Holi is just around the corner and like any other Indian, you must be excited about it. Holi is always a nice excuse to catch up with friends and families to play, chat and eat together. After all, no traditional festival tops off without being around our close ones and great food.
Holi is not just about playing with colours instead it’s that time of the year when you let go of your indifferences, worries, and pain and celebrate the triumph of good over evil. In other words, Holi gives you a beam of hope, love, and cheerfulness in your life.
Holi is also considered of great importance when it comes to trying traditional delicacies which you might have missed eating over the years but is recommended to eat especially on this auspicious occasion of Holi.
So, here are some of the best traditional savoury food that you should try in Holi 2023;
- Gujiya
This is a traditional Holi dessert which is a must-try delicacy on this auspicious festival. Gujiya can either be baked or deep-fried based on the individual’s choice but what stands strong is that you will get a flavoursome outcome.
Gujiyas are made with a mixture of coconut, dry fruits, milk, and khoya covered in a flour ball that adds a crispy twist to this dish and surprises your taste buds with its sweet filling. Gujiya is an absolute treat for your Holi celebration this year so do not miss out on the opportunity to prepare and share it with your family members.
- Thandai
Thandai is a famous drink that will certainly cross your senses when you think of Holi. With a huge array of ingredients such as almonds, fennel seeds, watermelon seeds, rose petals, pepper, jaggary, cardamom, saffron, milk, and sugar in this delicious beverage, you can make what best suits your preference. The assorted spices, milk, and sugar in Thandai will make sure to keep you freshened up in that hot sun attack and let you enjoy the festival with maximum energy. For a change, you can also add Bhang, a general term known as Cannabis in your Thandai to give you a bit hangover effect that feels good while you are playing Holi. However, we wouldn’t recommend drivers drink Bhang Thandai as it dulls their senses and doesn’t help in making good road judgments.
- Dahi Bhalla
This dish has had its share in the Northern side of India but is loved all over India for its sweet and savoury flavours. This dish is a perfect blend of curd and spices including green chilly chutney and sweet tamarind chutney topped on ‘Bhalla’ a fried ball made of various lentils mixture which is later soaked in cold thick yogurt to give a crunchy, creamy, and spice-filled taste in your mouth. This recipe is easy to make but needs certain preparation beforehand like keeping the Bhallas ready before serving or preparing the chutneys etc. In the end, all we can say is this traditional dish will surely win your hearts You can eat this after you’re done with your Holi chores and looking for a nice afternoon treat.
- Puran Poli
A sweet burst flavour is always welcomed especially if you are fond of eating desserts. Puran Poli is one such traditional dessert that you cannot miss this Holi as it’s light on your stomach but flavorful in your mouth. Puran Poli is a flatbread or roti which is stuffed with chana dal, sugar, and various spices and is served with a side of milk and ghee. The sweet and savoury flavour of this dish will give you jitters in every bite.
- Malpua
Mulpua is again one of the best traditional dishes you can eat on the occasion of Holi. With a variety of Malpua recipes, you can make your assortment of Malpua. These luscious pancakes are made of flour and milk, in addition, you can put fried ripened banana crumbs, coconut, and cardamons to give a rich flavour to it. Interestingly, Malpua is India’s oldest dessert which was thought to have been made during 1500 BC. So, we hope you can understand how rich and traditional this dish is.
- Papdi Chaat
Papdi Chaat is well referred to as India’s finest street snack but it also can be made for some auspicious occasions like Holi. This recipe is made using fried dough crumbs, boiled potatoes, chickpeas, and various types of chutneys. You can make it on the sweet or sour side based on your preferences. Either way, you will enjoy it.
- Aloo Puri
Aloo Puri is one of the famous dishes from North India but has prominent existence all around. Aloo Puri is made with fried dough bread, also called Puri, and served with a side of spicy potato curry. You can either have it for breakfast or lunch on the day of Holi.
- Kesari Kulfi
This is a delicious frozen dessert that is made with milk, saffron, and sugar. This is a popular side dessert people love having during Holi. Kulfis can be made with different ingredients like Pista, Malai, Raju, Badam, Mawa, and Elaichi. Therefore, you can make your little assortment and treat yourself to the Kulfi of your choice.
- Ras Malai
Ras Malai is a sweet dessert that is made with soft cheese patties and is then soaked in sweetened flavoured milk. This can be good to go after lunch dessert during the Holi celebration.
- Shrikhand
This is a traditional Indian dessert which was originated in Western India but is now widely made and eaten all around the country. This is a creamy mixture of strained yogurt, sugar, and scented spices such as saffron and cardamom. You can make Shrikhand for a special occasion or festival like Holi or Diwali and enjoy it with any kind of side dish.
- Boondhi Laddo
Boondhi Laddo is a famous Indian sweet that is made out of deep-fried gram flour which can then be combined with sugar and spices and dry fruits to add extra flavour to this dessert. Boondhi laddoos are so flavorful and easy to prepare that they are made in every household in India for special occasions.
- Meethi Chawal
Methi Chawal is a popular dish in India that combines fenugreek leaves with white rice, making it an easy one-pot dish idea for a quick lunch on a fine Sunday afternoon. Methi Chawal is also considered an ideal recipe for special occasions or festivals such as Holi.
This Holi, let’s celebrate with colours and these dozen foods with our friends and family.
