Quick Tamarind Chutney
This tangy tamarind chutney is a classic and a must-have for any Diwali spread. To prepare this, you'll need tamarind pulp, jaggery or sugar, roasted cumin
powder, red chili powder, and salt. Begin by soaking tamarind pulp in warm water for about 15-20 minutes to soften it. Then, mash the pulp to separate the seeds. In a pan, combine the tamarind pulp with jaggery or sugar, a pinch of roasted cumin powder, and red chili powder for a touch of heat, and salt to taste. Cook over medium heat, stirring continuously until the chutney thickens. This chutney offers a blend of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors and is perfect with samosas and other fried snacks.
Mint Coriander Chutney
Another refreshing and flavorful choice for your Diwali snacks is mint coriander chutney. To make this refreshing chutney, you'll need fresh mint leaves, coriander leaves, green chilies (adjust to your spice preference), ginger, lemon juice, and salt. Combine all the ingredients in a blender with a little water until you achieve a smooth consistency. The mint coriander chutney provides a vibrant freshness that pairs well with various snacks. It's a great option to balance out the richness of fried foods. Its cool, herby taste will be a welcome addition to your spread.
Coconut Chutney Delight
Coconut chutney is a creamy and versatile dip that's loved across India. To make this, you'll require fresh or desiccated coconut, green chilies, ginger, roasted chana dal (split chickpeas), curry leaves, mustard seeds, and salt. Start by grinding the coconut, green chilies, ginger, and chana dal into a paste with a bit of water. In a separate pan, temper the mustard seeds and curry leaves in oil until they splutter, then pour this tempering into the chutney. The creamy texture and mild sweetness of the coconut complement a range of snacks, and the tempering adds a layer of depth. Serve this chutney with idlis, dosas, and savory snacks.
Spicy Tomato Chutney
For a tangy and spicy option, consider tomato chutney. It's easy to make with ripe tomatoes, onions, garlic, green chilies, ginger, mustard seeds, and a blend of spices like turmeric and red chili powder. Sauté onions, garlic, and ginger until softened. Add the chopped tomatoes, green chilies, and spices. Cook until the tomatoes become soft and the chutney thickens. The spicy tomato chutney will bring a vibrant taste to the party. The combination of sweet, sour, and spice makes it an excellent accompaniment to your festive treats.
Garlic Peanut Chutney
Peanut chutney provides a delicious and nutty taste. For making this, you'll need roasted peanuts, garlic cloves, red chilies, tamarind pulp, and salt. Grind the roasted peanuts with garlic, red chilies, tamarind pulp, and salt until smooth. The nutty flavor and the mild heat from the chilies make it a crowd-pleaser. The garlic peanut chutney offers a rich flavor that's perfect with various snacks. It provides a savory balance to the other sweet or tangy options you'll have on your Diwali table.
Mango Chutney Magic
If you're looking for a sweet and tangy option, mango chutney is the way to go. You’ll need raw or semi-ripe mangoes, sugar or jaggery, ginger, garlic, red chili powder, and vinegar. Cook the grated or chopped mangoes with sugar or jaggery, ginger, garlic, red chili powder, and a dash of vinegar until it thickens. The sweet and sour flavor profile makes it a delectable accompaniment to snacks. The mango chutney is an excellent way to balance the richness of the fried snacks often served during Diwali celebrations.
Date and Walnut Dip
Date and walnut dip is an easy way to provide a creamy and sweet experience. You will need dates, walnuts, cream cheese or hung curd, a pinch of cardamom powder, and honey to taste. Soak the dates to soften them, then blend them with walnuts, cream cheese or hung curd, cardamom powder, and honey until you get a smooth, creamy texture. This dip offers a combination of textures and flavors. Serve it with crackers or vegetable sticks. It will definitely be a unique and refreshing addition to your Diwali party spread, providing a nice contrast to the other spicy and savory items.
Green Apple Dip
For a refreshing dip with a hint of tartness, make a green apple dip. To prepare this, you’ll need green apples, yogurt or sour cream, honey, a squeeze of lemon juice, and a pinch of cinnamon. Grate or finely chop the green apples. Mix them with yogurt or sour cream, honey, lemon juice, and cinnamon. This dip provides a crisp, cool element to the party. The tartness of the apples balances the richness of other snacks. This refreshing dip is a delightful addition to your Diwali treats, offering a contrast of flavors and textures.
Avocado & Cilantro Dip
For a healthy and flavorful option, the avocado and cilantro dip is an excellent choice. This requires ripe avocados, fresh cilantro, lime juice, red onion, a jalapeño (optional), and salt. Mash the avocados and combine them with chopped cilantro, lime juice, finely chopped red onion, jalapeño (if using), and salt. Serve with vegetable sticks or crackers. The creamy texture of the avocado and the freshness of the cilantro create a satisfying dip. It offers a fresh, healthy counterpoint to the more indulgent snacks and is perfect for those seeking lighter options.
Onion and Yogurt Dip
A simple yet flavorful dip can be made with onions and yogurt. You will need finely chopped onions, plain yogurt, a pinch of cumin powder, salt, and black pepper. Sauté the onions until they soften. Mix them with yogurt, cumin powder, salt, and black pepper. The caramelized onion adds depth to the dip and enhances the flavor. This dip provides a creamy and savory element that complements the other flavors on the table. This versatile dip is both easy to prepare and well-loved, making it perfect for your Diwali celebrations.
