About Food Recipes in Diwali 2024

                                                           About  Food Recipes in Diwali  2024                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Diwali 2024: Traditional and Modern Recipes to Celebrate the Festival of Lights

. Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is a celebration of joy, prosperity, and togetherness, observed with grandeur across India and in many parts of the world. One of the most cherished aspects of Diwali is the food! Diwali recipes include a variety of sweets, snacks, and savory dishes that make gatherings even more memorable. Here, we will explore a mix of traditional and contemporary recipes perfect for Diwali 2024, featuring flavors that range from classic mithai to fusion desserts and healthy snacks. These recipes are ideal for any Diwali get-together, providing a vibrant spread of tastes and textures that reflect the spirit of the holiday.

Traditional Sweets for Diwali

Diwali wouldn't be complete without a generous helping of traditional Indian sweets. Here's how to make some beloved mithai that are sure to light up your festival.                                                 1. Gulab Jamun

Gulab Jamun is a crowd-pleaser and one of India's most iconic sweets, featuring milk solids soaked in aromatic sugar syrup.

Ingredients:

1 cup khoya (mawa)

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/8 tsp baking soda

1-2 tbsp milk (as needed)

Oil or ghee for frying

For Syrup:

2 cups sugar

2 cups water

4-5 green cardamom pods, crushed

A few strands of saffron (optional)

Rose water (optional)

Instructions:

Make the Syrup: Combine sugar and water in a pot. Add cardamom and saffron, and bring to a simmer until the sugar dissolves. Turn off the heat and add rose water.

Prepare the Dough: Mix khoya, flour, and baking soda. Add milk as needed to form a soft dough. Divide into small balls, ensuring they are smooth without cracks.

Fry the Jamuns: Heat oil or ghee on low-medium heat and fry the balls until golden brown.

Soak in Syrup: Soak the fried gulab jamuns in warm syrup for at least an hour before serving.2. Kaju Katli (Cashew Fudge)

Kaju Katli is a diamond-shaped treat made from cashew fudge. It's smooth, elegant, and a favorite during Diwali.

Ingredients:

1 cup cashews

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup water

1/4 tsp cardamom powder (optional)

Silver leaf (optional for decoration)

Instructions:

Grind Cashews: Grind the cashews into a fine powder.

Make Sugar Syrup: In a pan, mix water and sugar. Heat until it thickens to a one-string consistency.

Mix Cashew Powder: Add the cashew powder to the syrup and stir until it becomes a smooth dough.

Shape and Cut: Roll the dough between two sheets of parchment paper and cut it into diamond shapes.

3. Besan Ladoo

Besan ladoo is a sweet made from roasted gram flour, ghee, and sugar. It's simple but very popular.

Ingredients:

2 cups gram flour (besan)

1 cup powdered sugar

3/4 cup ghee

1/4 tsp cardamom powder

Chopped pistachios and almonds for garnish

Instructions:                                                                                                                                          Roast Besan: In a pan, heat ghee and roast the besan until it turns golden and releases a nutty aroma.

Add Sugar and Cardamom: Let the mixture cool slightly, then add sugar and cardamom.

Shape into Ladoos: Form into small balls and garnish with nuts.

Savory Snacks for Diwali

Savory snacks balance out the sweetness and are equally important in Diwali celebrations. Here are a few recipes to add a salty crunch to your spread.

4. Mathri (Crispy Fried Crackers)

Mathri is a crispy, flaky snack with a hint of spices and a satisfying crunch.

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup semolina (rava)

1/4 cup ghee

1 tsp carom seeds (ajwain)

Salt to taste

Water for kneading

Oil for frying

Instructions:

Make the Dough: Mix flour, semolina, carom seeds, and salt. Add ghee and rub into the flour until crumbly. Add water gradually to form a stiff dough.

Shape and Fry: Roll out the dough and cut into circles. Prick with a fork, then deep fry on medium heat until golden and crispy.

