Festive Flavours of the Week
The festive week is here, and you know what that means! Lights, laughter, and the irresistible aroma of something cooking in ghee. Forget the store-bought sweets for a bit; this is your cue to tie that apron, channel your inner halwai, and fill your home and heart with homemade goodness.
Sooji Halwa – The OG Comfort Sweet
If Diwali had a fragrance, it would probably be roasted semolina in ghee. Sooji Halwa is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, simple, aromatic, and soul-warming. Just heat up some ghee, roast half a cup of sooji till golden, and add hot sugar water (equal parts sugar and water). Keep stirring till it thickens into that glossy perfection. Finish with cardamom and roasted nuts, and boom! You’ve made nostalgia in a bowl.
Coconut Barfi – Tropical Treat Meets Tradition
Soft, chewy, and subtly sweet, coconut barfi is like a little edible snowflake that screams festive vibes only. Mix grated coconut, sugar, and a splash of milk in a pan and cook till it starts leaving the sides. Sprinkle some cardamom, pour it onto a greased plate, and slice it into squares once set. It’s easy, quick, and dangerously addictive, don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Kheer – The Queen of Festive Desserts
No Indian celebration is complete without kheer. It’s rich, creamy, and full of patience (because good kheer takes time, okay?). Boil milk, toss in soaked rice, and let it simmer on low until the grains are soft and the milk has thickened. Add sugar, saffron, and nuts, and suddenly your kitchen smells like celebration. Pro tip: make extra, because everyone will want “just one more spoon.”
Mathri – Crunchy Snack, Happy Heart
Let’s be honest! After three rounds of sweets, we all crave something salty. Enter mathri, the crispy, flaky snack that pairs perfectly with chai and gossip. Knead flour, semolina, ghee, ajwain, and a pinch of salt into a firm dough, roll into small discs, and fry till golden. They store well for days… if they even last that long.
Bhakarwadi – The Roll With a Twist
Sweet, spicy, tangy, bhakarwadi has it all. It’s like the drama of a daily soap, but in snack form. Make a dough with maida and besan, fill it with a mix of coconut, sesame, chili powder, and a hint of sugar, roll it up, slice it, and fry. Crispy spirals of pure joy that disappear faster than your Diwali bonus.
So this Diwali, light your diyas, blast your playlist, and get cooking! Whether it’s the smooth kheer or the crunchy mathri, each recipe brings a bit of nostalgia, a bit of chaos in the kitchen, and a whole lot of love!