As Janmashtami and Raksha Bandhan approaches, the excitement of the upcoming wedding seasons and Navratri celebrations fills the air with joy, happiness and positivity. To keep the festive spirit alive, we bring you some timeless sweet recipes that will tantalize your taste buds and add a touch of tradition to your celebrations.
Recipe 1: Nariyal Pak
(By Sunita Gupta, @Recipes Hub)
About food: Nariyal Pak, also known as coconut powder or copra pak, has a special place among Indian sweets. This delicious treat combines fresh coconut, mawa, sugar and milk to create a delicious nariyal barfi. A traditional favorite from Gujarat, this coconut burfi graces every occasion, from Diwali and Raksha Bandhan to Holi and Navratri.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup of powdered sugar
- 1 ½ cups shredded Dry Coconut
- ½ cup Milk Powder
- 1 cup Cardamom (Elaichi) powder
- 1 TBSP Desi Ghee
- 1 cup Cream (Malay)
Directions:
-
Grease a plate to put nariyal pak.
-
In a pan, combine 1 cup of powdered sugar, 1 cup of whole milk, 1 cup of malai, 1 cup of milk powder and 1 tablespoon of butter before turning on the flame. If you don’t have cream, use 2 tablespoons of butter.
-
Whisk the mixture to remove any lumps before heating.
-
Cook the mixture until it reaches mava consistency. Add 1 cup of dry coconut and 1 cup of cardamom powder to the mixture.
-
When the mixture comes together and comes out of the pan, transfer to a greased plate. Spread it out evenly and let it cool to about 1 inch thick. After cooling, cut into desired shapes. You can enjoy this treat for up to a week!
Recipe 2: Suji Ke Laddu
(Animeta Creator, Ruchi Gagan Deep, Ruchi’s Recipe Book)
About food: Suji Ke Laddu, also known as Rava Ladoo, is a melt-in-the-mouth Indian sweet that takes center stage during festive seasons. With roasted semolina, ghee, milk and sugar as the main ingredients, these laddus can be whipped up in less than 30 minutes and add sweetness to your celebrations.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Suji
- 2 cups of Milk
- 1 cup desiccated coconut
- ½ cup of Ghee
- Dry fruits
- 1 tablespoon of cardamom powder
- 1 cup of powdered sugar
Directions:
-
Cook 1 cup of suji in a pan until golden brown (2-3 minutes).
-
Transfer the suji to a mixing bowl and add 2 cups of room temperature milk. Let Suji rest for 10 minutes to absorb the milk.
-
Cook 1 cup desiccated coconut till it is done properly and set aside.
-
Combine the suji-milk mixture in a pan and stir over low heat. Gradually add butter to prevent sticking. The mixture should come together and come out of the pan.
-
Add dry fruits and cardamom powder. Cook for 7 to 10 minutes until the mixture has improved.
-
After cooling, add desiccated coconut and 1 cup of powdered sugar. If it is dry, add some butter. Snap the laddus and enjoy Suji Ke Laddu!
Recipe 3: Sugar Free Besan Laddu
(Sonali Sarkar, Blogger Mom and Child Nutritionist)
About food: Besan Ladoo or Besan ke Laddoo is a traditional Indian delicacy synonymous with festivals like Janamashtami, Raksha Bandhan and Diwali. Now you can enjoy these besan ladoos guilt-free with a sugar-free twist!
Ingredients:
- ½ cup of Ghee
- 2 cups Besan/Gram Flour
- 1 cup jaggery
- ½ teaspoon crushed cardamom seeds
- Cashews, as required
Directions:
- Melt ¼ cup ghee in a kadhai. Add the besan and cook on low heat until it changes color and becomes fragrant (20-25 minutes). Stir constantly.
- While cooking the besan mixture, gradually add the rest of the butter. Once it changes color, turn off the flame and add the saffron and chopped cardamom. Mix well and allow to cool.
- Shape the cooled mixture into laddus and top with cashews.
Whether traditional or with a twist, these delicious recipes are perfect for making your holiday season truly memorable. Enjoy the sweetness of these treats while celebrating with your loved ones.