Happy Diwali everyone!
Starting mid October till the end of the year it’s festive season, holidays, celebrations and lots of birthdays in our family. Growing up in India, Diwali was a big deal. New clothes, gifts, beautiful decorations, lights, fireworks, delicious food, sweet treats, laughter, parties, family get together it seems to be happiness and celebration everywhere.
If you’re not familiar with Diwali, it’s a Hindu festival of lights, new beginnings, its celebrated all over India, the subcontinent and it’s diaspora. Diwali has an interesting long Mythological story, but importantly has a beautiful deep meaningful thought. Triumph of good over evil, love over hate, light over darkness, new over old. I love that!
Now let’s talk about the food scene. Diwali has no particular meal spread like Thanksgiving meal. It definitely has a ton of sweet treats, snacks that is homemade or in most cases bought at specialty sweet shops called Mithai stores.
If you’ve never been to an Indian sweet shop it’s worthy of a trip. It’s a bit like stepping into a cake shop where the pastry maker takes great pride in displaying their painstakingly created treats. You can appreciate the love and care taken to produce those jewel toned exotic nut rolls, milk halwas, diamond shaped milk fudges, caramelized milk squares delicately adorned with silver warq (leaf). People line outside the best Mithai shops around Diwali to get their favorite treats and savory snacks. The choosen treats are delicately presented in beautifully decorated boxes to be exchanged with family, friends, coworkers etc. It’s a bit like chocolates or macrons boxed in Artisanal chocolate shops or Laudree.
There are some Diwali favorites sweets called Mithai, like Gulab Jamun, Jalebi, Kalakand, Boondi ladoo, Burfi, Sandesh, Rasgulla, Shakarpare and tons more. I don’t particularly make these treats at home partly because I find them very sweet and partly its too much effort with the exception of a couple. I do however make a Thali, a spread with different savory dishes and a dessert. Every year its a different combination some classic some new recipes.
This year I made a Thali spread of:
For more delicious traditional and contemporary Indian recipes check this link. Here are some of my favorites.
- Gajar Halwa Ladoo
- Gajar Halwa Latte
- Quinoa Almond Ladoo
- Baingan Bharta
- Pistachio Rose Yogurt Tart
- Lentil Veggie Biryani
- Mixed Veggie Pakora
- Baked Gluten free Chivda
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