Diwali is synonymous with delicious sweets and snacks, and there are a variety of traditional treats that people enjoy during the festival. Here are some popular Diwali sweets along with easy recipes you can try:
1. Gulab Jamun:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup milk powder
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup ghee (clarified butter)
- A pinch of baking soda
- Milk (as needed to knead the dough)
- Oil or ghee (for deep frying)
For Sugar Syrup:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- A few strands of saffron (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
Instructions:
- Mix milk powder, all-purpose flour, ghee, and baking soda.
- Gradually add milk to form a soft, smooth dough.
- Make small balls from the dough.
- Heat oil or ghee and fry the balls until golden brown.
- In a separate pan, make sugar syrup by dissolving sugar in water and adding saffron and cardamom powder.
- Soak the fried balls in the sugar syrup for a few hours before serving.
2. Besan Ladoo:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups besan (gram flour)
- 1 cup ghee
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
- Chopped nuts for garnish
Instructions:
- Roast besan in ghee until it turns golden brown and aromatic.
- Allow the mixture to cool slightly, then add powdered sugar and cardamom powder.
- Mix well and shape into small round ladoos.
- Garnish with chopped nuts.
3. Kaju Katli:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cashew powder
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon ghee
- Silver leaf (optional, for garnish)
Instructions:
- Blend cashews into a fine powder.
- In a pan, dissolve sugar in water and bring it to a boil to make a syrup.
- Add cashew powder and ghee to the syrup and stir continuously to avoid lumps.
- Cook until the mixture thickens.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased plate, spread it evenly, and let it cool.
- Cut into diamond-shaped pieces and, if desired, garnish with silver leaf.
4. Rava Kesari:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup semolina (rava)
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 cups water
- A few saffron strands
- 1/4 cup ghee
- Chopped nuts for garnish
Instructions:
- Roast semolina in ghee until it turns golden brown.
- In a separate pan, heat water, add saffron strands, and bring it to a boil.
- Slowly add the roasted semolina, stirring continuously to avoid lumps.
- Add sugar and continue stirring until the mixture thickens.
- Garnish with chopped nuts.
Traditional Foods for Diwali:
Apart from sweets, there are also savory snacks and dishes enjoyed during Diwali, such as:
- Chakli: A spiral-shaped savory snack made from a mixture of rice flour, gram flour, and spices.
- Murukku: A crunchy, twisted snack made from rice flour and urad dal flour.
- Namak Pare: Crispy, deep-fried dough squares seasoned with spices.
- Samosa: Triangular pastries filled with spiced potatoes, peas, and sometimes, minced meat.
These recipes provide a starting point for your Diwali preparations, and you can customize them based on your preferences. Enjoy the festivities and the delicious treats!