Diwali Special: 5 Best Indian Foods and How to Make Them at Home
Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is a time for family, prayers, decorations and delicious food. Homes are filled with the aroma of sweets and snacks, and many families prepare special dishes to share with guests.
You can make these five popular Diwali treats at home. The recipes use familiar ingredients and are easy to follow.
1. Besan Ladoo
Besan ladoos are sweet, rich and full of roasted gram-flour flavour. They are a Diwali favourite in many Indian homes.
Ingredients
- 2 cups besan (gram flour)
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- ½ cup ghee
- ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder
- 2 tablespoons chopped almonds or cashews
How to make
- Heat the ghee in a heavy pan on low heat.
- Add the besan and roast it slowly, stirring continuously. Cook until it smells nutty and turns golden.
- Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool until it is warm, not hot.
- Mix in the powdered sugar, cardamom powder and chopped nuts.
- Take a small portion and press it between your palms to form a round ladoo.
- Let the ladoos cool completely before storing them in an airtight container.
2. Gujiya
Gujiya is a crisp, crescent-shaped pastry filled with a sweet mixture. It is especially popular during Diwali and other Indian festivals.
Ingredients
For the outer covering
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (maida)
- 4 tablespoons ghee
- Water, as needed
For the filling
- 1 cup khoya (mawa)
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons chopped nuts
- 1 tablespoon raisins
- ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder
- Oil or ghee for frying
How to make
- Mix the flour and ghee until the mixture looks crumbly. Add a little water and knead into a firm dough. Cover and rest it for 20 minutes.
- In a pan, cook the khoya on low heat until lightly golden. Let it cool.
- Mix the khoya with powdered sugar, nuts, raisins and cardamom.
- Divide the dough into small balls and roll each one into a small circle.
- Place some filling in the centre. Fold the circle in half and seal the edges firmly. You can press the edges with a fork or use a gujiya mould.
- Fry the gujiyas on low to medium heat until golden and crisp. Cool before serving.
3. Chakli
Chakli is a crunchy, spiral-shaped savoury snack. It is delicious with tea and can be stored for several days.
Ingredients
- 2 cups rice flour
- ½ cup gram flour
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- ½ teaspoon red chilli powder
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon ajwain
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons melted butter or oil
- Water, as needed
- Oil for frying
How to make
- Mix the rice flour, gram flour, sesame seeds, chilli powder, turmeric, ajwain and salt in a bowl.
- Add melted butter or oil and rub it into the flour mixture.
- Add water gradually and knead into a soft, smooth dough.
- Fill a chakli maker with the dough and press it into spiral shapes on a clean plate or sheet.
- Heat oil on medium-low. Fry the chakli in small batches until crisp and lightly golden.
- Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
4. Namak Pare
Namak pare are crisp, salty bites made from flour and spices. They are simple to prepare and make a tasty snack for visitors.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (maida)
- 3 tablespoons ghee or oil
- ½ teaspoon ajwain
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- Water, as needed
- Oil for frying
How to make
- Mix the flour, ghee, ajwain and salt in a bowl.
- Add water little by little and knead into a firm dough.
- Cover and rest the dough for 15 minutes.
- Roll it into a large, slightly thick circle. Cut it into small strips or diamond shapes.
- Fry the pieces on medium-low heat until crisp and golden.
- Let them cool before serving or storing.
5. Shakkar Para
Shakkar para are sweet, crunchy diamond-shaped pieces. They are made with a few basic ingredients and are loved by children and adults alike.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (maida)
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup water
- 3 tablespoons ghee
- A pinch of cardamom powder (optional)
- Oil for frying
How to make
- Warm the water and dissolve the sugar in it. Let it cool until just warm.
- Mix the flour and ghee in a bowl. Add the sugar water gradually and knead into a firm dough.
- Cover and rest the dough for 15 minutes.
- Roll it into a thick circle and cut it into small diamond shapes.
- Fry on low to medium heat until crisp and golden.
- Cool completely before serving. Store in an airtight container.
Celebrate Diwali with Homemade Food
These five Diwali treats bring together sweet and savoury flavours for a festive table. You can prepare them with family, pack them in small boxes for guests, or serve them with tea after your Diwali celebrations. Use fresh ingredients, fry carefully and allow the snacks to cool before storing.
Wishing you a happy Diwali filled with light, happiness and delicious food!
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