Farali Misal (Without Sabudana): Fast Recipe or Upvas ka Khana

Farali Misal is a misal that is eaten on days of fasting, such as Ekadashi. This super simple yet hearty dish is made with boiled potato and a coconut-peanut gravy keeps you full for a long while.

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In South India, fasts strictly mean virtually no food except Phalahaaram which literally means a fruits-only (phala + aahaaram) diet. In fact, a strict Ekadashi fast would mean no food, just water only (and sometimes not even that; such a fast is called a Nirjala Upvas), till the next day (Dwadashi). However, in many parts of Western India, ingredients such as Potato, Sweet Potato, Sabudana, Peanuts etc. are allowed as fasting foods. This has given rise to an entire genre of cuisine called Upwas ka Khana.

There is a separate category of food called Vrat ka Khana that is food served on religious occasions and encompasses rules such as no onion, no garlic recipes and more.

Some Upvas ka Khana Recipes or Fasting Recipes

In Maharashtra, fasting recipes that are popular include:

• Sabudana Khichadi
• Sabudana Vada
• Varaicha Tandul
• Shengdanayachi Amti 
• Sabudana Thalipeeth

Introducing Farali Misal, THE Misal for Ekadashi Fasts

Let me start with a disclaimer, Farali Misal is quite unlike the traditional Kolhapuri Misal or Puneri Misal that are loaded with spices, so let not the name fool you. Does not mean that it is any less in deliciousness, but even so. 🙂

In Marathi, the word misal just means mixture, so I guess the original Misal (if there is any such thing) was presumably a mix of a whole lot of leftovers combined to make a new dish.

Coming back to the Farali Misal, it is essentially boiled potato in a nutty and mellow roasted peanut and coconut gravy that is tempered with ghee, cumin and green chillies. This mix is then topped with Farali Chivda, a crunchy mix made with deep-fried julienned potatoes, roasted peanuts, raisins, and cashews.

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As a result, the ingredients of the Farali Misal make it a filling meal while not compromising on taste in any way. In fact, this Ekadashi Fast recipe is so delicious that you may overeat. In fact, in Maharashtra, there is a saying, “Ekadashi duppat khashi” meaning “You will eat double the usual amount on Ekadashi.” But then if you serve up deliciousness like this, can you blame us?

Variations of Farali Misal

• You could add more body to this Farali Misal by using Sabudana Khichadi as the base. In such a case, first add Sabudana Khichadi to the bowl, then the potato-peanut curry and finally the chivda. If you are using Sabudana Khichadi as a base, make sure it uses no rai or mustard seeds (these are a no-no on fasting days). You may also want to reduce the amount of peanuts in the Khichadi as the potato curry has lots of it.
• You could soak and drain Sabudana as you do for the khichdi, add it with the boiled potato, and cook it in the gravy.
• I have added crushed roasted peanuts to the gravy for crunch. You can add boiled peanuts as well. Do not add raw peanuts as they won’t cook.

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How to Make Farali Misal for Ekadashi Fast (Upvas Ka Khana)

1. Preparing the Potatoes
   1. Boil the potatoes.
   2. Peel and break up into pieces. You can also chop them potato but traditionally, it is broken up by hand. 
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2. Making the Peanut-Coconut Paste
   1. Grind 1/3 cup roasted peanuts, 1/3 Cup Coconut with 1/4 Cup water to a coarse powder.
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3. Making the Farali Misal
   1. In a kadai, heat 1 tbsp ghee.
   2. Add 1 tsp cumin seeds and 1 tsp green chilli pieces.
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   3. Stir-fry for a few seconds till the cumin seeds just start to change colour.
   4. Add the crushed, boiled potato and mix well.
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   5. Stir-fry for a couple of minutes.
   6. Add the peanut+coconut paste and salt. 
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   7. Add about 1.25 cups of water or enough to cover the potatoes.
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   8. Simmer till the gravy thickens a bit.
   9. Turn off the heat.
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4. To Serve:
   1. Ensure that the potato-peanut curry is warm.
   2. Divide the potato-peanut curry into four equal portions.
   3. Top each portion with 1/4 cup of Farali Batata Chivda (potato chivda).
   4. Serve immediately.

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I first posted this recipe for Farali Misal in April 2015 and am now updating it in July 2021.

Recipe for Farali Misal: Fast Recipe or Vrat ka Khana

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Farali Misal (Without Sabudana): For Ekadashi Fast

Aruna

Farali Misal is hearty dish that is made in Maharashtra for Ekadashi Fast. Boiled potato in a coconut and peanut gravy, this dish is served with a generous helping of Farali Chivda or Batata Salli. It is filling and keep those hunger pangs at bay.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Breakfast, Dinner, Fast Recipe, Lunch, Snack

Cuisine Gluten Free, Indian, Maharashtrian, Vegetarian

Servings 4 People

Equipment

• Wok
• Spatula
• Bowl

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 3 Potatoes (Large)
• 1 tbsp Roasted Peanuts
• 1 Cup Water
• Saindha Namak

For the Ground Paste

• 1/3 Cup Roasted Peanuts
• 1/3 Cup Coconut
• 1/4 Cup Water

For Tempering

• 2 Green Chillies (Finely Chopped)
• 1 tsp Cumin Seeds
• 1 tbsp Ghee

For Serving

• 1 Cup Farali Batata Chivda, Potato Chivda, or Batata Salli

Instructions

 

Preparing the Potatoes

• Boil the potatoes.
• Peel and break up into pieces. You can also chop them potato but traditionally, it is broken up by hand.

Making the Peanut-Coconut Paste

• Grind 1/3 cup roasted peanuts, 1/3 Cup Coconut with 1/4 Cup water to a paste. Add more water, if needed.

Making the Farali Misal

• In a kadai, heat 1 tbsp ghee.
• Add 1 tsp cumin seeds and 1 tsp finely chopped green chilli.
• Stir-fry for a few seconds till the cumin seeds just start to change colour.
• Add the crushed, boiled potato and mix well.
• Stir-fry for a couple of minutes.
• Add the peanut-coconut paste, 1 tbsp crushed, roasted peanuts and salt.
• Add about 1 Cups of water or enough to cover the potatoes.
• Simmer till the gravy thickens.
• Turn off the heat.

Serving the Farali Misal

• Ensure that the potato-peanut curry is warm.
• Divide the potato-peanut curry into four equal portions.
• Top each portion with 1/4 cup of Farali Batata Chivda (potato chivda).
• Serve immediately.

Keyword Farali Misal, Misal

Tried this recipe?Do let me know how you liked it @aahaaram or tag #aahaaram!