Tag: Festival

Meethe Chawal | Saffron Rice | Kesar Pulao

Sweet and fragrant, simple saffron rice or meethe chawal
09/27/2024 12:50:07 PM vindhyadesai

A comeback to blogging after a long hiatus (really long) is difficult. As I sit here at my table and type I am trying to find inspiration from the innumerable food photos I have clicked and the efforts that went into it. Trying to find words and ideas to write a good introduction to this post after a long time makes me think about those initial days of blogging 2016. Now that little ‘S’ is at school full time I will be able to give time to food blogging. It’s been so long and here we are going to learn a very simple dish, sweet saffron rice or meethe chawal. ... “Meethe Chawal | Saffron Rice | Kesar Pulao”

Sweet Potato Halwa | Genasina Halwa | Sweet Recipes

Creamy and delicious, healthy and fibrous sweet potato halwa
04/26/2020 11:35:01 AM vindhyadesai

Sweet potato is such a versatile root vegetable. It is nutritious and healthy and it does not have an overpowering smell. Hence the dish, sweet potato halwa or shakarkandi ka halwa. Halwa originated in the Middle East and travelled to India. And we make all sorts of halwa, carrot halwa, lauki halwa, beetroot halwa, badam halwa etc.
Last year for Holi I was looking for a very simple sweet to make along with Thandai and rose milk. Sweet potato halwa came to the rescue. I had never made it and anyway I had to photoshoot it, so a delicious halwa was made! It was quite easy to make and we loved the soft creamy texture. ... “Sweet Potato Halwa | Genasina Halwa | Sweet Recipes”

Gulab Jamun With Mix | Jamun with instant mix | Sweet Recipe

Soft juicy gulab jamun with mix, the most loved sweet all across our country
11/24/2019 1:01:18 PM vindhyadesai

After a hiatus from blogging for over a month, I am back with a new recipe. This time with the most loved sweet by everyone Gulab Jamun with mix. Yes, you might be thinking what’s so special in making gulab jamun with mix and what is the recipe here. There is not much of a recipe but it is important to pay attention to the proportions to get smooth soft golden gulab jamun.
Gulab jamun with mix makes use of the instant mix available in markets. My favourite is MTR or Maiyas Gulab jamun mix (*this is not a sponsored post). Although I very rarely make use of instant mixes or store-bought mixtures (except some masalas and pickles) gulab jamun with mix is an exception. It’s a weakness for those soft, sweet gulab jamun! Make sure to use fresh gulab jamun mix packet. ... “Gulab Jamun With Mix | Jamun with instant mix | Sweet Recipe”

Kadale Kaalu Usli | Black Chana Sundal | Usli Recipes

Spicy, tangy, loaded with protein and delicious coconut, kadale kaalu usli
10/06/2019 11:26:22 AM vindhyadesai

With Navratri in progress we are all busy with gombe habba/golu. Everyday, for naivedya and distributing prasada to neighbours and friends we need those usli/sundal recipes. along with lots of sweets we need to make fasting recipes for Navratri. So here we are today to learn kadale kaalu usli or black chana usli/sundal.
For any type of usli the main flavouring spices are in the form of fresh flavours, ginger, green chilli, fresh coconut. Then a squeeze of lime/lemon juice makes the usli very flavourful. Ginger is added to any usli to aid in digestion. Many people make usli masala with jeera, pepper etc but I like it just plain, simple and fresh. For kadale kaalu usli also, these are the main ingredients. ... “Kadale Kaalu Usli | Black Chana Sundal | Usli Recipes”

Bhavnagri Gathiya | Gujarati Recipes | Snack Recipes

Crisp with a mild spicy taste, tea-time special Bhavnagri gathiya
09/15/2019 8:22:38 PM vindhyadesai

Come tea-time we have a number of cuisines that offer a great number of snacks to prepare and enjoy. Gujarati cuisine is one of the best of the cuisines to offer a wide variety of snack recipes. It can be anything from dhokla to khandvi or crisp and fun snacks. These special crisp Bhavnagri gathiya is one of the most fun snacks to enjoy at tea-time.
A few simple ingredients and you have fun Bhavnagri gathiya in no time. Here I have made them with a black pepper flavour because of my love for the spice. But you can add red chilli powder or crushed green chilli or garlic. Adding ajwain is important in all besan snacks to aid in digestion. Add hot oil to the dry mixture to make the Bhavnagri gathiya crisp and light. ... “Bhavnagri Gathiya | Gujarati Recipes | Snack Recipes”

Ukkarisida Modaka | Ukadiche Modak | Modaka Recipes

Soft steamed bundles of fun, Ganesha’s favourite, ukkarisida modaka or ukadiche modak
08/30/2019 7:45:51 PM vindhyadesai

