By Shreya Sarpal
March 23, 2026
A balanced fasting plate with light grains, mild spices, and natural sweetness keeps the body steady through vrat—each element simple, clean, and made without onion or garlic, yet still feeling complete and festive.
1 cup samak rice 2 cups water 1 tbsp ghee 1 tsp cumin seeds 2 boiled potatoes 1 tsp sendha namak ½ tsp black pepper ½ cup roasted peanuts 1 cup curd 2 tbsp sugar
Rinse the samak rice well, then cook it in water until soft, fluffy, and the grains remain separate.
Heat ghee in a pan, add cumin seeds, then toss in boiled potatoes with sendha namak and black pepper until lightly coated.
Coarsely crush roasted peanuts and fold them into the potatoes for added bite.
Whisk curd with sugar until smooth, slightly thick, and gently sweet.
Plate the samak rice with aloo-peanut mix and sweet curd, then offer fresh as bhog.