The festival of colours, aka Holi, is just around the corner…and so is the season spring. Apart from smearing people and being soused in every colour of the rainbow, Holi is also the best time to savour your taste buds with the best of desi delicacies and appetizing drinks! You can either prepare traditional Holi food at home or rely on your local market for desi sweets and such.
I don’t know about you guys but for me personally, Holi is the time to hog on gujjyas and feel guilty about breaking my new year’s resolution, again. And not just gujiyas, basically everything that’s Holi special!
It’s like I want it, I eat it, I want it and I drink it!
Why Is Holi The Best Time for Foodaholics
No matter what your religion or beliefs are, food is the language that unites us all!! There is a surfeit of food items you can gorge on but there’s something about Holi wala khana that escapes no one. There are many food items and drinks that are given special prominence during religious festivals that have a special essence, right? Here are a few #HoliSpecials that you must have if you’re having a Holi party or Holi ka acche se lutph uthaana hai toh!
Holi Special Sweets For You
Indian sweets are the best thing about Holi, in fact, any other festival for that matter. I mean, how are foreigners even surviving without consuming our world-famous mithais?
Also read: Pre and Post Holi Hair care tips
Gujiya
These deep-fried dumpling shaped mithai is my favourite thing about Holi. The outer crust is either made from suji or maida and is stuffed with a sweet mixture consisting of khoya, dried fruits, and coconut. Just take a bite of gujiya and enjoy a burst of sweet flavours in your mouth!
Drool mode: Activated
Barfi
A barfi is so much better than chocolate, don’t @ me!
If you’re a foreigner who has no idea or concept about what a barfi is, you are in for a *treat*, literally! Barfis are one of the most common Indian sweet that is made using condensed milk, flour, and sugar, among other flavoursome ingredients. Upon being prepared, the big outcome is cut into pieces and further decorated with dry fruits and the vark. A perfect Holi sweet!
Phirni
Phirni is a desi take on a rice pudding that no one can dislike! Also known as kheer, a phirni can either be one of your sweet dishes or the main sweet dish! It is made by boiling milk, sugar, and rice, along with other ingredients such as wheat, vermicelli or tapioca. It is further flavoured with the likes of pistachios, raisins, almonds, saffron, and cardamom.
Ras Malai
Originating in the West Bengal region of the country, this dessert is made with sweet dough balls. Ras Malai are stuffed with creamed rice, saffron and pistachio nuts, and then served with sweet cardamom cream. Trust Ras Malai to make every Holi party to end on a sweet note!
Malpua
Imagine if a gulab jamun and a pancake had a delicious baby, that’s malpua for you!
The malpua is similar to a pancake. Its batter includes crushed banana, coconut, flour and milk, while cardamom provides a little flavour. There are also varieties made with mango or pineapple. During Holi many people will serve them with a sugar syrup.
Traditional Holi food- snacks and main course
la lala lalala
Pakora
A pakora is not just a snack, it is a feeling. Ah, pakora!
A fried snack that is really popular among all age groups alike, pakora is the perfect choice for literally every occasion. Chai + pakora has more chemistry than me and my boyfriend ever will!
A pakora can be easily be prepared at home using besan (gram flour) and your hero ingredient, like cauliflower, bread, potatoes, dal, onions and even my beloved paneer, which are deep-fried.
Dahi vada
Chatories, unite!
I’m sure your mouth is already drooling just by reading the words, DAHI VADA!
They are prepared by soaking ‘vadas’, which are fried flour balls, in thick dahi.
Dahi vada is a type of chaat (snack) originating from the Indian subcontinent and popular throughout South Asia.[1] It is prepared by soaking vadas (fried flour balls) in thick dahi (yogurt).[2
Papri chat
Papri chaat is a traditional fast food that is loved by everyone! Made with love and other ingredients such as papri, dahi, green chutney, sauth chutney, pomegranate seeds, potatoes, and black chickpeas. Just garnish with few coriander leaves and enjoy a flavoursome riot in your mouth!
Namak paare
Mathari
A mathri is a fried, desi snack that makes every conversation better! It is a kind flaky biscuit that’s made with flour, water and carom seeds. Further, ingredients like dhania, methi are added to enhance its flavour!
Holi special beverages
Humka peeni hai peeni hai humka peeni hai Holi ki special drinks peeni hai!
Thandai
Thandai is *refreshment* in a glass and you just need a sip to get all the feels! Made with rose water, nuts, fennel seeds, saffron and even peppercorns; Thandhai is a must on Holi!
Lassi
Where my Punjabis at?
Lassi is a popular dahi-based drink jiske bina Holi is incomplete! Lassi is a savoury drink that’s a blend of yogurt, spices and water that is churned well until everything mixes well. It is often served as a refreshment or even after a hearty meal!
Nimbu Paani
In India, Nimbu paani is not just your regular lemonade, it’s a feeling that unites us all. Just offer anyone you know a fresh glass of lemonade and feel the friendship rising.
Aam panna
This desi drink has more followers than your fave celebrity because of its chatpata taste! Made from raw mangoes, aam panna is famous for its heat-resistant properties and is a summer favourite among the Indians! Try aam panna today if you haven’t already!
Bhang
Does this *crazy* drink even need an introduction? For those of you who don’t know, bhang is the ultimate dose that makes every Holi fun-er. An edible made from buds, flowers and leaves of the female cannabis, the intoxicating mixture is added to Holi special food and drinks as it makes everything so much better.
PS: This drink is not for the faint-hearted.
Featured Image: Dreamstime.com
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