Deepavali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than by immersing yourself in the rich tapestry of Indian flavours?
If you’re gearing up to join your Indian friends for a Deepavali open house this weekend, we’ve got your back cause here are the 10 foods you need to know before heading there!
1. Kesari
Kesari is a sweet dish that holds a special place in Deepavali celebrations. The process involves roasting semolina (sooji) in ghee until it’s fragrant and golden.
Boiling water, sugar, and sometimes saffron or food colouring are then added to the roasted semolina to create a rich, sweet concoction. It’s then garnished with cashews and raisins, providing a delightful texture and nutty flavour.
2. Nei Urrundai (Nei Appam)
Nei Urrundai is a sweet dumpling that is made from a batter consisting of rice flour, jaggery, mashed banana, grated coconut, and cardamom.
The batter is then fried in ghee until it becomes golden brown balls. The addition of banana gives it a unique sweetness and a soft, moist interior.
3. Omapodi
Omapodi is a crunchy and flavourful snack made by combining gram flour (besan), rice flour, ajwain (carom seeds), asafoetida, and ghee.
The mixture is then shaped into thin strands using a murukku press and deep-fried until crispy. The carom seeds add a distinct aroma and taste to the snack.
4. Idli
Idli is a staple in South Indian cuisine, especially during festivals like Deepavali. The preparation involves soaking and grinding rice and urad dal to create a smooth batter.
After fermentation, the batter is steamed in special molds to form soft, fluffy rice cakes. These idlis are commonly served with coconut chutney and sambar.
5. Sambar
Sambar is a lentil-based vegetable stew that’s both nutritious and delicious. To prepare sambar, pigeon peas (toor dal) are cooked with a medley of vegetables like moringa (also known as drumsticks), carrots, and brinjal.
To give the dish a tangy flavour, tamarind pulp is added into the stew while a blend of spices like coriander, cumin, and fenugreek seeds contribute to its aromatic profile.
6. Adhirasam
Adhirasam is a traditional sweet treat made during festivals such as Deepavali. The batter consists of rice, jaggery, and cardamom, where it’s deep-fried until it puffs up and turns golden brown.
The fried adhirasam is then soaked in sugar or jaggery syrup, absorbing the sweetness and becoming soft and syrupy.
7. Murukku
Murukku is a savory snack that involves a mixture of rice flour and urad dal flour, combined with cumin seeds, sesame seeds, asafoetida, and butter.
This mixture is then shaped into spirals or coils using a mold and deep-fried until it reaches a crispy texture. Murukku is best known for its unique shape and addictive crunch.
8. Biryani
Arguably one of the most recognisable Indian dishes, biryani is a flavourful rice dish with roots in Mughlai cuisine.
Basmati rice is parboiled and layered with marinated meat (usually mutton or chicken) and aromatic spices. The layers are then slow-cooked, allowing the rice to absorb the flavours of the meat and spices, resulting in a fragrant and delectable one-pot dish.
9. Ghee rice
Ghee rice is a simple yet richly flavoured dish, where basmati rice is sautéed in ghee along with whole spices like cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon.
This process infuses the rice with the aromatic essence of the spices and the richness of ghee, creating a perfect accompaniment to curries and gravies.
10. Mutton curry and chicken curry
These meat curries are prepared with a variety of spices, including coriander, cumin, cardamom, and cinnamon.
Onions, tomatoes, and ginger-garlic paste are then sautéed to form a flavourful base, and the meat is slow-cooked in this aromatic mixture until tender.
As we savour the last flavours, here’s to the joy, togetherness, and delicious memories. Until the next feast, happy Deepavali! 🌟🍲
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