5. Chakli                                                                                                                                     Chakli is a spiral-shaped, crispy snack made from rice flour and flavored with spices.

Ingredients:

1 cup rice flour

1/2 cup chickpea flour (besan)

1/2 tsp cumin seeds

1/2 tsp sesame seeds

1/2 tsp red chili powder

Salt to taste

Water as needed

Oil for frying

Instructions:

Prepare Dough: Mix rice flour, chickpea flour, cumin seeds, sesame seeds, chili powder, and salt. Add water to make a smooth dough.

Shape and Fry: Use a chakli maker to shape the dough into spirals. Deep fry until golden.

Fusion and Contemporary Recipes

If you’re looking to surprise your guests with something unique, try these fusion recipes that add a modern twist to classic Diwali flavors.

6. Chocolate Samosa

This fusion dessert combines the crispiness of samosas with a sweet chocolate filling.

Ingredients:

1 cup dark chocolate, chopped

1/2 cup condensed milk

1/4 tsp cinnamon powder

Spring roll wrappers or samosa pastry

Oil for frying

Instructions:                                                                                                                                     Prepare the Filling: Melt chocolate and condensed milk together. Add cinnamon and let cool.

Shape and Fry: Place a small amount of filling on each wrapper and fold into samosa shape. Deep fry until golden and crisp.

7. Rose Pistachio Cheesecake

This no-bake cheesecake with rose and pistachio is an elegant addition to any Diwali feast.

Ingredients:

1 cup cream cheese

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 cup whipped cream

1/4 tsp rose essence

1/2 cup crushed pistachios

Crushed digestive biscuits for the crust

Butter for crust

Instructions:

Make the Crust: Combine crushed biscuits with melted butter. Press into the base of a springform pan.

Prepare Filling: Whisk cream cheese, powdered sugar, and rose essence until smooth. Fold in whipped cream.

Assemble and Chill: Pour the filling over the crust, top with pistachios, and refrigerate for 4-5 hours.                                                                                                                                                             Healthy Diwali Snacks and Sweets

For those who want healthier options, these recipes use good ingredients without losing taste.

8. Baked Samosa with Veggie Filling

A healthier version of the popular samosa, this one is baked instead of fried.

Ingredients:

Whole wheat flour for the dough

1 cup mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, potatoes), boiled and mashed

1 tsp garam masala

1/2 tsp cumin seeds

Salt to taste

Instructions:

Prepare Dough: Mix whole wheat flour with a pinch of salt and water to make a soft dough.

Make Filling: Cook cumin seeds, add veggies, and season with garam masala and salt.

Assemble and Bake: Fill dough rounds with the veggie mix, fold into samosa shape, and bake at 180°C until golden.

9. Date and Nut Ladoo

These ladoos are sweetened with dates and full of nut goodness.

Ingredients:

1 cup dates, pitted and chopped

1/2 cup almonds

1/2 cup cashews

1/4 cup walnuts

1 tbsp ghee

IRoasted Nuts: Gently cook the nuts until they are lightly browned, then set them aside.

Blend: In a food processor, mix dates and nuts until they form a sticky paste. Shape this paste into small balls.

10. Quinoa Snack Mix (Savory Mix)

This snack made from quinoa is light, crispy, and full of flavor, perfect for mindful eating.

Ingredients:

1 cup puffed quinoa

1/4 cup roasted peanuts

1/4 cup roasted chickpeas

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

1/2 tsp cumin powder

Salt to taste

1 tbsp oil

Instructions:

Season and Mix: Heat oil in a pan, add turmeric and cumin, then mix in the puffed quinoa, peanuts, and chickpeas.

Toss and Serve: Stir everything together until well mixed. Let it cool before serving.

Beverage Ideas for Diwali

Add some refreshing drinks to your Diwali feast that bring out the festive flavors.

11. Thandai

Thandai is a cool and refreshing drink made with spices and nuts, traditionally enjoyed during celebrations.

Ingredients:

2 cups milk

2 tbsp sugar

1 tbsp thandai spice mix powder: