In the grand festival of lights, Diwali, food serves as a vibrant thread that intricately weaves together tradition, love, and the spirit of togetherness. The delightful assortment of sweets, savories, and special dishes bears testament to the opulence of Indian cuisine and the warmth of its people. As the lights twinkle and fireworks illuminate the night, it is the shared meals and traditional recipes that not only create enduring memories but also reinforce the bonds of family and friendship. Diwali food epitomizes the cultural and emotional richness that renders this festival truly special. Here, we present a selection of healthy recipes from Chef Anil Das, Moj Creator that elevate Diwali beyond a visual spectacle, turning it into a sumptuous feast that caters to all the senses.
Date and Nut Ladoo:
Ingredients:
1 cup dates (seedless)
1/2 cup mixed nuts (almonds, cashews, pistachios)
1/2 tsp cardamom powder
Instructions:
Grind the dates and mixed nuts together in a food processor until they form a sticky mixture.
Add cardamom powder and mix well.
Roll the mixture into small balls to make ladoos.
Baked Gujiya:
Ingredients:
For the filling:
1 cup grated coconut
1/2 cup jaggery
1/4 cup chopped nuts (almonds, cashews)
1/2 tsp cardamom powder
For the outer cover:
Whole wheat flour dough
Instructions:
Mix the ingredients for the filling in a bowl.
Roll out small portions of the whole wheat flour dough and fill them with the coconut-jaggery mixture.
Seal the edges and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes or until they turn golden brown.
Ragi (Finger Millet) Ladoo:
Ingredients:
1 cup ragi flour
1/2 cup jaggery
2-3 tbsp ghee
A pinch of cardamom powder
Instructions:
Heat ghee in a pan and roast ragi flour until it turns aromatic.
Add jaggery and cardamom powder, mix well.
Shape the mixture into ladoos while it’s still warm
Besan (Chickpea Flour) Chakki:
Ingredients:
1 cup besan (chickpea flour)
1/4 cup ghee
1/2 cup jaggery
1/2 tsp cardamom powder
Chopped nuts for garnish (almonds, pistachios)
Instructions:
Roast besan in ghee until it turns aromatic and golden brown.
Add jaggery and cardamom powder, mix well.
Transfer the mixture to a greased plate, flatten it, and garnish with chopped nuts. Let it cool and cut into squares or diamonds.
Mixed Nut and Fig Burfi:
Ingredients:
1 cup mixed nuts (almonds, cashews, pistachios), finely chopped
1/2 cup dried figs, soaked and blended to a paste
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup ghee
A pinch of cardamom powder
Instructions:
In a pan, heat ghee and add the blended fig paste. Cook for a few minutes.
Add the chopped mixed nuts, honey, and cardamom powder. Mix well.
Transfer the mixture to a greased tray, flatten it, and let it cool. Cut into squares or diamonds
Let these healthy recipes add a touch of culinary magic to your Diwali celebrations, making this festival not only a visual spectacle but also a sumptuous feast for all the senses, ensuring that the spirit of togetherness and the joy of tradition are savored with each delectable bite.
