on Jan 06, 2019, Updated Jul 19, 2020 We all have known through Science, how movement of Earth around the sun results in seasons and variations in the length of days. While the days in winter are shorter and colder, they are longer and warmer in summers. Makar Sankranti is celebrated to mark the day, when the days start to become longer, also known as winter solstice. This is also the day on which sun moves into the Capricorn constellation. According to the Hindu religion, this is the time when the sun starts on it Utarayan (summer solstice) and is considered very auspicious. I remember this day since my childhood, when in North India, we used to look forward to flying kites and gorging on some of the nicest & delicious recipes. Since hundreds of years, this festival has been celebrated with much fanfare. In modern calendar, this festival usually falls on 14th of January. People all over India celebrate this in unique style. In the north, Punjab celebrates Lohri with song and dance around a bon fire. People also distribute sweets, clean their homes and buy new clothes. Rajasthan celebrates Sankranti with people all over flying kites during the day. In South India, Pongal is celebrated in Tamil Nadu with sweet preparations and offerings to the god. Bihu in Assam is celebrated with traditional song and dance. Similarly every state in India celebrates this festival is some form or the other. One thing which stands out in all celebrations is preparation of special dishes. This is where I’ve made a collection of Sankranti Recipes from different regions of India, so we can celebrate the diversity and mark this festival in a perfect way. All you have to do is invite your friends and family and enjoy these perfect recipes. I’m all geared up to celebrate this festival once again with my delicious recipes to guarantee good fortune in the coming year. You too can use these 5 simple tips to prepare for a Healthy & Auspicious Sankranti.
5 Tips to prepare for a Healthy & Auspicious Sankranti
25 Best Sankranti Recipes
Tilgul Poli – Tilgul Poli is a sweet chapatti/flatbread that is typically prepared during Makar Sankranthi. It is sweet, soft, delicious and best enjoyed with ghee. Do include it in your Sankranti Recipes list. Puran Poli – Puran Poli is a sweet flatbread savoured on almost all the occasions in India. It is popular in Gujarat as well as Maharashtra. In Maharashtra, it is prepared by using Chana Dal, however, in Gujarat Toovar Dal is preferred for making it. Make it this Sankranti for a sweet treat. Vegetable Dalia Khichdi – This recipe is super easy to make and tastes delicious. In North India making khichdi is a tradition for Sankranti and this recipe will be a perfect fit. Vegetable Oats Khichdi – Loaded with goodness of oats and vegetables this Vegetable Oats Khichdi is a perfect one pot meal to serve your family. Make this healthy recipe to celebrate Sankranti. Duli Moong Dal Khichdi – Dhuli Moong Dal Ki Khichdi is a rich, nutritious indian style savoury porridge made using rice and lentils. It is often given to kids when they are very young, as the rich protein content is good for growth and energy. This recipe would be a great addition to your Sankranti menu. Ven Pongal – Ven Pongal or Khara Pongal is a spicy & savory rice pongal that is rich, healthy, delicious and savory. Specially prepared during the harvest festival of Sankranti in South India, this tasty porridge is often eaten for breakfast or lunch, either by itself or accompanied by pickle and papads. Sakkarai Pongal – Sakkarai Pongal is prepared by using short grain rice and jaggery which are considered to be healthy ingredients to be consumed during winter. Do make this sweet pongal along with the savoury ones for a delicious end to your meal. Rava Pongal – It is a one pot dish made using rava or sooji and moong dal. It’s a nice variation of the classic Ven Pongal or Khara Pongal and is a delicious South Indian breakfast recipe made in a pressure cooker. If you have made ven pongal enough times, then try this variation this year. Curd Rice – Curd Rice is a delicious south Indian recipe where cooked rice is mixed with curd and a tempering is done to it. It is a full meal in itself and can be had any time of the day. Lemon Rice – Lemon rice is a popular South Indian Rice recipe. The dish is complete in it self or it can be eaten with curd, raita or any chutney and is a wonderful way to use left over rice. A tadka of mustard seeds, lentils, peanuts, cashew nuts and curry leaves is made and is added to the cooked rice. Lemon juice is added at the end to give it a slight tangy taste. Ellu Sadam or Sesame Rice is a traditional Karnataka dish especially made during festivals. In this dish cooked rice is mixed with a spicy powder made primarily using sesame seeds. Here is how to make Ellu Sadam. Tomato Rice – Tomato Rice is a delicious South Indian style rice recipe with bold flavour of tomato. It is super quick to make and can be made using left over rice too. Make it for breakfast, lunch or dinner, it fits it all. Coconut Rice – This South Indian Coconut Rice Recipe is a mildly spiced and light rice dish cooked with fresh coconut. You can pair it with a raita or dal. Chakkara Pongal with Brown rice – Chakkara Pongal is an auspicious sweet dish made on Pongal day. The freshly harvested rice and dal, are cooked along with jaggery for a simple, minimalistic sweet dish to mark the occasion of Pongal, a festival celebrated with much fervour in Tamil Nadu. Make your Chakka pongal healthier by making it with brown rice. Here is a recipe by Nandita of Saffrontrails. Paal Pongal – Paal Pongal is rice and dal cooked in milk. You can either have it plain or add sugar to it. Here is a recipe by Jyothi from Currytrail. Navane Payasa – Just 5 Ingredients and this Navane Payasa or Foxtail millet payasa is ready in 30 minutes. Talk about how healthy it is to indulge, cuz foxtail millet has loads of fibre and is great to gorge on with the festive food. Here is a recipe by Swayampaaka. Tahini Til Gul – Want to try out something super easy and with a twist? Then this Tahini Til Gul made with just 2 ingredients might be your thing. Try out this recipe by Niv from Panfusion. I am sure you all must have enjoyed these Sankranti Recipes and are going to try a few of these this year.
