Festive Recipes From Top Indian Chefs

festive recipes from top Indian chefs

This festive season, add a touch of gourmet to your celebrations with recipes straight from India’s chefs. Hashtag magazine offers chef-curated dishes that are perfect for family feasts or intimate gatherings. Easy to make and full of flavour here’s what should be on your festive menu.

Baklava by Chef Dr. Alisha

Dr. Alisha is a dentist by profession and a passionate foodie at heart. Her journey into the world of cooking began through unexpected life challenges, which led her to rediscover her love for food. This passion eventually gave rise to her popular digital platform, “Anyone Can Cook with Dr. Alisha.” Through her engaging content on YouTube and Instagram, she shares easy, flavourful recipes and culinary tips that prove cooking is not just for professional chefs it’s for everyone. 

Recipe:

Ingredients: For Homemade Phyllo Sheets 

All Purpose Flour (Maida)– 2 cups 

Salt -1 pinch 

Baking powder – 1.5 tsp 

Oil or desi ghee – 1/4 cup 

Milk & Water – 1/2 cup & 3-4 tbsp (as per need) 

To Coat: All-purpose flour (Maida) – 1/2 cup 

Cornflour – 1/2 cup 

For Dry fruit stuffing: 

Almonds – 1/2 cup 

Walnuts – 1/4 cup 

Cashews – a little less than 1/4 cup 

Pistachios – a little more than 1/4 cup 

Elaichi Powder – 1 tsp 

For Sugar Syrup Sugar – 

1 cup Water- 3/4 cup 

Lemon Juice – 5-6 drops

Kewra Essence – 1/2 tsp 

Kesar Essence – 1/2 tsp 

Desi ghee & Butter – 1/2 cup (to grease the layers)

For the Dough (Phyllo Sheets):

  1. In a large bowl, mix the maida, salt, and baking powder.
  2. Add 1 tbsp oil and mix well with the dry ingredients.
  3. Gradually add milk and water (or use) to form a semi-stiff dough. Add more water if needed.
  4. Knead well, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rest for 10 minutes.

Prepare the Stuffing:

  1. Finely chop dry fruits of your choice (almonds, cashews, walnuts, pistachios). Keep aside.

Make Phyllo Sheets:

  1. Mix all-purpose flour and cornflour to prepare a dry flour mix for dusting.
  2. Divide the rested dough into 22 equal balls, cover with a damp cloth.
  3. Roll out each ball into a roti-sized sheet, dusting with dry flour to prevent sticking.
  4. Stack the rolled sheets, dusting flour between each. Make 2 bundles of 11 sheets.
  5.  Take one bundle and roll the stack out as thinly as possible.
  6.  Gently separate the sheets—thanks to the flour dusting, they should come apart easily.
  7.  Repeat the same for the second bundle. Your homemade phyllo sheets are ready.

Assemble the Baklava:

  1.    Grease an 8-inch square or round baking dish with butter or desi ghee (or both).
  2.  Layer 11 phyllo sheets in the dish, greasing each one before placing the next.
  3.  Spread the dry fruit filling evenly over the layered sheets.
  4. Cover with the remaining 11 phyllo sheets, greasing each one as you stack.
  5. Grease the top layer and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 45–50 minutes.

Prepare the Sugar Syrup:

  1.  In a saucepan, combine sugar and water.
  2.  Add a few drops of lemon juice and essence of your choice (e.g., kewra, saffron).
  3.  Boil until the sugar completely dissolves. Remove from heat and set aside.

Final Steps:

  1.  Once baked, pour the hot sugar syrup over the hot baklava.
  2.  Garnish with chopped pistachios and let it rest for a few hours to absorb the syrup fully.

 

Saffron & Rose Fusion Modak by Chef Pawan Kumar
Chef Pawan Kumar, Executive Chef at Radisson Blu Pune Hinjawadi, brings over 20 years of culinary expertise to the table. Known for his inventive take on traditional Indian fare, he blends global techniques with regional roots to craft recipes that are both nostalgic and refreshingly modern. He shares his signature recipe of the classic modak with a delicate and aromatic spin.

Saffron & Rose Fusion Modak (Steamed with a Floral & Nutty Twist)

Filling (Saran):

  • 1 cup fresh grated coconut
  • ½ cup grated jaggery
  • 1 tsp ghee
  • 1 tsp finely chopped pistachios & almonds
  • ½ tsp rose water
  • ¼ tsp cardamom powder
  • A few strands of saffron soaked in warm milk
  • Optional: Edible silver leaf or dried rose petals

Outer Dough (Ukad):

  • 1 cup fine rice flour
  • 1 cup water
  • A pinch of salt
  • 1 tsp ghee
  • Optional: 1 tbsp beetroot or rose extract for colour

Fusion Variant – Chocolate Modak Filling (Optional):

  • 2 tbsp grated dark chocolate/choco chips
  • 1 tbsp desiccated coconut
  • 1 tbsp condensed milk
  • Pinch of sea salt

Method:

For the Filling:

  1. Heat ghee, add coconut, and sauté for 2 minutes.
  2. Add jaggery; cook until it thickens (about 5 minutes).
  3. Mix in saffron milk, nuts, rose water, and cardamom.
  4. Stir till mixture is sticky but dry. Cool completely.

