Indian festivals are not just limited to old legacies, legends, ceremonies, and rituals – they are more than that. At a subtle level, it is more than that. Yes faith, hope, and emotions do make an indelible part of all of it. But the true essence, the crux of any celebration starts and ends with – ‘FOOD’. It is food that brings bonhomie and togetherness into our lives.
The festival gets better, homelier and personal when food joins it. So it isn’t surprising that the sometimes hot- and-sour and other times bitter-sweet bond between brother and sister strengths with food. And to make it even more special, let’s make it a little healthier. Try making this festival stirring health consciousness with delicious, yet nourishing food items.
During Raksha Bandhan the list of scrumptious food commonly prepared during this time are – burfis, mithais, pakoras and pancakes.
In Maharashtra coconut preparations like Nariyal Barfi or Karanji are commonly prepared during this time. Down in South India, different styles of Payasams adorn the food list as special desserts. While in Rajasthan, a filigreed delicacy called Ghevar is made during Rakhi festival.
1. Date Rolls
lots of love wrapped in sweetened batter, filled with nectarous dates and baked to heartwarming delights.
2. Pinaca
A traditional Goan sweet snack that is filled with the wholesomeness of coconut and jaggery with rice flour kneaded into balls.
3. Dry Fruit Pulao
Flavored rice sautéed with nourishing dry nuts and hinted with the deliciousness of saffron.
4. Baked Moong Dal Karanji
A crunchy baked cookie that stuffed with notoriousness and health of moong dal.
5. Badam Payasam
Rich creamy ‘kheer’ that brings the sweetness of sugar, creaminess of milk and flavors of nuts and saffron.
6. Arisi Tengaay Payasam
long rice laced with jaggery, hint of cardamom and crispiness of coconut steamed up in delicious South Indian dessert which is served hot.
7. Dry fruit Kachori
Well kneaded flour is shaped into oval shaped cookies that are stuffed with nourishing nuts and topped with additional flavors that suit ones liking.
(Image Credits: blog.imagedb.com, pinterest, goankhana.blogspot, youtoocancook.net, sanjeevkapoor.com,archanaskitchen.com, jeyashriskitchen.com)
