Besan Ladoo (Gram Flour Sweets)

A classic sweet made from roasted gram flour, sugar and ghee. Simple, rich and aromatic.

Ingredients:

2 cups gram flour (besan)

1 cup ghee (clarified butter)

1 cup icing sugar or fine caster sugar

½ tsp cardamom powder

Chopped nuts (optional)

Method:

1. Heat ghee in a large pan and add the gram flour.

2. Stir continuously on low heat until it turns golden brown and smells nutty.

3. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.

4. Add sugar, cardamom powder and nuts. Mix well.

5. Roll the mixture into small round ladoos while it’s still warm.

6. Leave to set and store in an airtight container.

Gulab Jamun (Milk Dough Balls in Syrup)

Soft, syrup-soaked dumplings that are pure indulgence.

Ingredients:

1 cup milk powder

¼ cup plain flour

¼ tsp baking soda

2 tbsp ghee

2 tbsp milk (or as needed)

For syrup: 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water, few drops of rose water, pinch of cardamom

Method:

1. Mix the dry ingredients and add ghee and milk to form a smooth dough.

2. Roll into small balls.

3. Fry in medium-hot oil until golden brown.

4. In a separate pan, heat sugar and water to make syrup. Add rose water and cardamom.

5. Soak the fried balls in warm syrup for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Kaju Katli (Cashew Fudge)

A diamond-shaped cashew sweet, smooth and delicate - a Diwali favourite.

Ingredients:

1 cup cashews

½ cup sugar

¼ cup water

1 tbsp ghee

Method:

1. Grind cashews into a fine powder (avoid over-blending into paste).

2. In a pan, heat sugar and water until it forms a light syrup.

3. Add the cashew powder and stir until it forms a soft dough.

4. Add ghee and knead lightly.

5. Roll the dough flat between sheets of parchment and cut into diamond shapes.

Coconut Barfi

A quick and fragrant sweet made from coconut and condensed milk.

Ingredients:

2 cups desiccated coconut

1 tin sweetened condensed milk

1 tbsp ghee

½ tsp cardamom powder

Method:

1. Heat ghee in a pan, add condensed milk and coconut.

2. Stir continuously on low heat until it thickens.

3. Add cardamom powder and mix well.

4. Spread onto a greased tray, flatten, and cut into squares once cooled.

Chakli (Spiral Crunchy Snack)

A popular crispy snack made from rice and gram flour.

Ingredients:

1 cup rice flour

½ cup gram flour

1 tbsp butter

½ tsp turmeric, chilli powder, sesame seeds, salt

Water (as needed)

Method:

1. Mix all ingredients into a firm dough.

2. Use a chakli mould (or piping bag) to make spirals on greaseproof paper.

3. Deep fry until golden and crisp.

4. Cool and store in airtight containers.

Mathri (Crispy Spiced Crackers)

Perfect for snacking or serving with tea.

Ingredients:

2 cups plain flour

3 tbsp semolina (optional for crunch)

4 tbsp ghee or oil

Salt, carom seeds (ajwain), pepper to taste

Water (to knead)

Method:

1. Mix dry ingredients and rub in ghee until crumbly.

2. Add water gradually to form a firm dough.

3. Roll into small discs and prick with a fork.

4. Fry slowly on low heat until crisp and light golden.

Samosas

Golden pastry pockets filled with spiced potatoes and peas - a festival must-have.

Ingredients:

Pastry dough (plain flour, oil, salt, water)

Filling: potatoes, peas, cumin, garam masala, salt, chilli powder

Method:

1. Make the filling by sautéing boiled potatoes and peas with spices.

2. Roll dough into small circles, cut in half, and form a cone.

3. Fill with mixture and seal edges.

4. Deep fry until golden brown.

Thandai (Spiced Milk Drink)

A cooling, fragrant drink traditionally made with milk, nuts and spices.

Ingredients:

2 cups milk

2 tbsp sugar

1 tbsp almond and pistachio paste

A pinch of saffron

Cardamom powder, rose water (to taste)

Method:

1. Warm milk and add sugar, nuts, and saffron.

2. Simmer for 5 minutes, then strain and chill.

3. Add rose water before serving.

Masala Chai (Spiced Tea)

The perfect comfort drink for Diwali gatherings.

Ingredients:

2 cups water

1 cup milk

2 tsp loose black tea

1 tsp grated ginger

2 cardamom pods, 1 small cinnamon stick, sugar to taste

Method:

1. Boil water with tea, spices, and sugar.

2. Add milk and simmer for a few minutes.

3. Strain and serve hot.