Panchamritham is a liquid sweet, which is offered to God during worship or Puja in Hinduism. This sweet mixture is made of five ingredients. Pancha is 5, amrutham is nectar. In Hindu Mythology Nectar (Amrutham) is a divine food of Gods which gives them Immortality.5 ingredients are honey, jaggery, milk, yogurt, and ghee. It is made at home and at temples as a luxurious offering to God during worship. Panchamritham is filled in a bowl and kept in front of God idol representing that we are offering it god. Rest is offered to guests. In certain regions, yagna is performed, and panchamrit is offered to God by pouring it on fire.
Pumpkin bakshalu (poli)
You call Bhakshalu, Oliga, Poornam poli, sweet chapati or puran poli, It is Indian’s most favorite festive food. Name itself makes me drool. Traditionally made with channa dal (Split chickpeas), jaggery stuffed in flour dough and fried on griddle. Pumpkin stuffing makes the dish so light, you can pour your favorite ghee as much as you want. It not as time consuming as traditional dish. You can replace pumpkin with sweet potato or squash. Remember pumpkin is really a squash.
Sesame, besan laddu
The word ‘Sankranti’ means the movement of the sun into Capricorn. On Makar Sankranti, the sun enters new zodiac-sign of Capricorn or Makara. Most Hindu festivals are based on the lunar calendar, making the dates of festivals change every year. But Makar Sankranti is a festival which falls on the same day every year as it follows the solar calendar. As Makar Sankranti is one of the oldest solstice festivals and falls on the equinox, day and night on this day are believed to be equally long. Post the festival, it is officially the beginning of spring. Indian summer and the days become longer, and nights shorter.
Makara Sankranthi is celebrated for three days. The first day is Bhogi. North India is known as Lohri.The second day is Sankranthi which is dedicated to worshipping Surya (the Sun god), Varuna (the rain god) and Indra (king of gods). The third day is Kanuma which is dedicated to cleaning cows, farm animals and farm equipment and also offering prayers to them for helping with a successful harvest season.
Till and almond laddu
Makara Sankranthi is celebrated for three days. The first day is Bhogi. North India is known as Lohri.The second day is Sankranthi which is dedicated to worshipping Surya (the Sun god), Varuna (the rain god) and Indra (king of gods). The third day is Kanuma which is dedicated to cleaning cows, farm animals, and farm equipment and also offering prayers to them for helping with a successful harvest season.
Bhogi day starts with Bhogi manta (Bonfire) in the early hours of the morning. People light a bonfire, offer prayers to fire god discarding outdated things and ideas and welcome new things and new ideas to prosper. In the evening Bommala Koluvu (arrangement of images of Gods, toys, and dolls) is arranged at homes.
Celery, tomatillo chutney
Chutneys are a staple food in Southern India. Chutneys can be made with a variety of vegetables. Mix n match a wide variety of vegetables, nuts, seeds to make rich, enticing, exquisite chutney. This is a Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, Paleo, nut-free recipe. Aromatic spices with vegetables, nuts in tampering makes chutney an ultimately delicious and healthy. Whichever vegetable you make chutney out of, Chutney is loaded with iron, vitamins, and antioxidants. Traditionally, vegetables are cooked in spices and crushed with the hand in mortar pestle to make chutney. In the modern generation, grinders are used. Chutney is usually consumed with rice and ghee poured on top. Lately, with low carb consciousness, people prefer eating chutneys as homemade dips for tortilla chips, pita chips, south Indian snacks as sakinalu, janthikalu and karappusa.
Avakaya Biryani
Avakaya is South India’s state of Andhra Pradesh favorite pickle. It is go-to pickle at festivals, weddings, gatherings, pujas, and wherever people gather. If you taste, you will soon realize the exaggeration about Avakaya is genuine. In other words, you will experience heaven on earth. Avakaya biryani is basmati rice cooked with avakaya. Avakaya biryani is an extravaganza.
Avakai is spicy, reflecting Andhra’s significant taste. Made from scratch, using household ingredients, Avakaya is a seriously tasty pickle. It is an exceptional combination to eat with rice and ghee. It also goes great with any dish which needs more flavor and spice. It even works as a dip. Lastly, it can be transformed into India’s favorite dish Birayni.
Vegan creamy gravy for Indian curries
Gravy is the base for most Indian dishes. Indian gravy is not the turkey gravy as most westerns are familiar with. This vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, paleo gravy adds up taste and smooth, silky texture to the dish. In parties, festival gatherings, gravy curry is staple. Thats because gravy adds up volume and smooth gravy simply slides thru the throat. Though I am not fan of freezing, you can make extra gravy, freeze and use when you need.
Common way’s to use Indian gravy is to cook with vegetables or meat and as a side to biryani dishes. Add your favorite vegetables or meat to this gravy, simmer and enjoy. Chicken and Potatoes are most crowd cheered combination which is cooked in gravy.
Tandoori whole cornish hen
As can often be the case when merging new-coming and traditional cultures, Americans of Indian descent often feel themselves torn between abandoning their traditional cuisine and adopting Western recipes outright in order to celebrate or making their usual foods and missing out on the delicious fun of the season. With me, you never have to make that choice. My Indian Thanksgiving recipes match the best of my homeland with the flavors of fall for a Thanksgiving experience that fit right into the American celebration without losing the feel or flavor of India.
You don’t have to worry about baking big bird. With Cornish hen, bake just the right amount you need, no leftovers.
Tandoori chicken is a favorite Indian meal that has a huge following in America. The name Tandoori comes from the oven called tandoor, in which the dish is traditionally prepared. Tandoor is high heat oven, that without special marinade, the chicken will be undercooked. Chicken and other meats cooked with this method are identified as tandoori chicken, etc. The very high temperature at the bottom of the oven would burn the outside of any meat in about 20 minutes, leaving the inside raw. What is the technique? When meat is exposed to an acidic marinade, the bonds break between protein bundles, and the proteins unwind, forming a loose mesh. Initially, water is trapped within this protein “net” and tissue remains moist and juicy. For this reason, chicken is marinated in citrus, yogurt, and spices.
Chestnut (Singoda) flour laddus
Looking for a quick way to wow your guests? Celebrate your delicious style even in a pinch with this quick recipe. A quick fix for your sweet tooth. The water chestnut packs a significant nutritional punch, while the brown sugar provides that smooth, easy flavor that makes laddu so irresistible. Make sure to use fresh ghee to significantly enhance the aroma and flavor. As I’m sure you’ve noticed, each of my laddus contains a different super-ingredient, and this one is chestnut time to shine. Chestnut has a plethora of health benefits, from lowering cardiac risks, significantly improving skin, hair health, with heightened minerals, vitamins, phytonutrients and fiber content to keep you strong physically and mentally. This festive season, enjoy low-carb and low-sugar Indian food without sacrificing genuine Indian taste. Those looking for low-carb, low-sugar recipes will find a haven here. Whether it is Diwali, Navratri, Dasara, Sankranthi or Rakhi, this sensational laddu will impress everyone.
Red Chori | Adzuki Beans chaat
Chaat can be best described as salty, sweet and tangy savory snack. Chaat can be delicious and healthy if deep-fried items are avoided. Adding small amounts of fried stuff is ok, but consuming all fried items mean bloating yourself with calories. Though there are tons of varieties of chaats, every dish has a unique, most cherishing taste. Chaats are a great way to socialize and entertain. The road side carts in India and other countries serving chaats are favorite time pass spots to many families, friends, lovers, flirts. Chaats are excellent to entertain your guests with a side of cocktail or lemonade.
