Sweet Start: Gulab Jamun
Gulab Jamun, a classic Indian dessert, remains a Diwali favorite. To prepare it, you will need milk powder, all-purpose flour, baking powder, ghee, and
sugar. Begin by making the jamun balls: mix the milk powder, flour, and baking powder. Add a little water at a time to form a soft dough. Roll the dough into small, smooth balls. Heat ghee in a pan and fry the jamun balls until golden brown. Make sugar syrup by heating sugar and water until it thickens. Soak the fried jamun balls in the warm syrup for at least an hour. This ensures the jamuns absorb the syrup, becoming soft and juicy. Garnish with chopped pistachios or almonds before serving, and your classic Gulab Jamun is ready to serve.
Coconut Ladoo Magic
Coconut Ladoo is another quick and easy Diwali treat. The ingredients you will need include desiccated coconut, condensed milk, cardamom powder, and ghee. In a pan, lightly toast the desiccated coconut. Add condensed milk and cardamom powder, mixing continuously until the mixture thickens. The mixture should leave the sides of the pan. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly. Grease your hands with ghee and roll small portions of the mixture into round ladoos. You can also add chopped nuts like cashews or almonds for added flavor and texture. This simple and delicious sweet is a perfect addition to your Diwali festivities and is ready in minutes.
Crispy Chakli Delight
Chakli, a savory spiral snack, is a must-have during Diwali. For this recipe, gather rice flour, gram flour, sesame seeds, asafoetida, chili powder, and oil for deep frying. Combine rice flour, gram flour, sesame seeds, asafoetida, and chili powder in a bowl. Add water gradually to make a smooth dough. Heat oil in a deep frying pan. Use a chakli maker or press to shape the dough into spirals directly into the hot oil. Fry the chaklis until they turn golden brown and crispy. Once done, remove them from the oil and drain excess oil using a paper towel. Serve these crunchy chaklis as a perfect savory snack to complement the sweets during the Diwali season.
Murukku: Crunchy Snack Time
Murukku, a South Indian snack, is another delightful addition to your Diwali menu. This recipe requires rice flour, urad dal flour, asafoetida, cumin seeds, sesame seeds, and oil for frying. Soak urad dal overnight, then grind it to a smooth paste. Mix the rice flour, urad dal paste, asafoetida, cumin seeds, and sesame seeds. Add water to make a firm dough. Heat oil in a pan. Use a murukku maker to press the dough into spirals. Fry these spirals in the hot oil until golden and crisp. Serve these homemade murukku with tea or enjoy them on their own. This crunchy snack is loved by all age groups and is perfect for sharing with family and friends.
Kaju Katli: Cashew Perfection
Kaju Katli, or cashew fudge, is a rich and luxurious sweet. You will need cashew nuts, sugar, and water. Grind the cashew nuts into a fine powder. Make a sugar syrup by heating sugar and water until it reaches a one-string consistency. Add the cashew powder to the sugar syrup and mix continuously until the mixture thickens and leaves the sides of the pan. Pour the mixture onto a greased surface and let it cool. Once cooled, roll the mixture into a thin sheet and cut into diamond shapes. You can also garnish with edible silver leaf for a more festive look. Kaju Katli is a delicious treat that adds elegance to any Diwali celebration, perfect for gifting or enjoying with family.
Besan Ladoo Goodness
Besan Ladoo is a classic Indian sweet loved for its rich flavor and easy preparation. The ingredients you will need are gram flour (besan), ghee, sugar, and cardamom powder. In a pan, heat ghee and roast the gram flour until it turns golden brown and releases a pleasant aroma. Be patient, as this process takes time to ensure the ladoos are smooth and delicious. Add sugar and cardamom powder to the roasted gram flour, mixing well. Once the mixture cools slightly, shape it into round ladoos. Decorate with a cashew or almond on each ladoo. Besan Ladoos are perfect for sharing with friends and family during Diwali. The combination of ghee, gram flour, and sugar creates a delightful and satisfying treat that is loved by all.
