Holi is one of the most vibrant and joyous festivals in India, celebrated with colours, music, and food. It marks the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil. Holi is also a time to enjoy some of the most delicious and traditional dishes specially prepared for this occasion. Whether you are celebrating Holi with your family, friends, or neighbours, Dhanush Kumar lists down popular Holi dishes that will add flavour and fun to your festival.
Gujiya
Gujiya is a sweet dumpling made with a pastry crust, filled with a mixture of Khoya, nuts, and dried fruits. It is deep-fried or baked until golden and crisp and then dipped in sugar syrup. Gujiya is one of Holi’s most popular and loved sweets and is often made in large batches and shared with everyone. You can also experiment with different fillings, with chocolate, coconut, or cheese.
Thandai
Thandai is a refreshing and aromatic drink made with milk, almonds, pistachios, poppy seeds, fennel seeds, cardamom, rose petals, saffron, and sugar. It is served chilled and often spiked with bhang to enhance the festival mood. Thandai is the perfect drink to quench your thirst and cool you down after playing with colours. You can also make a vegan version of thandai using almond or coconut milk instead of dairy milk.
Dahi Vada
Dahi vada is a savoury snack made with deep-fried lentil fritters soaked in yogurt and topped with spicy and sweet chutneys, roasted cumin powder, red chilli powder, and fresh coriander leaves. It is soft, creamy, tangy, and delicious and can be enjoyed as a starter or a side dish. Dahi vada is also easy to make and can be prepared in advance and refrigerated until serving. You can also use different types of lentils, such as moong dal, urad dal, or chana dal, to make the vadas.
Papri Chaat
Papri chaat is a crunchy and mouth-watering street food made with crispy flatbread pieces topped with boiled potatoes, chickpeas, yogurt, tamarind chutney, green chutney, sev, and chaat masala. It is a burst of flavours and textures in every bite and can be customized according to your taste and preference. Papri chaat is a great snack to munch on while playing Holi and can also be served as a light meal.
Chana Masala
Chana Masala is a spicy and flavourful curry made with chickpeas cooked in tomato-onion gravy and seasoned with various spices, such as garam masala, turmeric, coriander, and ginger. It is a hearty dish with rice, roti, or puri. Chana masala is rich in protein and fiber and can be made vegan by skipping the ghee or butter. You can add some spinach, potatoes, or paneer to make it more nutritious.
Barfi
Barfi is a fudge-like sweet made with condensed milk, sugar, and various ingredients, such as nuts, coconut, fruits, or chocolate. It is cut into square or diamond shapes and decorated with silver or gold leaf, pistachios, or almonds. Barfi is a simple sweet made with different flavours and colours, such as saffron, pistachio, almond, and carrot.
Namak Para
Namak Para is a crispy, salty snack made with all-purpose flour, semolina, oil, salt, and water. It is rolled into thin sheets, cut into diamond shapes, and deep-fried until golden and crisp. Namak Para is a crunchy and addictive snack that can be stored for a long time and enjoyed anytime. You can also add some spices, such as cumin seeds, carom seeds, or nigella seeds, to make it more flavourful.
Conclusion
Holi is a festival of colours, happiness, and food. These seven dishes are some of the most popular and traditional ones you can make and enjoy on this occasion. They are easy to make, delicious, and fun to share.
