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The time of Navratri is, in fact, a very sacred period for reflection on the spiritual self; during this time, people fast and abstain from eating onion and garlic. If you are fasting or following a sattvic diet, the challenge lies ahead of how one could possibly create flavour-rich meals without these two staples when one has always relied on masalas bought from store shelves infused with onion and garlic.
But do not worry! You do not need to compromise on taste while celebrating Navratri. Homemade spice mixes are far easier and make sure that your food tastes yummy while being prepared according to the fasting rules. Honestly speaking, by preparing your own masalas, you are in control of the quality and freshness of ingredients used.
Here is how you can create a list of onion and garlic-free variations of common spice mixes, such as Pav Bhaji Masala, Sambar Masala, Rajma Masala, Veg Biryani Masala, and Curry Masala.
Pav Bhaji Masala- No Onion-Garlic Version
Ingredients:
2 tbsp coriander seeds
1 tbsp cumin seeds
1 tbsp fennel seeds
1 tsp black peppercorns
4-5 dried red chillies
1 tsp amchur powder (dry mango powder)
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
1 tsp black salt
Method:Dry roast coriander seeds, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, black peppercorns, and red chillies until fragrant. Let it cool down, then grind into fine powder. Add amchur, turmeric, cinnamon powder, and black salt to the mix. Keep this masala in an airtight jar and you are set for Navratri-friendly Pav Bhaji!
Sambar Masala - No Onion-Garlic Version
Ingredients:
3 tbsp coriander seeds
1 tbsp cumin seeds
1 tbsp mustard seeds
1 tbsp toor dal (pigeon peas)
1 tbsp urad dal (black gram)
6-7 dried red chillies
1 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp fenugreek seeds
1 tsp hing (asafoetida)
Method: Dry roast coriander seeds, cumin seeds, mustard seeds, toor dal, urad dal and red chillies till they turn golden brown. Let cool and then grind into fine powder. Add turmeric, fenugreek seeds and hing powder in this mixture. This homemade sambar masala will lend a rich, tangy flavour to your dishes without any onion or garlic.
Rajma Masala - No Onion-Garlic Version
Ingredients:
3 tbsp coriander seeds
1 tbsp cumin seeds
2-3 dried red chillies
1 tsp black peppercorns
1 tsp cinnamon powder
1 tsp dry ginger powder
1 tsp amchur powder
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp nutmeg powder
Method: Roast coriander seeds, cumin seeds, dried red chilies, and black peppercorns until fragrant. Now grind them into fine powder, add cinnamon, dry ginger, amchur, turmeric, and nutmeg powders. This rajma masala will add warmth and depth to your kidney bean dishes.
Veg Biryani Masala - No Onion-Garlic Version
Ingredients:
2 tbsp coriander seeds
1 tbsp cumin seeds
1 tsp fennel seeds
5-6 cloves
2 cardamom pods
1 small cinnamon stick
2 bay leaves
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp nutmeg powder
Method: Roast coriander, cumin, fennel seeds, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon sticks, and bay leaves until it emits an aromatic fragrance. Let it cool down completely and grind it into fine powder. Add turmeric and nutmeg. Mix well and use this masala with no onion and garlic for your veg biryani.
Curry Masala - No Onion-Garlic Version
Ingredients:
3 tbsp coriander seeds
1 tbsp cumin seeds
1 tbsp mustard seeds
1 tsp fenugreek seeds
4-5 dried red chillies
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp hing (asafoetida)
1 tsp black salt
Method: Roast the coriander, cumin, mustard, fenugreek seeds, and dried red chillies. Powder the mixture finely. Add turmeric, hing, and black salt. This curry masala will work wonders in any dish where you would want to have a rich flavour without onion and garlic.
