For Varamahalakshmi Vrat, prepare traditional naivedyam (offerings) without onion or garlic. Essential festive recipes include Paramannam (sweet milk rice with jaggery and ghee), Kosambari (soaked moong dal salad), Sundal (seasoned black or white chickpeas), and Holige/Obbattu (sweet flatbread)
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup raw rice and 1/4 cup split yellow moong dal
- 1 cup milk and 1/2 cup water (plus extra for cooking)
- 1/2 cup powdered jaggery
- 2 tablespoons ghee
- Cashews and raisins for frying
- A pinch of cardamom powder
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Dry roast the moong dal in a pan until it changes color slightly, then wash it together with the raw rice.
- Boil the milk and water in a cooker or heavy-bottom pan, add the rice-dal mix, and cook until soft and creamy.
- Melt the jaggery in a separate small pan with a splash of water to make a simple syrup, then turn off the heat.
- Mix the melted jaggery slowly into the cooked rice-dal mash on low heat.
- Fry the cashews and raisins in hot ghee until golden brown and stir them into the dish along with the cardamom powder.
