Feast on fasting: Gastronomic guide to Mumbai’s Navratri Farali Thali

Navratri festivity is in the spotlight Mumbaikars are offering prayers to Goddesses and coordinating garba and dandiya steps The highlight feature of this pious period is the Navratri vrat thali which embodies the essence of fasting during the nineday festival It is a devout culinary tradition where individuals abstain from consuming grains certain vegetables and nonvegetarian foodsThe primary focus of Navratri vrat thali is to use ingredients like water chestnut flour amaranth and tapioca to create flavorful and wholesome dishes To scour the most satisfying thali indulgence Midday reached out to the chefs at popular restaurants across Mumbai who are crafting unique dishes for Navratri vrat thalisHere is a roundup of Mumbairsquos droolworthy Navratri Farali ThalisNavratri Special Vrat ThaliThe Vrat Thali is a harmonious blend of nutrition and flavour for the devout and food connoisseurs alike This culinary delight is a wholesome celebration of the festivals essence prepared using Sendha Namak rock salt This thali is a lavish meal of nutrition and taste in one It features an array of satvik dishes each prepared with great care using the finest ingredientsAmong the delectable offerings are a healthy fruit salad savoury farsan tasteful vegetarian subzis and fresh puris or Thali Peth made using Rajgira or Kuttu Atta Crispy papads Rajgira rice and Kadhi add to the delightful spread A comforting serving of dal refreshing fruit curd and Khopra chutney are also included alongside pulao and farali chivda The Thali reaches its sweet crescendo with divine sweets like fruit shrikhand and halwaThis droolworthy plate of delicacies includes Farali Pattice Kuttu Ke Pakode Kaccha Kela Nu Shak Paneer Tomato Jeera Aloo Samo Rice or Ratalu Nu Kis as well as Sabudana Papad Potato Papad Kela Chips Tomato Saar and more The delicious menu is served on a rotational basis ensuring that each visit is a delectable surpriseWhen October 15 to 23 2023Where Khandani Rajdhani ndash Across all Mumbai outletsPrice Rs 625 taxesAlso Read Ratalu to Roesti Mumbai chefs share glutenfree Navratri fasting recipesDivine Delights of NavratriThis Navratri Thali is replete with a variety of snacks and main course dishes that are curated for fasting preferences The thali boasts an assortment of flavours ensuring that you do not miss out on the rich culinary traditions of NavratriIndulge in a myriad of flavours including Roasted Makhana Banana Chips Jackfruit Chips Sabudana Khichdi Sabudana Vada Sabudana Thalipeeth Kuttu Paratha and an array of other delectable dishes Complete your vrat with desserts like Badam Halwa Makhana Kheer Seasonal Fresh Cut Fruit and much moreWhether you choose to enjoy the Navratri Thali for lunch or dinner you will find an optimum balance of taste tradition and nutrition in diverse meals The culinary team offers a savoury experience endowed with rich heritage and festive spirit of the occasionWhen October 15 to 23 2023Where The Westin Garden City GoregaonTime Lunch 1200 PM to 330 PM Dinner 730 PM to 1100 PMPrice Rs 2100 taxesAlso Read Navratri 2023 Flaunt your Garba moves in style with these outfit ideasPotato Roesti and Rataloo SkinsNavratri is a time for fasting reflection and paying homage to the divine It is also a season that brings with it an array of delectable dishes that are not only delicious but also adherent to the fasting rules If youre a vegetarian and eager to celebrate Navratri with a mouthwatering twist head over to the enchanting restaurant and bar Millo nestled in the heart of Kamala Mills offering Roesti and RatalooPotato Roesti is a Swiss culinary delight that showcases the simple yet extraordinary appeal of grated potatoes expertly panfried to create a crispy goldenbrown exterior while maintaining a tender and flavourful core This dish embodies the essence of comfort food offering a harmonious blend of earthy starchy goodness with a touch of buttery richnessOn the other hand Rataloo Skins a popular Indian snack highlights the versatility of potatoes by presenting them as crispy seasoned potato skin strips These savoury bitesized treats feature a delightful crunch and are often seasoned with a medley of spices It serves as a nostalgic snack for those who appreciate the familiar satisfying taste of potatoes in a new and tantalising formWhen October 15 to 23 2023Where Millo Kamala Mills Lower ParelPrice Rs 550 onwardsDurgotsav BhojPlaying on the true essence of serving classical and traditional recipes by giving it a modern touch Chef Jagdish Naidu and Miss Anasuya Banerji have curated an exclusive Bengali food experience called Durgotsav Bhoj Diners can indulge in a diverse range of appetisers including Machher chop Kochuri and Shukno Aloor Dam Fish fry and more as a part of the meal to celebrate Durga PujaThe main course features authentic dishes such as Bhanpa lish Machher Kalia Chingri Phookopi and Jhuri Aloo Bhaja Conclude your meal with the sweet indulgence of Bengali specialties like Mishti Doi and Nolen Gurer RasogullaWhen October 15 to 23 2023Where Ishaara at Palladium Lower Parel and Phoenix Market City KurlaTime Lunch 1200 PM to 300 PM Dinner ndash 700 PM to 1100 PMPrice Rs 1000 onwardsRasotsav Upwas ThaliStart your Navratrotsav culinary journey with our Farali Dosa a delightful blend of sanwa millet and rajgira flour fermented overnight to make crispy Served with tantalising peanut curd chutney its a subtle way to begin your fasting day You can then choose to sweeten your festivities with Shakkarkand Ka Halwa made from boiled and mashed sweet potatoes saffroninfused milk and a dash of gheeNo Vratotsav is complete without a comforting bowl of Sabudana Kheer This creamy delicacy combines sago pearls with saffron cardamom and a medley of nuts in a sweet milk base delivering a truly divine experience For the main course savour the delectable Rajgira Paneer Paratha a nourishing flatbread made with amaranth flour and stuffed with a mixture of fresh paneer green chilies and aromatic spices This paratha pairs perfectly with green chutney and fresh curdFinally conclude your Rasotsav Upvas Thali journey with Upvaas Thalipeeth a flavourful and nutritious flatbread made from rajgira flour grated potatoes and roasted peanuts Its served with a side of zesty green chutney making it a delightful way to wrap up your fasting feast Vratotsav is all about celebrating the beauty of colours and flavours during NavratraWhere Rasotsav Andheri WestTime Lunch 1200 PM to 330 PM Dinner ndash 700 PM to 1130 PMPrice Rs 1000 onwardsNavratra Utsav at Four Seasons Hotel MumbaiThe enchanting festival of Navratri celebrated with fervour and devotion has just received a delectable upgrade at SanQi located in the dynamic Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai From October 15th to October 23rd this luxurious dining destination is offering a specially curated Navratri Thali promising patrons an unforgettable culinary journey steeped in tradition and taste At SanQi the Navratri Thali isnt just a meal its a tribute to the rich culinary heritage of India and an exclusive dining experience that brings together the purity of tradition and the innovation of modern gastronomy The menu is a tribute to Navratris timeless specialties including the everpopular sabudana khichdi and the crispy kuttu ki poori Dessert aficionados will be pleased to find lacha fruit rabdi a sweet delight that ends your meal on a memorable noteWhen October 15 to 23 2023Time Lunch 1200 PM to 300 PM Dinner ndash 700 PM to 1100 PMVenue SanQi Four Seasons Hotel