Diwali, the festival of lights, holds immense cultural significance in India, bringing families together in joyous celebration. An integral part of Diwali festivities is the preparation and sharing of traditional dishes. These culinary creations not only infuse your home with delightful aromas but also add a special touch to the joyous spirit of Diwali.
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Whether you’re savouring sweet treats or enjoying savoury snacks, these traditional Diwali dishes and their simple recipes are guaranteed to enhance your festive feast and make your celebrations truly memorable. This year, Diwali will be celebrated on November 12. Check out these 5 traditional Diwali dishes and their easy-to-follow recipes.
Samosa
Samosas are popular, deep-fried, savoury pastries enjoyed by people of all ages during Diwali. These triangular pockets of crispy goodness are typically filled with a spiced potato and peas mixture. Here’s a simple recipe to make your own:
Ingredients Required
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup ghee (clarified butter)
- 2 cups boiled and mashed potatoes
- 1/2 cup boiled and mashed peas
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
- Salt to taste
- Oil for frying
Recipe
- Mix the flour and ghee to make a crumbly mixture, then add water to form a stiff dough. Cover and let it rest for 30 minutes.
- In a pan, heat some oil, add cumin seeds, and sauté.
- Add potatoes, peas, coriander powder, chilli powder, and salt. Cook for a few minutes.
- Roll out small portions of the dough into circles, cut them in half, and fold them into a cone shape.
- Fill the cone with the potato-pea mixture and seal the edges.
- Deep-fry the samosas until golden brown.
Besan Ladoo
Diwali is synonymous with an abundance of mithai. From ladoos and jalebi to gulab jamun and barfi, these sweet treats are a highlight of the festival. Here’s a recipe for classic Besan Ladoos:
Ingredients Required
- 1 cup besan (gram flour)
- 1/4 cup ghee
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 tsp cardamom powder
- Chopped nuts for garnish
Recipe
- Heat ghee in a pan and add besan. Roast on low heat until it turns golden brown and aromatic.
- Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
- Add powdered sugar and cardamom powder, and mix well.
- Shape the mixture into small ladoos and garnish with chopped nuts.
Chakli
Chakli, a spiral-shaped crunchy snack, is a must-have during Diwali. It’s made from rice flour and spiced to perfection. Here’s a recipe to try:
Ingredients Required
- 2 cups rice flour
- 1/2 cup urad dal (black gram) flour
- 1 tsp red chilli powder
- 1/2 tsp sesame seeds
- 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
- Salt to taste
- Water
- Oil for frying
Recipe
- Mix rice flour, urad dal flour, red chilli powder, sesame seeds, cumin seeds, and salt in a bowl.
- Add water gradually and knead it into a smooth, pliable dough.
- Fill a chakli press with the dough and make spiral shapes on a greased surface.
- Deep-fry until golden brown and crispy.
Pulao
Pulao is a flavorful rice dish that can be a delightful addition to your Diwali celebrations. Here’s a simple recipe for preparing this meal:
Ingredients Required
- 1 cup basmati rice
- Assorted vegetables (peas, carrots, beans) – 1 cup
- 2 onions, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
- 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
- 2 cloves and 2 green cardamom pods
- 2 cups water
- Salt to taste
- Ghee or oil for cooking
Recipe
- Wash and soak rice for 30 minutes.
- In a pot, heat ghee/oil and add cumin seeds, cloves, and cardamom.
- Add sliced onions, ginger, and garlic. Sauté until the onions turn golden brown.
- Add vegetables and sauté for a few minutes.
- Drain the soaked rice and add it to the pot.
- Add water and salt. Cook until the rice is done.
Gujarati Dhokla
Dhokla is a popular Gujarati snack that is not only delicious but also healthy. Its fluffy, spongy texture and tangy flavour make it an ideal addition to your Diwali menu:
Ingredients Required
- 1 cup besan (gram flour)
- 1/2 cup suji (semolina)
- 1/2 cup yogurt
- 1 tsp green chilli paste
- 1 tsp ginger paste
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp fruit salt (eno)
- Salt to taste
Recipe
- Mix besan, suji, yoghurt, green chilli paste, ginger paste, lemon juice, and salt to form a smooth batter.
- Grease a steaming vessel and pour the batter into it.
- Steam for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cut the dhokla into pieces.
