7 Best Sawan

Vrat Recipes

With Dairy For Sawan Somwar

Sawan Somwar refers to the Mondays (somwar) that fall during the Hindu holy month of Sawan. Now, Sawan already holds special significance, but the Mondays are considered more sacred for devotess or Lord Shiva. Fasting during this day is believed to express devotion, discipline and spiritual commitment, with many devotees seeking Lord Shiva’s blessings for prosperity, well-being and fulfilment of wishes. During the fast, dairy foods like paneer, curd, and milk provide long-lasting protein and healthy fats that prevent hunger and fatigue. Here are seven dairy dishes for Sawan that you can try. 

A sweet, creamy delight, makhana kheer is made from roasted fox nuts. They are boiled in thickened milk with dry fruits, chana or jaggery, and a hint of cardamom. The dry fruits provide the crunch, the makhana and milk make the thick base, and cardamom gives it that delicious aroma. You can make a big batch of roasted makhana and divide it into different versions – roasted and seasoned for snacking and simmered in milk for this dessert.

Paneer is pretty much the star of Sawan vrat recipes because it can be used in a wide range of dishes, but paneer curry is probably the most fulfilling of the lot. The curry can be made without onions and garlic with this Sawan vrat recipe. Blend soaked cashews with ginger and green chilli and sauté the paste in ghee with cumin and black pepper. Now, add a little water to loosen it, and simmer the paneer cubes in the gravy until heated through. Serve it with a kuttu atta cheela or roti and a side of cucumber raita for a complete meal. 

A kheer can be made from many different ingredients, but milk remains the base. In this case, sabudana (tapioca pearls) are soaked overnight and then used to make kheer. To make this, simmer the soaked sabudans in full-cream milk and a sweetener of your choice (sugar or jaggery). Flavour with cardamom powder, saffron, and chopped nuts. You can serve this as part of a complete thali of Sawan fasting foods or consume it as is for a light but fulfilling meal. 

This is exactly what it sounds like — a milkshake with dry fruits. It’s perfect for breakfast, when you’re looking for a nourishing dish that keeps you full for longer. Blend chilled milk with soaked almonds, raisins, roasted makhana, and saffron strands. Sweeten it lightly with honey and enjoy. If the shake feels too thick, blend in a little extra cold milk or water till it reaches the desired consistency.

Don’t scoff at this one because a vrat custard is very much possible. And it gives you a break from the kheers. This creamy mix is free of gelatin. The custard is made by blending mashed makhana, soaked dry fruits, and milk until smooth. Now, toss fresh seasonal fruits like apples and bananas into the custard and enjoy! Because this is made without custard powder, which usually includes subtle notes of vanilla, you can expect a rich, nutty, and earthy undertone (from the makhanas). Add cardamom powder for an aromatic finish.

One of the most common drinks for Sawan fasting, lassi is made from churning curd. It keeps the body hydrated and energetic and requires kitchen staples. Start by adding fresh, thick curd to a vessel. Now, add sugar for sweetness and cardamom powder for aroma. Beat the curd with the help of a churner or blender until the sugar dissolves completely and foam forms. Add ice cubes or cold water and stir again. You can garnish with chopped nuts for extra crunch or serve it as is, but chilled.

A savoury snack that can be made in an air fryer or even on a tawa, paneer tikka can be made from various marinations. This one keeps things suitable for Sawan Somwar fasting by using a marination of thick yoghurt, ginger, green chilli, cumin powder, black pepper, and sendha namak. Marinate the paneer pieces and thread them onto skewers. Now, roast until lightly charred. Serve hot with vrat-friendly green chutney.

Dairy items are largely permitted during Sawan fasting, but rules vary by households, so always check before consuming. When you follow a Sawan vrat recipe, make sure all ingredients are allowed, cook in special utensils to prevent cross-contamination from prohibited ingredients, and don’t shy away from experimenting with flavours. Also, make sure to stay hydrated, consume small but regular meals, and keep a check on your physical health.