Tihar treats

Tihar is here and with that it’s time to entertain and indulge in some good food that you normally wouldn’t have the time to make. Food isn’t just something to fill your tummies with, it can be a way to foster connection and bond with family and friends. But what can you serve that doesn’t come in a box, won’t make you guilt-ridden because of the holiday weight gain, and is quick and easy to make? Here we have four ideas that might be able to help you get started on your festive meal prep.

Sooji halwa

Sooji halwa is a pudding made of semolina and all you need is three ingredients: Sooji, ghee, and sugar. It’s super easy to make. You just have to fry sooji in ghee till it’s light brown in color, add sugar and then let it simmer in water for a bit. You can replace sugar with jaggery and add some dry fruits if you want. You can batch make this dish and keep it in the fridge to dole out when guests arrive. Serve it hot or cold depending on your preference. If you want to take it up a notch, try making gajar ko halwa or moong dal halwa. The process is pretty much the same.

Masala peanuts

Who doesn’t love a savory snack especially at a time when the sweet stuff is all that you are offered everywhere you go. A really simple thing you can do is buy some peanuts and mix that with chopped onions, tomatoes, garlic, ginger, add some basic spices and salt, sprinkle some lemon juice and a mouthwatering snack is ready in minutes. You can also skip the other ingredients and just sprinkle spices, salt, and lemon over plain peanuts if you want a basic flavor.

Coconut barfi bites

Here’s a simple recipe for a mithai that feels indulgent and healthy at the same time. Mix all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, sugar, and brown sugar. Add three eggs one at a time and a teaspoon of vanilla. Combine the dry and wet ingredients and whisk. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes. Once the barfi cools down, top it up with a mixture of shredded coconut, sweetened condensed milk, salt, and ground cardamom, and refrigerate for 15 minutes before cutting into bite-size pieces to enjoy.

Mango lassi

Lassi is basically a cross between a milkshake and a smoothie. Mango lassi is a simple thing to make. All you need is about equal amounts of mangoes and creamy full-fat yogurt, a little ice, and a high-powered blender to combine these ingredients into a delicious treat. You can replace the mangoes with any other sweet fruit like bananas, strawberries, or papaya and the result is just as spectacular. There is no hard and fast rule about how thick or thin your lassi needs to be. It depends on how you want it to be. But it helps to make it thinned out enough to be drinkable through a straw.