#sev barfi with condensed milk

[arathithings]

FESTIVE SEASON

Making the Diwali sweets and savory items was (and is) time consuming. But at the end of the day, it brought about a different feeling altogether, which market-bought food can never replicate. Maybe, it was the freshness of the ingredients and the love with which they were made, added to the taste.

During Diwali, New Year and Bhai Beej, the whole house teemed with guests from far and wide. While we got gift money, new clothes, sweets and fire crackers, they ate to their heart’s content, often asking for second helpings. I specifically remember that my grandmother’s Mathia papads were a hit with all the guests; we always fell short of them, no matter how many we made! Some of the guests from our native got them packed for the journey back home!

The years have passed and most of us live in nuclear families and lead a hectic lifestyle. Many of us don’t have the time to make everything from scratch and have to depend on the local bakers, sweetmeat shops and supermarkets.  But what hasn’t changed is the fact that our faces bear the largest of smiles merely thinking of the lip-smacking Diwali snacks.

On that note, here are some of the traditional Diwali fare that will surely make you nostalgic.

1. Namakparra and Shakarparra – These are deep fried crispy snacks, which include coconut powder. While Namakparra are savory, Shakarparras are sweet and are staple food during Diwali. Namakparra can also be served with chutney or a dip.

2. Chevdo – Chevdo are basically a mixture of flat rice flakes that are roasted with different spices, groundnuts, dried fruits and other snacks. Different regions of India have a different version of Chevdo. They are often stored in large amounts and served to the guests.

3. Sev – Sev are basically long fried strips of gram flour mixed with spices. These are then broken into small pieces and served as savory snacks. The crisper the sev, the better they taste!

4. Pakoras – Pakoras or fritters are one of the favorites in Diwali or any other festival for that matter. They are made from Bengal gram flour, vegetables and spices and served hot with spicy or sweet chutney.

5. Coconut Barfi – Coconut barfi is a favorite with kids and the adults. The sweet is made from coconut and condensed milk, set and cut in neat squares with silver coating on the top.

6. Gulab Jamun – Gulab Jamun is a spongy sweet fried till it’s golden brown and dunked in sugar syrup flavored with rosewater and saffron.

7. Ghughra – Ghughra is a fried pastry, which is stuffed with dry fruits, sugar and desiccated coconut. Some parts of the country also calls these as Karanji.

8. Halwa – Halwa is a sweet made from semolina and clarified butter. There are several varieties of this sweet dish. The semolina can also be replaced by vegetables such as carrot or bottle guard and garnished with dry fruits and saffron.

9. Kheer – Just like halwa, kheer is another traditional Diwali sweet that has many varieties. In other parts of the country, it is also called Payesh or Payasam.

10. Jalebi – Jalebis are crisp sweets that are dipped in saffron flavored syrup and is a seasonal favorite.

11. Badam Barfi – This Indian sweet is fudge made from almonds, sugar and ghee. It’s a staple in many households during the festivities.

12. Kaju Barfi – Just like Badam Barfi, Kaju Barfi or Kaju Katli are another Diwali staple, made from cashew, sugar and ghee.

13. Laddoos – Laddoos are round sweets that are a part of almost every Indian household. Made from besan, boondi, dates, coconut and many other ingredients, these are also served as Prasad or offerings to the deities.

14. Samosa – No Diwali food list, especially in North India is complete without Samosas. The triangular delicacies are generally stuffed with potato and spices and deep fried.

15. Kachoris – Kachoris are round pastries stuffed with lentils or mawa and served with condiments.

16. Aloo Tikki – Aloo tikki are fried potato cakes accompanies with generous amounts of chutney, chopped onions and coriander that adds to the yumminess.

17. Cholafali – Cholafali is a traditional snack in Gujarat and is light and crispy. Sprinkled with spices, it is not to be missed in the festive season. 

 SHOP FROM MOMSKART AND ENJOY YOUR DIWALI

https://www.themomskart.com/

[asian-wedding-caterers-london]

Indian Style desserts at a Birthday Party

No Indian event is complete without a whole range of sweets and sweet delicacies. Birthday celebrations are no exception. The list is long and possibly endless as every Indian state has its own sweet dishes prepared for every occasion. Some of the famous ones to fit the birthday themes include gulab jamun, rasgulla, besan laddu, kheer (Rice Pudding), Sevaya Kheer (Vermicelli Milk Pudding), Phirni, gajar ka halwa, Sandesh, Shrikhand, Kaju Barfi, dry fruit Kulfi, double ka meeta or shahi tukada.