Ganesha Chaturthi is near and every food blogger puts in loads of efforts making and presenting different kinds of modak/modaka. I realised I do not have a single post of modaka in over 400+ recipes on FOI. Ganesha’s favourite modak/modaka has to be posted then, for this year’s festival falling on Monday, 2nd Sep of 2019. In my home, we always make everyone’s favourite, bele obbattu/holige. But today we will learn ukkarisida modaka or ukadiche modak.
Ukkarisida modaka or ukadiche modak are steamed modaka with a kayi-bella/coconut-jaggery hoorna/filling. The caramelized coconut-jaggery mixture along with the elaichi makes it very aromatic and flavourful. Now let’s talk about the outer layer, it is very important to get it right. It has a subtle taste and is made with rice flour made into a pliable dough. A pinch of salt is what adds the subtle flavour and seals the deal. ... “Ukkarisida Modaka | Ukadiche Modak | Modaka Recipes”

Mathura Peda | Pedha Recipes | Sweet Recipes

Melt in the mouth Mathura Peda, Sri Krishna Janmashtami special sweet
08/22/2019 3:36:15 PM vindhyadesai

The best things always come in small packages at least in this case, little bundles of joy and fun, Sri Krishna Janmashtami special Mathura Peda. This is one of the best sweets to be made for the festival, Mathura is believed to be the birthplace of our Lord! This is a simple and easy way to make Mathura peda and I am not aware whether this is an authentic recipe but it does taste really good. I love the small size of the pedas and children will absolutely adore them.
Mathura peda has only a few simple ingredients and you have a delicious sweet made in no time. I have used my homemade khoya/khova recipe to make khoya. Generally I make the khoya ahead of time in order to save some energy to actually make the pedas. If I make the khoya in the morning I make the pedas in the evening. This recipe is from my last year’s menu for the festival. ... “Mathura Peda | Pedha Recipes | Sweet Recipes”

Satyanarayana Prasada | Sapada Bhakshya | Baalehannina Sheera

A well balanced sweet, loaded with bananas, raisins & cashews, Satyanarayana Prasada
08/11/2019 6:16:24 PM vindhyadesai

We as children always used line up for different prasada/offering/prasadam during festivals or pooja or other rituals. Some of the favourites being Panchamrutha, Tirupati Ladoo and definitely Satyanarayana Prasada. Satyanarayana prasada or sapada bhakshya is a super special kind of sheera made during Satyanarayana Vratha Pooja. How can it not be delicious when it is made for a special occasion with the best of ingredients!
Many of them do feel intimidated by the thought of making Satyanarayana Prasada. Simply because the occasion can be overwhelming or the fact that you are making it as prasada to distribute to people. But do not fear, there is a simple and easy way to make Satyanarayana prasada. Use good quality ingredients and do not do other things in parallel. Just concentrate on this and the secret is, well are you ready? Ghee! Yes good fresh ghee is essential to make a delicious prasada. ... “Satyanarayana Prasada | Sapada Bhakshya | Baalehannina Sheera”

Panchamrutha | Panchamritha | Festival Recipes

Sweet nectar as naivedya, panchamrutha with bananas & a balance of ingredients
08/06/2019 5:44:27 PM vindhyadesai

Now that Shravana month/masa has started, there are festivals almost everyday. But we cannot make sweets everyday and it is not good to consume so many sweets too. Of course, we do need to offer naivedya during the pooja rituals and what better than a simple yet wholesome ‘Panchamrutha’. Before I write a whole lot I would like clarify that there are many ways in which people make Panchamrutha but this is one way we make at home.
It is about the balance of all ingredients, the 5 nectars , milk, curd, sugar, ghee and honey. Kids and adults alike like this and it is one of the things we used to look forward to during festivals and on visit to temples. It is just a beautiful thing to wait for as the flavours develop as it sits. Panchamrutha is just so satisfying and the sweetness makes your digestive juices to start working before the big meal! ... “Panchamrutha | Panchamritha | Festival Recipes”

Godhi Kuttida Payasa | Daliya Payasa | Payasa Recipes

A creamy delicious Karnataka special godhi kuttida payasa, perfect for festivals
07/11/2019 9:10:24 PM vindhyadesai

Simple payasas are one of the most satisfying sweets out there. Our good old South Indian payasa/payasams are so wholesome. Even though they are sweet, they are filled with nutrition especially the ones made with jaggery. Rich in minerals and fibre, this godhi kuttida payasa or daliya payasa is one of the best.
Godhi kuttida payasa is whole wheat daliya, jaggery mixed with a freshly ground paste of coconut and poppy seeds. Almonds and cashews add richness and raisins add fun to this payasa. And what better than ghee and milk to further enrich this wonderful ‘food of the gods’! A bowlful of this payasa is actually food for the soul. ... “Godhi Kuttida Payasa | Daliya Payasa | Payasa Recipes”