Rakshabandhan festivities call for treating the sweet tooth and taste buds with scrumptious treats. For vegetarians, the usual store-bought sweets can get boring.
This Rakhi, delight your veggie-loving siblings with these 10 delectable vegetarian recipes that are sure to be a hit at the celebrations:
Traditional Sweet Recipes
1. Suji ka Halwa
This quintessential creamy halwa is made with semolina, sugar, nuts and ghee. The cardamom fragrance and smooth texture will have everyone asking for a second helping!
- Use fine or coarse semolina. Add almonds, pistachios, cashews.
- Cook in ghee for rich taste. Stir continuously to avoid lumps.
- Serve garnished with sliced fruits and silver vark for crunch.
2. Malai Kheer
Creamy rice pudding scented with green cardamom and saffron spells pure indulgence. Garnish with nuts for added crunch. Comforting kheer is a must on festive occasions.
- Soak and boil basmati rice in milk. Let it simmer until thickened.
- Flavor with cardamom, kewra, rose essence. Add dried fruits.
- Garnish with slivered nuts and creamy malai for extra richness.
3. Motichoor Rabdi
Fluffy, velvety rabdi swimming with colorful tiny boondi pearls makes for a stellar sweet dish. Your siblings will be delighted with this mouthwatering motichoor rabdi.
- Prepare tiny gram flour pearls by drizzling the batter into the hot oil.
- Boil and thicken full cream milk. Add saffron, and cardamom.
- Gently mix in the boondi pearls and serve chilled.
4. Coconut Barfi
Fragrant, melt-in-mouth coconut barfis are all-time favorites. Make a batch with fresh grated coconut, condensed milk and flavorings. Simple and delectable, they make great gifting sweets.
- Use fresh or frozen grated coconut. Add almonds, pistachios.
- Cook with condensed milk till mixture leaves the pan. Spread in tray and cut.
- Flavor with cardamom, saffron or rose essence. Make diamonds or squares.
Savory Snack Recipes
1. Masala Mathri
Crunchy, flaky mathris with spices are perfect snacks to munch on during Rakhi celebrations. Easy to prepare with everyday ingredients, you can make them in different shapes.
- Make crisp pastry with maida, oil, ajwain, salt. Roll and cut into shapes.
- Sprinkle cumin, black pepper, chili, ajwain flavored oil.
- Bake or deep fry till golden. Store in airtight container.
2. Samosa
A Rakhi spread has to have these crispy, spicy samosas! With a tangy potato stuffing enclosed in flaky pastry shells, they are irresistible and will be gobbled up fast.
- Prepare samosa cones with maida dough. Stuff boiled, spiced potatoes inside.
- Deep fry in hot oil till golden and crisp.
- Serve with sweet-tangy tamarind chutney or ketchup.
3. Kachori
Another hit snack is kachoris - round, crispy pastry pockets stuffed with spiced moong dal. They pair well with tangy chutneys. Make your own kachori masala to avoid readymade ones with preservatives.
- Stuff spicy lentil mixture into maida discs and seal tightly.
- Deep fry in hot oil till puffed and golden brown.
- Serve with date tamarind chutney and coriander chutney.
4. Vegetable Pakoda
Mix up crunchy, fried fritters like pyaaz pakoda, paneer pakoda, aloo pakoda and more using chickpea flour batter. They make great monsoon snacks for Rakhi celebrations.
- Make a spiced besan batter. Coat and deep fry veggies like onions, potatoes, paneer.
- Add spices like chili, ajwain, cumin to the batter. Can also add rava for crunch.
- Serve hot with mint coriander chutney or ketchup.
Hearty Main Course Recipes
1. Pav Bhaji
This aromatic veggie mash dish paired with soft toasted pav makes for comforting, wholesome fare. Add extra butter for richness!
- Prepare a smooth veggie mash with peas, potatoes, tomatoes, onions.
- Temper with garlic, spices and finish with butter.
- Serve as a sandwich with pav bread smeared with extra butter.
2. Vegetable Biryani
A festive spread has to have biryani! Make your own using aromatic basmati rice, fresh veggies, spices and saffron. Layer and cook it the traditional dum way. The flavors will bowl over your siblings.
- Part cook rice and veggies like peas, beans, potatoes separately.
- Layer rice and veggies. Dum cook sealed until flavors blend.
- Temper with fried onions, nuts and saffron milk for rich taste.
Make this Rakshabandhan extra special for your vegetarian siblings by cooking up these 10 regional recipes! Enjoy the celebrations and strengthen your bonds over these delectable treats.
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