For the Dough:

  1. Boil water with ghee and salt.
  2. Add rice flour, stir until a soft dough forms.
  3. Cover and rest for 5 minutes, then knead with wet hands.

Shaping the Modaks:

  1. Grease modak moulds.
  2. Press dough inside, add filling, seal base.
  3. For open-flower modaks, shape by hand.

Steaming:

  1. Place modaks on a greased banana leaf or steamer tray.
  2. Steam for 10–12 minutes. Rest for 2 minutes before serving.

Garnishing Suggestions:

  • Brush with saffron milk or warm ghee
  • Top with rose petals, pistachio dust
  • Serve over a banana leaf with rose syrup or rabdi dots
  • For chocolate variant: gold leaf + edible microgreens

Paan & Feta Stuffed Phyllo Parcels by Chef Jitender Chauhan:

With over 18 years of experience in F&B production, Chef Jitender Chauhan brings a rich culinary legacy to the table. He has served as Corporate Chef–R&D at Bercos, New Delhi, and held key positions at Harajuku Tokyo Café, JW Marriott, Shangri-La’s Eros Hotel, and The Oberoi Group. A specialist in cookery with training in Food Production & Pâtisserie, he’s known for his innovative take on Indian and global flavours. These golden, crisp phyllo parcels are filled with a refreshing and indulgent blend of crumbled feta, chopped paan leaves, toasted nuts, and subtle spices—perfect as a vibrant festive starter.

Ingredients (Makes 12 parcels)

Filling:

  • 8 fresh paan leaves, finely chopped
  • 150 g feta cheese, crumbled
  • 2 tbsp chopped toasted cashews
  • 1 tbsp chopped toasted almonds
  • 1 tsp fennel seeds, crushed
  • 1 tsp powdered sugar (optional)
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • Pinch of salt

For the parcels:

  • 6 sheets phyllo pastry
  • 50 g melted butter (for brushing)
  • Toasted sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions

  1. Make the Filling: Combine paan leaves, feta, nuts, fennel, sugar (optional), pepper, and salt in a bowl. Mix gently.
  2. Prepare the Phyllo: Preheat oven to 180°C. Layer two phyllo sheets, brushing each with butter. Cut into 4 squares. Repeat to get 12.
  3. Assemble: Spoon filling into the centre of each square. Bring corners together to form parcels. Seal gently, brush with butter, and top with sesame seeds if using.
  4. Bake/Fry: Bake on a lined tray for 12–15 minutes until crisp and golden. Serve warm with a garnish of edible flowers or microgreens.

Talaniche Modak (Fried Modak) by Sanika Renuke

Sanika Renuke is a dynamic food and lifestyle content creator known for her quirky personality, relatable storytelling, and knack for discovering culinary gems. From street food to fine dining, her honest, desi-flavoured take resonates deeply with young, urban food lovers. With a rapidly growing follower base, Sanika is building a loyal community that trusts her palate and vibrant energy.

Ingredients

For the Outer Covering:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (maida)
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp oil
  • Water (as needed)

For the Stuffing:

  • 1 cup grated dry coconut
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tbsp poppy seeds (khus khus)
  • 1 tbsp charoli (chirongi nuts)
  • 1 tsp cardamom powder

Other:

  • Oil for deep frying

Method of Preparation

To Make the Dough (Covering):

  1. In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, salt, and oil.
  2. Mix well until crumbly.
  3. Gradually add water to form a soft, smooth dough.
  4. Cover and rest for 10–15 minutes.

To Prepare the Stuffing:

  1. Grind the grated dry coconut and powdered sugar to a coarse mix.
  2. Add poppy seeds, charoli, and cardamom powder.
  3. Mix well and allow to cool.

To Shape and Fry Modak:

  1. Divide the rested dough into small, equal-sized balls.
  2. Roll each ball into a small disc, keeping the centre slightly thicker.
  3. Place 1 tbsp of stuffing in the centre.
  4. Pleat the edges, bring them together, and pinch to seal into a modak shape.
  5. Heat the oil on a low to medium flame.
  6. Deep fry the modaks until golden brown and crisp.
  7. Drain excess oil on paper towels.

Choco Gulkand Truffles by Neelam Agarwal

Neelam Agarwal is the heart and soul behind Neelam’s Cooking Diaries a space where Indian traditions meet modern simplicity. Once a corporate professional, she now brings festive cheer to thousands of families with her wholesome, nostalgic, and easy-to-follow recipes. Raised in a Marwari household where everything was lovingly made from scratch, Neelam’s festive creations are a beautiful blend of heritage and creativity.

