Crispy Besan Murukku
Besan Murukku, also known as 'Spicy Besan Murukku,' is a popular savoury snack enjoyed during Diwali. It's crafted from gram flour, which is mixed with
spices. This mixture is then shaped into spirals using a murukku press and deep-fried until golden and crispy. The addition of asafoetida provides a distinct flavor. The preparation typically involves creating the dough, pressing it, and frying it to perfection. Besan Murukku offers a delightful crunch and a blend of savory flavors, making it a perfect accompaniment to other festive treats. Serving this on Diwali is a tradition and is enjoyed in almost every household.
Sweet Badusha
Badusha is a traditional Indian sweet with a unique texture. It resembles a small, dense doughnut and has a slightly flaky exterior. The sweet is made from all-purpose flour, ghee, and yogurt. The dough is shaped into small discs, then deep-fried until golden brown. Finally, the fried badushas are soaked in sugar syrup, allowing them to absorb the sweetness and acquire a soft, juicy interior. Badusha are often included in Diwali sweet platters due to their irresistible taste and delightful texture. The process is simple, but it requires patience and precision to achieve the perfect balance of crispiness and tenderness.
Crunchy Mullu Murukku
Mullu Murukku, also known as Muthusaram, is another popular savory snack typically enjoyed during Diwali. This variation of murukku is recognized for its unique, spiky appearance. It is made from rice flour, urad dal flour, and spices. The dough is pressed through a specialized murukku maker, creating the characteristic spiky shape, and then deep-fried until golden and crunchy. The result is a delightfully crisp snack with a pleasant texture. Mullu Murukku is a satisfying treat, great for munching or serving to guests during festive occasions. Its appealing texture and taste make it a staple in many households during the festival.
Creamy Mysorepak
Mysorepak is a decadent Indian sweet that is revered for its rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture. It is made primarily from gram flour, sugar, and ghee. The gram flour is roasted to a golden color, mixed with sugar syrup, and then cooked continuously. The ghee is added in stages, allowing the mixture to caramelize and achieve the characteristic porous texture. The final product is a dense, fudge-like sweet that dissolves in your mouth. Mysorepak is a significant sweet on Diwali and is frequently gifted and shared among friends and family. Its unique texture and blend of flavors make it a beloved treat.
Magizhampoo Murukku
Magizhampoo Murukku, also known as Magizhampoo Thenkuzhal, is a special snack with a distinct appearance. Prepared using rice flour, urad dal flour, and various spices, it’s shaped using a specialized press to produce a flower-like design. Then, it's deep-fried until crisp and golden. The final result is a flavorful, textured snack ideal for festive events. The preparation process ensures a delightful texture and taste, which appeals to snack lovers of every age. The addition of spices and the shaping technique combine to create a visually appealing snack.
Sweet Gulab Jamun
Gulab Jamun is a beloved Indian dessert. These are round, deep-fried dumplings made from milk solids and flour. These fried dumplings are then soaked in a rose-flavored sugar syrup. This process allows the gulab jamuns to absorb the sweet syrup, resulting in a soft, juicy interior. The preparation includes preparing the dough, shaping the dumplings, frying them until golden, and finally soaking them in syrup. Gulab Jamun is a classic dessert served during festive times, including Diwali, and is loved for its unique taste and texture. The combination of sweetness and softness makes it a timeless favorite.
Savory Thattai
Thattai is a crispy, savory snack, particularly popular during Diwali celebrations. It’s made from rice flour, dal, and spices. The ingredients are combined to form a dough, which is then rolled and shaped into small, flat circles. These circles are deep-fried until they become crunchy and golden. Thattai offers a satisfying crunch and a subtle blend of flavors, making it a perfect addition to Diwali snack platters. The preparation is straightforward, and the result is a flavorful, easy-to-make snack that is enjoyed by all ages. It is frequently served as part of a larger assortment of snacks.
Jalebi
Jalebi is a sweet, deep-fried dessert that's popular throughout India. The batter is made from fermented batter, usually made from all-purpose flour. This batter is piped into circular shapes and deep-fried in hot oil until they become crisp and golden. After frying, the jalebis are immediately soaked in sugar syrup, which allows them to absorb the sweetness and achieve a juicy texture. Jalebi is enjoyed hot and is a common sweet treat in India, particularly during festive occasions. The combination of a crispy exterior and a sweet, syrupy interior makes it a truly irresistible dessert.
Delightful Thenkuzhal
Thenkuzhal, another savoury snack, is a staple during Diwali. It's made from rice flour and urad dal flour with the addition of spices. The dough is shaped into coils using a special press, then deep-fried until they achieve a golden, crispy texture. Thenkuzhal offers a satisfying crunch and is a favorite among snack lovers of all ages. This simple snack provides a delightful balance of taste and texture, and is commonly served alongside other festive treats. The preparation involves making the dough, shaping it, and deep-frying it to perfection.
Velvety Ras Malai
Ras Malai is an Indian dessert celebrated for its creamy, rich texture and delicate flavors. This sweet consists of flattened balls of chenna (Indian cheese) soaked in sweetened, thickened milk. The milk is flavored with cardamom and saffron, adding a touch of elegance to the dish. The chenna balls absorb the sweet, creamy milk, becoming soft and fluffy. Ras Malai is often served cold and is a popular choice for festive occasions, including Diwali. Its creamy texture and delicate taste make it a luxurious treat. The preparation involves making the chenna balls, simmering them in sweetened milk, and allowing them to soak up the delicious flavors.