The elaborate details to which many Indian festivals and the foods associated with these festivals go can be quite stressful. Though smiling, I have seen my mother and my mother in law go through these rituals and traditions year after year and put themselves through a lot of stress to try and align to the strict customs. Though they don’t tend to show it (typical as mothers) you could see the change in their faces.
Festivals are supposed to be fun for all. It is meant to reduce the stress of regular life, isn’t it? This comes up to my mind every festival season. I don’t believe that just my sacrifice makes the festival better, so simplify the requirement and rather spend the day happily (coz I can get pretty grumpy when stressed). That is a win coz we all have time for wishing the best to the other without being grumpy. That’s is how we figured this prasadam platter that is a one fit solution for most festivals.
Components of this naivedyam thali
Lemon rice -the most favoured among the variety rice that we make for festivals is Lemon rice. The yellow hue, the spicy tadka and the lemon flavour put this the first on most naivedyam platters. Alternatively, you can do pulisaadam or puliohare to suit your family.
Bagalabath -most South Indian meals end with a soft-cooked combo of tempered yogurt with a grain. This bagalabath used oats and adds up the flavour with some veggies and fruits added to it. It is mild tasting and filling.
Sundal – sundals appear in most South Indian festivals. Basically, it is a bean-based salad with added coconut or podi. Prep the podi much earlier to make your day easier. Then it is only the cooking of the beans and the spice mix to complete. Choose easier to cook ones, canned ones or sprouts to complete this. At times we do, frozen peas one too to add colour and freshness to the prasadam platter.
Paanakam– the drink that accompanies the meal is jaggery lemonade. Make it early and chill the drink for better results. Usually, the kids make a huge pitcher of this as it keeps well in the fridge and we have some for later.
Payasam– the epitome of prasadam is payasam. If making nothing elaborate, just make payasam as an offering. Keep this a real simple one. I choose to go with semiya payasam or varaguarisi payasam as they are quick to make. You could also swap it over for Panchamritham or Trimadhuram.
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How much time does this naivedyam thali take to make?
If you are multitasking on a 4 point stove this thali takes roughly an hour and a half (4 people). I have used a pressure cooker (instant pot) to cook rice and the beans together, this saves time. There are not many vegetables to tackle, just a bit of grated carrots, grapes and zucchini for the bagalabath. The podi was ready to go as well. Outsource the panakam making to the kids as they have fun with it. Reuse as many pots and pans as you can to save up on the washing.
Making this prasadam platter vegan.
Swapping out a few ingredients will give you a perfect vegan prasadam platter. First, let’s get the dairy out. Swap the yogurt in the bagalabath for coconut yogurt (tried and tested). The next one to change us the milk for the payasam. I would anytime recommend coconut milk for the varagu payasam , if not make this Godhambu nurukku payasam or aval payasam. Both these recipes use coconut milk. Roast the nuts and raisins in coconut oil too. Now that makes this platter easily vegan.
This naivedyam thali may not conform to the strict guidelines of the festivals. However, it fits most of the festivals like Ganesha Chaturthi, Diwali, Navratri, Ugadi etc. It is perfect if you are inviting for “vettalai paaku” or “haldi kumkum”.It is one that is easy to tackle, sumptuous and well received. It covers all the basics and together tastes great. Hope you enjoy this basic prasadam platter.
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Naivedyam thali looks Divine with all the tasty prasadams. Somehow the food tastes so good on festive days even though we don’t taste to check and adjust the salt in between.
I do agree. Festival foods always make up with great flavour and always amazing to see that we cook without taste testing and still tastes spendid
Your Naivedyam thali looks delicious and so balanced with different varieties. We too do the Naivedyam and have a selection of foods we make. It’s so important to share these traditions with family.
I agree, It is very important for the young ones to know what is on in the family, Now my kids are learning to cook and these are ways and means by which I am simplifying the elaborate cooking so they will keep it going.
I do agree festivals become quite stressful and trying to keep up traditions with the changing demands does stretch the lady up quite a bit. However, your Nevidyam thali is something that can be used as you say for any festival. Love it and it is a great way to help new cooks or even experts who are willing to be flexible! 😀
Simple, healthy and tasty that is all we need. I too remember years ago getting stressed out to prepare everything perfectly for festivals and on that day I would be tired. Now I make only dishes that I can comfortably manage and enjoy festivals with the family.
I agree, the epitome is the payasam. I make that first and then weave the entire festival thali around it. this is a great post for organising and plannign the thali !
Lovely prasadam thali for the festive days Seema. My preparations too are something similar. Liked the vegan version options that you have mentioned here.
Delicious and divine neivediyam . Like how you have balanced the flavors and textures . Lemon Rice and sundal combo is my favorite 🙂
Such an informative post. It is indeed good to learn about different traditions.
Good post. Will try my hands on at least one element from your thali during the upcoming festivities.
Naivedyam thali looks nice with all the effort you have taken. It is good you have shared the vegan options here.