In dessert, we're doing peda, motichoor, paan laddu of course Vana style. Starters on the buffet would have a salad concept, which is not on the menu, but we're doing everyone's favourite chickpea chaat, aloo chaat. We're doing Tahri, and it is between pulao and biryani, which is again everyone's favourite. Then we're doing parantha similar to bedmi, which is puri, but we're doing it like parantha".
STARTERS
Chickpea And Aloo Chaat: Perhaps one of the easiest yet delicious chaat recipes that can be prepared in minutes. It is usually served with lip-smacking chaat masala and chutney and can be served as a healthy salad. The recipe can also be easily enhanced by adding sprouts to prepare a healthy Aloo Chana Chaat recipe.
MAIN COURSE
- Aloo Bhaaji: This recipe is made with mashed and boiled potatoes in a tomato curry base. Unlike other typical Indian curries, it requires minimal ingredients to prepare and only a few minutes to prepare.
- Stuffed Bedmi Style Parantha: Poori and Kachori are often made during festivals, pujas or havans. Generally, whole wheat flour is made by mixing semolina, oil, salt and carom seeds. This delicious bedmi parantha made from urad dal is liked in Delhi and some parts of Uttar Pradesh.
- Tahri: This is a wonderful rice dish cooked by adding mixed vegetables, curd and kasoori methi. Tahri is an excellent option for lunch as well as it can be served at the dinner party as well.
PRASAD
Makhan Mishri: If you've ever gone to Vrindavan, you'll know that this Prasad is served in miniature clay pots with lids. It is believed to be Lord Krishna's favourite. It is simple to create at home by combining homemade white butter/makhan and mishri (sugar crystals). Refrigerate it for an hour once it has been thoroughly mixed.
DESSERTS
- Mathura Ka Peda: It is a traditional Indian sweet made from mawa. This recipe is from the city of Mathura in North India and is mainly made on the occasion of Janmashtami. Unlike white peda, its colour becomes brown due to the roasting of mawa.
- Motichoor Laddu: A tempting laddu made with saffron-coloured boondi pearls. It is a famous sweet mainly prepared for festivals and occasions to be shared with family and friends.
It is essential to add the following dishes to make your Chappan Bhog
- You may include all vegetables to prepare the Sabji. It's not mandatory to cook something specific, and you can choose the main course as per your preference.
- You can add different varieties of delicious homemade or ready-made sweets. In Chappan Bhog, you can add as many desserts as you want.
- Papad, peanuts, sabudana can also be added to the thali along with curd products.
- Dry fruits and chutneys are also included in the thali without any restrictions.
Different people celebrate Janmashtami in various styles, but every form has its unique beauty of the celebration.