Here are some traditional Karva Chauth Sargi recipes that can be prepared and enjoyed before the fast begins. These dishes are designed to provide energy and hydration throughout the day.

1. Pheni (Sweet Vermicelli)

Pheni is a popular sweet dish made from vermicelli cooked in milk.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pheni (vermicelli)
• 2 cups milk
• 2-3 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp ghee
• A pinch of cardamom powder
• Sliced almonds and pistachios for garnish

Instructions:

1. Heat ghee in a pan and roast the pheni until golden brown.
2. Boil the milk in a separate pan, add sugar, and stir until dissolved.
3. Add the roasted pheni to the milk and cook until soft, stirring occasionally.
4. Sprinkle cardamom powder and garnish with nuts before serving.

2. Paneer Paratha

Paneer paratha is a filling and nutritious flatbread stuffed with spiced paneer (Indian cottage cheese).

Ingredients:

• 1 cup paneer (crumbled)
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1-2 green chilies (finely chopped)
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1 tbsp chopped coriander leaves
• Salt to taste
• Ghee for cooking

Instructions:

1. Knead the wheat flour with water to make a soft dough and set aside.
2. In a bowl, mix crumbled paneer with cumin seeds, green chilies, garam masala, coriander leaves, and salt.
3. Roll out a small portion of dough into a circle, add a spoonful of the paneer mixture, and fold the dough around it.
4. Roll it out again into a paratha and cook on a hot griddle with ghee until both sides are golden brown.
5. Serve hot with curd or pickles.

3. Dry Fruits and Nuts Laddoo

A power-packed energy bite, these laddoos are made from various dry fruits and nuts.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup mixed dry fruits (almonds, cashews, walnuts, pistachios)
• 1/2 cup dates (seedless, chopped)
• 1 tbsp desiccated coconut
• 1 tbsp ghee

Instructions:

1. Dry roast the mixed dry fruits in a pan for 5-6 minutes and let them cool.
2. Pulse the roasted nuts in a food processor to make a coarse mixture.
3. In the same pan, add ghee and chopped dates. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the dates soften.
4. Mix the nut mixture with the softened dates and desiccated coconut.
5. Roll the mixture into small laddoos.

These dishes are not only delicious but also nutritious, helping to sustain energy throughout the fasting day!