Almost all the sweets made in India include a generous dose of dairy either in the form of milk, condensed milk, ghee or cottage cheese. Each sweet dish has its designated place in the Indian cuisine. They are also unofficially categorised as per the festivities and occasions. For example, kaju katli (and sometimes son papdi) is a must during the holy festival of Diwali. Although there is no written requirement demanding its presence during the Diwali celebrations, it somehow makes its presence known. Kaju katli is sent out as gifts to friends and family wishing them a happy Diwali. It is also offered to anyone and everyone who comes home that day and probably for another couple of days too. Its dry texture means no nonsense and less maintenance. The use of cashew as its main ingredient gives it class and a top hierarchy. Kaju Katli therefore ends up being everyone’s favourite, even those who don’t have a sweet tooth. Indian birthday parties are an occasion themselves. As the current trend dictates, most people go in for something traditional, teamed up with an out of the box dish. For example, something like Mango Kheer and Strawberry Cheesecake along with something simpler like Besan ladoo. Other options include Mohanthal or Gulab jamun with Orange Sandesh. Rose barfi or Almond Coconut bars with Cinnamon rolls. Ajneer Halwa, Jalebi, Rasagulla are also one of the few things that can really set the mood onto the next level. Malai barfi, Rabdi are some of the other options to be included in the list of delicacies for a birthday party. Bharat Gangaram one of the most sort after Indian caterers inLondon and is well known for hosting the best catering services with all possible delicacies of India as well as International delicacies. They are experts in weddings and are known as the masters of Indian wedding caterers in London. Their sweet making expertise is highly commendable and the list of sweets that you can choose from is exquisite. Some of the unusual sweets include Dosa na ladoo, Ferrero Rocher Barfi, Mango and coconut puri, Mithi Sev, Oreo Barfi, Mix fruit Shirkhand, Mohanthal, Lapsi, Barfi Churma and so much more to choose from. Visit their website for more information: https://www.bharatgangaram.com/food-menus/

#Indian Wedding Caterers in London #Birthday celebrations

[arathithings]

Making the Diwali sweets and savory items was (and is) time consuming. But at the end of the day, it brought about a different feeling altogether, which market-bought food can never replicate. Maybe, it was the freshness of the ingredients and the love with which they were made, added to the taste.

During Diwali, New Year and Bhai Beej, the whole house teemed with guests from far and wide. While we got gift money, new clothes, sweets and fire crackers, they ate to their heart’s content, often asking for second helpings. I specifically remember that my grandmother’s Mathia papads were a hit with all the guests; we always fell short of them, no matter how many we made! Some of the guests from our native got them packed for the journey back home!

The years have passed and most of us live in nuclear families and lead a hectic lifestyle. Many of us don’t have the time to make everything from scratch and have to depend on the local bakers, sweetmeat shops and supermarkets.  But what hasn’t changed is the fact that our faces bear the largest of smiles merely thinking of the lip-smacking Diwali snacks.

On that note, here are some of the traditional Diwali fare that will surely make you nostalgic.

1. Namakparra and Shakarparra – These are deep fried crispy snacks, which include coconut powder. While Namakparra are savory, Shakarparras are sweet and are staple food during Diwali. Namakparra can also be served with chutney or a dip.

2. Chevdo – Chevdo are basically a mixture of flat rice flakes that are roasted with different spices, groundnuts, dried fruits and other snacks. Different regions of India have a different version of Chevdo. They are often stored in large amounts and served to the guests.

3. Sev – Sev are basically long fried strips of gram flour mixed with spices. These are then broken into small pieces and served as savory snacks. The crisper the sev, the better they taste!

4. Pakoras – Pakoras or fritters are one of the favorites in Diwali or any other festival for that matter. They are made from Bengal gram flour, vegetables and spices and served hot with spicy or sweet chutney.

5. Coconut Barfi – Coconut barfi is a favorite with kids and the adults. The sweet is made from coconut and condensed milk, set and cut in neat squares with silver coating on the top.

6. Gulab Jamun – Gulab Jamun is a spongy sweet fried till it’s golden brown and dunked in sugar syrup flavored with rosewater and saffron.

7. Ghughra – Ghughra is a fried pastry, which is stuffed with dry fruits, sugar and desiccated coconut. Some parts of the country also calls these as Karanji.

8. Halwa – Halwa is a sweet made from semolina and clarified butter. There are several varieties of this sweet dish. The semolina can also be replaced by vegetables such as carrot or bottle guard and garnished with dry fruits and saffron.

9. Kheer – Just like halwa, kheer is another traditional Diwali sweet that has many varieties. In other parts of the country, it is also called Payesh or Payasam.

10. Jalebi – Jalebis are crisp sweets that are dipped in saffron flavored syrup and is a seasonal favorite.

11. Badam Barfi – This Indian sweet is fudge made from almonds, sugar and ghee. It’s a staple in many households during the festivities.

12. Kaju Barfi – Just like Badam Barfi, Kaju Barfi or Kaju Katli are another Diwali staple, made from cashew, sugar and ghee.

13. Laddoos – Laddoos are round sweets that are a part of almost every Indian household. Made from besan, boondi, dates, coconut and many other ingredients, these are also served as Prasad or offerings to the deities.

14. Samosa – No Diwali food list, especially in North India is complete without Samosas. The triangular delicacies are generally stuffed with potato and spices and deep fried.

15. Kachoris – Kachoris are round pastries stuffed with lentils or mawa and served with condiments.

16. Aloo Tikki – Aloo tikki are fried potato cakes accompanies with generous amounts of chutney, chopped onions and coriander that adds to the yumminess.

17. Cholafali – Cholafali is a traditional snack in Gujarat and is light and crispy. Sprinkled with spices, it is not to be missed in the festive season. SHOP FROM MOMSKART AND ENJOY YOUR DIWALI

https://www.themomskart.com/