Holi, also known as the festival of colors, is a vibrant and joyous celebration that is widely celebrated in India and around the world. It marks the arrival of spring and is a time for people to come together, forget their differences, and celebrate life with bright colors, music, and delicious food.
One of the highlights of Holi is the delicious food that is prepared for the occasion. From traditional sweets like gujiya to savory snacks like masala poori and dahi vada, the Holi menu is a feast for the senses. However, many of these dishes can be heavy and unhealthy, which can take a toll on your health.
If you’re looking for easy and healthy recipes to celebrate Holi 2023, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will share six delicious and nutritious recipes that are perfect for the festival of colors. These recipes include traditional dishes like puran poli and gujiya, as well as refreshing drinks like thandai and fruit custard. By using organic and healthy ingredients like jaggery, coconut oil, and spices, you can enjoy your favorite Holi dishes without feeling guilty.
So, whether you’re celebrating Holi with family and friends or enjoying the festival in your own way, these easy and healthy recipes will help you enjoy the colors of the season without compromising on your health. Let’s dive in and explore these mouth-watering Holi special dishes!
Recipe 1: Puran Poli
Puran Poli is a traditional Holi special dish that is popular in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Karnataka. It is a sweet flatbread made with flour, jaggery, and chana dal. Here is how you can make Puran Poli:
Ingredients:
1 cup chana dal
1 cup organic jaggery
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp cardamom powder
1/2 tsp nutmeg powder
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 tbsp ghee
Water as needed
Instructions:
1. Soak the chana dal in water for 2 hours.
2. Drain the water and pressure cook the dal with 3 cups of water until it is soft and fully cooked.
3. Once cooked, mash the dal with a spoon or a masher.
4. Add organic jaggery to the mashed dal and cook it on low heat until the jaggery melts and blends with the dal.
5. Add cardamom powder, nutmeg powder, and turmeric powder to the dal-jaggery mixture and mix well.
6. In a separate bowl, mix whole wheat flour, salt, and ghee.
7. Add water to the flour mixture to make a soft dough.
8. Divide the dough into equal parts and roll each part into a small ball.
9. Flatten each ball and add a spoonful of the dal-jaggery mixture in the center.
10. Bring the edges of the dough together to cover the filling completely.
11. Dust the rolling surface with flour and roll out the stuffed dough into a flatbread.
12. Heat a tawa or a flat pan and cook the Puran Poli on both sides until it is golden brown.
13. Serve hot with ghee.
Recipe 2: Fruit Custard
Fruit Custard is a refreshing and healthy dessert that you can serve during Holi. It is easy to make and requires only a few ingredients. Here is how you can make Fruit Custard:
Ingredients:
2 cups milk
2 tbsp custard powder
2 tbsp organic jaggery
1 banana
1 apple
1/2 cup grapes
1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
1/2 cup chopped nuts (almonds, cashews, and pistachios)
Instructions:
1. Heat milk in a pan and bring it to a boil.
2. In a separate bowl, mix custard powder and organic jaggery with a little water.
3. Add the custard powder mixture to the boiling milk and stir continuously until it thickens.
4. Remove the pan from heat.
5. Let the custard cool down to room temperature.
6. Cut the banana and apple into small pieces and add them to the custard.
7. Add grapes, pomegranate seeds, and chopped nuts to the custard and mix well.
8. Refrigerate the custard for a few hours.
9. Serve cold and enjoy!
Recipe 3: Crispy Masala Poori
Crispy Masala Poori is a spicy and crispy flatbread that is perfect for Holi. It is made with whole wheat flour and spices, and it can be enjoyed with any side dish or chutney. Here is how you can make Crispy Masala Poori:
Ingredients:
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp coriander seeds
1 tsp fennel seeds
1 tsp red chili powder
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp coconut oil
Water as needed
Instructions:
1. Dry roast cumin seeds, coriander seeds, and fennel seeds in a pan until they are fragrant.
2. Grind the roasted seeds into a fine powder.
3. In a mixing bowl, add whole wheat flour, ground spice powder, red chili powder, turmeric powder, salt, and coconut oil.
4. Mix everything together until the coconut oil is evenly distributed.
5. Add water as needed and knead the dough until it is smooth and soft.
6. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes.
