Sweet Beginnings: Ras Malai
Ras Malai is a beloved Indian dessert, celebrated for its creamy texture and rich flavor profile. Essentially, it consists of soft, spongy cheese patties
soaked in thickened, sweetened milk, often flavored with cardamom and garnished with nuts. The cheese patties, also known as 'chena,' are made by curdling milk, straining the whey, and then kneading the resulting solids until smooth. These are then shaped into small patties and gently simmered in sugar syrup. The syrup infuses the patties with sweetness and helps them retain their shape. The milk base is created by simmering milk for a long time until it reduces, thickening and concentrating the flavors. Sugar, cardamom, and saffron are often added to enhance the taste and aroma. Finally, the prepared patties are gently submerged in the sweetened milk and allowed to soak, absorbing the flavors and becoming incredibly tender. Garnishing with chopped nuts adds a textural contrast and visual appeal, making it a perfect sweet treat for any occasion, especially Diwali.
Luscious Spheres: Rasgollas
Rasgollas, another iconic Indian sweet, are sponge-like cheese balls that have been soaked in light sugar syrup. These delectable treats are often enjoyed throughout the year and are particularly popular during festivals like Diwali. The preparation involves curdling milk to create 'chena,' similar to Ras Malai. This chena is then kneaded to a smooth consistency and shaped into small, round balls. These balls are then gently simmered in a sugar syrup, which allows them to expand and absorb the sweetness. The key to a good Rasgolla is the texture: it should be soft, spongy, and slightly chewy. The syrup infuses the balls, resulting in a sweet and juicy dessert that melts in your mouth. The light and airy texture of the Rasgollas, combined with the subtle sweetness of the syrup, makes them a favorite among people of all ages. Rasgollas represent sweetness, happiness, and celebrations during Diwali.
Delicate Delights: Cham Cham
Cham Cham is a visually appealing and delicious Indian sweet known for its vibrant colors and delightful flavors. Typically, Cham Cham is made from paneer (Indian cheese), which is kneaded until smooth and then shaped into cylindrical or oval shapes. These shapes are then cooked in sugar syrup, which gives them a soft and spongy texture. The cooked Cham Cham is often flavored with rose water, cardamom, or saffron to enhance its taste and aroma. After cooking, the Cham Cham is often coated with desiccated coconut or garnished with nuts like pistachios or almonds. The combination of the soft, spongy texture, the delicate flavors, and the colorful appearance makes Cham Cham a treat for both the eyes and the palate. They are often enjoyed during festivals and celebrations, adding a touch of elegance to any sweet spread, perfect for Diwali.
Savory Twirls: Thenkuzhal
Thenkuzhal, a traditional South Indian snack, adds a savory element to the Diwali festivities. These crispy, crunchy snacks are made from rice flour, urad dal flour, and various spices, all formed into attractive spiral shapes. The dough is often flavored with sesame seeds, cumin seeds, and asafoetida, which contribute to its unique taste. The dough is then pressed through a special mold to create the distinctive spiral shape. These snacks are deep-fried until golden brown, resulting in a crispy texture that is perfect for snacking. Thenkuzhal is a versatile snack that can be enjoyed on its own or served alongside other festive treats. The combination of the crunchy texture and the savory flavors makes Thenkuzhal a popular choice during Diwali, and it's a great addition to the Diwali snack selection.
Classic Charm: Gulab Jamun
Gulab Jamun is a timeless Indian dessert adored for its soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich sweetness. These deep-fried milk balls are soaked in a fragrant sugar syrup, infused with cardamom and rosewater. The process begins with making a dough from milk solids (khoya), all-purpose flour, and baking powder. This dough is formed into small, round balls and deep-fried until golden brown. The golden-brown balls are then immersed in a sugar syrup that has been flavored with cardamom and rosewater, allowing them to soak up the sweetness and become incredibly soft. Gulab Jamuns are often served warm, and their rich, syrupy goodness makes them an irresistible treat. Their deliciousness and widespread popularity make them an indispensable part of Diwali celebrations across India.
Golden Treat: Badusha
Badusha, also known as Balushahi, is a popular Indian sweet, characterized by its flaky layers and sugary glaze. Made from a dough of all-purpose flour, yogurt, and ghee, the dough is rested, shaped into small disc-like shapes, and deep-fried until golden. The frying process results in the creation of layers, giving the badusha its characteristic texture. The deep-fried badushas are then soaked in a sugar syrup, similar to the process for Gulab Jamun, allowing them to absorb the sweetness and soften slightly. The outer layer becomes slightly glazed and crystalline, while the inside remains soft and flaky. Badushas offer a delightful combination of textures and flavors. Their rich, buttery taste and melt-in-your-mouth feel make them a popular choice for festivals and special occasions, perfectly complementing the festive atmosphere of Diwali.
Faster Version: Milk Powder Ras Malai
Milk powder Ras Malai is a quicker alternative to the traditional version, making it an excellent choice for those short on time. This version uses milk powder to create the cheese patties (chena). This reduces the preparation time significantly. The milk powder is combined with a bit of milk, lemon juice, and other ingredients to create the chena, which is then shaped into patties and cooked in sugar syrup. The patties are soaked in a thickened milk base (kesari milk) flavored with cardamom and saffron. Though quicker to make, milk powder Ras Malai retains the essential characteristics of the classic dessert – the creamy texture and sweet flavor. This quicker version allows you to enjoy the deliciousness of Ras Malai, even when you are pressed for time, making it a good Diwali sweet option.
Fasting Friendly: Vrat Dosa
Barnyard Millet Vrat Dosa offers a special treat for those observing fasts during the Diwali period. This dosa variation is made using barnyard millet flour instead of the regular rice flour. It is a savory pancake or crepe that provides a delicious and fulfilling option for fasting days. The millet flour is mixed with other ingredients like potatoes, cumin seeds, and green chilies, providing a flavorful base. It is then cooked on a griddle until golden brown and crispy. This is a great alternative that provides a familiar taste and texture, with a nod to dietary requirements. This allows people who are fasting during Diwali to enjoy a delicious snack.
Elegant Delight: Kalakand
Kalakand is a rich and creamy Indian sweet, celebrated for its melt-in-your-mouth texture and delicate flavor. Kalakand is traditionally made by slowly cooking paneer or milk solids with sugar, which gives the sweet its characteristic grainy texture. The mixture is cooked down until it thickens and reduces, and then set to cool. Once set, the sweet is often cut into square or diamond shapes and garnished with nuts like pistachios or almonds, adding a touch of visual appeal and textural contrast. The rich, milky flavor and the slightly grainy texture make Kalakand a popular choice. Its unique preparation and delightful taste make it a perfect addition to the Diwali sweet spread. This sweet is a sophisticated dessert for any celebration, showcasing the beauty of Indian culinary art.
Crispy Delights: Savory Snacks
Diwali celebrations are incomplete without a selection of savory snacks, adding a perfect balance to the sweetness. These snacks can include a variety of options, from crunchy chaklis and crispy sev to flavorful mixtures and samosas. These snacks are often seasoned with various spices, which enhance the flavor profile and make them utterly irresistible. The presence of savory snacks balances the sweetness of the other treats, making the Diwali feast more varied and exciting. From the crunch of the savory snacks to the various spices and flavours, these items are a must have for any Diwali celebration, perfect for accompanying all the sweets on offer.