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup desiccated coconut
  • 1/2 cup almonds (coarsely ground)
  • 1/2 cup cashews (coarsely ground)
  • 1 tbsp ghee
  • 2 tbsp gulkand
  • 2 tbsp condensed milk
  • 2–3 tbsp saffron milk (saffron strands infused in warm milk)
  • 1/4 tsp cardamom powder
  • 1 cup melted chocolate

Garnish: Slivered pistachios & dried rose petals

Instructions

  1. Toast the Dry Mix: Heat ghee in a pan. Add coconut, almonds, and cashews. Toast on a low flame for 5–6 minutes until lightly golden and aromatic. Transfer to a mixing bowl.
  2. Bind the Mixture: While the toasted mixture is still warm, add gulkand, condensed milk, saffron milk, and cardamom powder. Mix thoroughly until the mixture begins to hold shape.
  3. Shape the Truffles: Roll the mixture into bite-sized ladoos while it’s still pliable.
  4. Chocolate Coating:   Dip each ladoo into melted chocolate, coating it evenly. Place on parchment paper.
  5. Garnish & Set: While the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle with slivered pistachios and dried rose petals. Let the truffles cool and set completely.

 

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Shruti Mahajan: From Home Kitchens to Digital Food Education

Shruti Mahajan’s relationship with food began long before social media. Raised in a home where meals symbolised comfort and connection, she grew up understanding that food was never just functional; it was emotional infrastructure. Today, based in Delhi NCR, she balances a full-time corporate career alongside a steadily growing culinary platform. Her dual life reflects her personality: equal parts structured and creative. “I’ve always balanced discipline with imagination,” she shares. Managing time, health, and responsibility firsthand shaped her belief that food solutions must work in real life, not just on screen. Simplifying the Everyday Shruti identifies as a culinary content creator and digital educator, but her core mission is simpler: make healthy eating realistic. She noticed that nutrition-forward cooking often felt overwhelming or aspirational. “Food is something we deal with every single day,” she says. “If we can make it easier and healthier, it genuinely improves quality of life.” Her content is built around that practicality, short, efficient recipes designed for busy schedules. Shruti’s signature format includes 30–40 second recipes that viewers can watch, save, and cook without friction. She focuses on ingredients already present in Indian kitchens and has carved a niche by making millets engaging, from Ragi Brownies and Ragi Dhokla to Millet Sambar Khichdi. Built on Consistency Her journey began quietly, experimenting in her own kitchen and sharing what worked. There was no dramatic pivot, only persistence. Balancing content creation alongside a demanding job required discipline. That phase reinforced her core belief: consistency outweighs perfection. The turning point came when followers began writing, “I actually tried this.” That validation signalled impact. Today, she is focused less on virality and more on systems, structured PDFs, nutrition-led education, and scalable tools that empower everyday cooks. Power in Balance Shruti operates on three principles: balance over extremes, progress over pressure,

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Suzann Homan: A Corporate Lawyer Crafting Goa’s Premium Spirits

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Natasha Gandhi’s journey into food was anything but predictable. Once on the path to becoming a Chartered Accountant, she attempted the exams five times before confronting a difficult truth: her heart wasn’t in it. “Walking away from CA was terrifying,” she admits, but that leap of faith led her back to her kitchen, where she began experimenting with healthy, gluten-free, vegan desserts. What started as curiosity soon deepened into a calling. A defining moment came when she stepped onto MasterChef India, finishing as a top finalist. The platform sharpened her confidence and creative voice, introducing her to a national audience. From there, she began sharing recipes online, building a community around wholesome, hearty food rooted in story. Today, many know her as the ‘Biryani Queen,’ a title born from her ability to honour tradition while reimagining comfort food in nourishing, accessible ways. Food as Memory and Medicine Natasha describes her work as culinary storytelling. She documents traditions, reinterprets classics, and brings regional and community-driven recipes into modern kitchens. “Food, for me, is both memory and medicine,” she says. Her philosophy challenges the idea that healthy eating must feel restrictive. Instead, she champions balance, dishes that are satisfying, flavourful, and mindful without sacrificing soul. Heritage with a Modern Lens What distinguishes her voice is her focus on lesser-known regional dishes, from diverse biryanis to India’s pasta-like traditions, presented in ways that feel approachable for home cooks. She avoids chasing fleeting trends, choosing instead to create from curiosity and passion. Her signature strength lies in transforming indulgent favourites into healthier versions without compromising on depth. That blend of heritage, innovation, and mindful cooking defines her identity. Breakthrough Moments Growing up in a Punjabi household where food was celebration and identity, Natasha was surrounded by rich flavours and vibrant conversations. Influenced by chefs

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