7. Divide the dough into equal parts and roll each part into a small ball.
8. Dust the rolling surface with flour and roll out each ball into a flat disc.
9. Heat oil in a deep-frying pan or kadhai.
10. Fry the pooris in hot oil until they are golden brown and crispy.
11. Serve hot with any side dish or chutney of your choice.
Recipe 4: Dahi Wada
Dahi Wada is a popular snack that is enjoyed during Holi. It is made with lentil dumplings that are soaked in spiced yogurt and topped with chutneys and spices. Here is how you can make Dahi Wada:
Ingredients:
1 cup urad dal
2 cups yogurt
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp mustard seeds
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp red chili powder
Salt to taste
Oil for frying
Tamarind chutney and mint chutney for serving
Instructions:
1. Soak urad dal in water for 2-3 hours.
2. Drain the water and grind the dal into a smooth paste using a blender or a food processor.
3. Add salt to the dal batter and mix well.
4. Heat oil in a deep frying pan or kadhai.
5. Wet your hands and take a small portion of the dal batter.
6. Flatten the batter and make a small hole in the center.
7. Fry the wada in hot oil until they are golden brown and crispy.
8. Soak the fried wada in water for 10-15 minutes.
9. Squeeze out the excess water from the wada and keep them aside.
10. Whisk yogurt with salt, turmeric powder, and red chili powder.
11. Dip the soaked wada in the spiced yogurt mixture.
12. Heat oil in a small pan and add cumin seeds and mustard seeds.
13. Once they start to splutter, add the tempering to the yogurt mixture.
14. Refrigerate the yogurt-covered wada for 1-2 hours.
15. Before serving, drizzle tamarind chutney and mint chutney on top of the wada.
16. Sprinkle some red chili powder and roasted cumin powder on top for extra flavor.
17. Serve chilled and enjoy!
Recipe 5: Thandai
Thandai is a refreshing and aromatic drink that is usually served during Holi celebrations. It is made with a blend of nuts, spices, and milk, and is often spiked with bhang (a cannabis-based ingredient) in some regions. Here’s how you can make Thandai at home without bhang:
Ingredients:
1 cup whole milk, Water as needed
1/4 cup almonds
1/4 cup cashews
1/4 cup pistachios
2 tbsp poppy seeds
2 tbsp fennel seeds
2 tbsp melon seeds
2 tbsp rose petals (dried or fresh)
1/2 tsp black peppercorns
1/2 tsp cardamom powder
1/2 tsp nutmeg powder
1/2 tsp saffron strands
2-3 tbsp organic jaggery
Instructions:
1. Soak almonds, cashews, pistachios, poppy seeds, fennel seeds, and melon seeds in water for 2-3 hours.
2. Drain the water and add the soaked nuts and seeds to a blender.
3. Add rose petals, black peppercorns, cardamom powder, nutmeg powder, and saffron strands to the blender.
4. Add a little water and blend everything into a smooth paste.
5. Add milk and jaggery to the blender and blend again until everything is well combined.
6. Taste and adjust the sweetness if needed.
7. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer to remove any grit or solids.
8. Chill the Thandai in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
9. Before serving, give it a good stir and pour it into glasses.
10. Garnish with chopped nuts, rose petals, or saffron strands if desired.
11. Serve chilled and enjoy the refreshing Thandai!
Recipe 6: Gujiya
Gujiya is a popular sweet, that is often made during Holi. It is a deep-fried and stuffed with a sweet filling made with khoya (reduced milk), nuts, and spices. Here’s how you can make Gujiya at home:
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
4 tbsp ghee or coconut oil
1/4 cup milk
A pinch of salt
1 cup khoya
1/4 cup organic jaggery
1/4 cup chopped nuts (almonds, cashews, pistachios)
1/4 tsp cardamom powder
Oil for frying
Instructions:
1. In a mixing bowl, add all-purpose flour, ghee or coconut oil, milk, and a pinch of salt.
2. Mix everything together until it forms a crumbly texture.
3. Add water as needed and knead the dough until it is smooth and soft.
4. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes.
5. In a separate pan, heat khoya, organic jaggery, chopped nuts, and cardamom powder.
6. Cook the mixture on low heat until the jaggery melts and everything is well combined.
7. Let the mixture cool down to room temperature.
8. Divide the dough into equal parts and roll each part into a small ball.
9. Dust the rolling surface with flour and roll out each ball into a flat disc.
10. Place a tablespoon of the khoya mixture on one half of the disc.
11. Fold the other half of the disc over the filling and press the edges together to seal the gujiya.
12. Use a fork to crimp the edges of the gujiya for a decorative touch.
13. Repeat the process with the remaining dough and filling.
14. In a deep frying pan, heat oil on medium heat.
15. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the gujiyas to the pan and fry until golden brown on both sides.
16. Remove the gujiyas from the pan and place them on a paper towel to remove any excess oil.
17. Let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
18. Enjoy the delicious and sweet gujiyas with your loved ones!
In conclusion, these six easy and healthy recipes are perfect for celebrating Holi 2023. With traditional dishes like puran poli and gujiya, refreshing drinks like thandai and fruit custard, and savory snacks like masala poori and dahi vada, you’ll have a delicious and nutritious Holi menu that everyone will love. By using organic and healthy ingredients like jaggery, coconut oil, and spices, you can enjoy your favorite Holi dishes without compromising your health.
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So, whether you’re celebrating Holi with your family and friends or enjoying the festival in your own way, make sure to try these easy and healthy recipes and shop for your ingredients at Sabezy.com. With our commitment to organic and healthy products, you can be sure that you’re getting the best ingredients for your Holi special dishes. Happy Holi!