Raksha Bandhan is just around the corner, and it is an occasion everyone looks forward to. You tie a rakhi on anyone’s hand you see your brother, your protector, someone who has been there for you always. While Raksha Bandhan was always a sister tying a rakhi to a brother, it is safe to say that the idea has changed now. People now are into the idea of tying a rakhi to anyone who has been their friend, confidante and protector, be it a brother, sister, friend, some elder or anyone. It is a celebration of love, and which occasion is ever complete without savories and yummy dishes? Here are few delicious recipes for Raksha Bandhan 2021 you can cook and serve warm and fresh from a casserole.
1. Palak Paneer
For all the vegetarians out there, palak paneer is like the basic dal and sabzi for every festival. It is milk, it is nutritious, and every bit delicious. It also makes for a perfect accompaniment to rich, spicy dishes! Serve them with hot parathas or butter naan or Makki ki roti. Spinach leaves, tomatoes, fenugreek leaves are ground and cooked with spices. Fried paneer cubes are added and cooked a little bit more. If you are not keen on dairy products, you can use tofu, potato, or cauliflower instead.
2. Fig Barfi
Figs are a powerhouse of nutrients that include soluble fiber, minerals like iron, magnesium, iron, copper, and calcium. The healthiest version of a barfi is this fig barfi. Dry roast the chopped dry fruits and keep them aside. Add the chopped figs to a pan along with some water. Add dates, raisins, cardamom, and nutmeg powder to the figs. Cook until you get a mushy consistency. Add the nuts and stir well. Make sure it is firm. Spread the mixture on a greased plate and let it cool. Cut it into pieces, and your barfis are ready!
3. Malai Kofta
An amazing dish for all you vegetarians out there, this malai kofta is just what you need for an occasion like this! A ladleful of this dish with naan or some plain pulao is a match made in heaven! The diced potatoes and veggies are separately boiled in water. The vegetables, potatoes, cream, and paneer are mashed in a bowl. Spices and salt are added to make it into a dough. The balls are rolled, and nuts are inserted. After the balls are fried, the gravy is prepared by frying the onions and grinding them with ginger, tomatoes, garlic, cumin, and spices. The nuts paste is added to the sauce and cooked! Your malai kofta is ready for the kill!
4. Moong Dal Halwa
Hailing from Northern India, this halwa recipe is both a comfort and festive dish. This sweet is extremely versatile. Moong is high in its nutrient value as it is rich in vitamins A, B, C, E, and minerals like potassium, calcium, and iron. Soak the moong dal overnight. Drain them in the morning and grind them to make a smooth paste. Add ghee to a pan and add the ground dal. Stir well until the raw aroma disappears, and you get a granular consistency. Take another pan and add 1 cup of milk, water, and sugar. Heat till it boils. Add the boiled milk to the dal and keep stirring. Wait till the milk is absorbed. Add raisins, cardamom powder, and pistachios. You can also add chopped almonds and cashews. Halwa never tastes good when cold, so store your halwa in a hot case or an insulated casserole.
5. Kashmiri Rogan Josh
This rich, aromatic Mughlai dish is spiced pulao or biryani. This delectable recipe is perfect for Raksha Bandhan. It might be a little time consuming, so make sure you start a little early. The lamb is marinated in rich spices for a few hours before adding to a pan with friend whole spices. Water is added for consistency and cooked on low flame for a while. It is seasoned with garam masala and nutmeg. The dish is garnished with coriander leaves. Second helpings are guaranteed for this one!
6. Phirni
Mughals sure have left India with some wonderful recipes. This delicious creamy rice pudding is one of them. It is sweet. It melts in your mouth and also your heart. The ground basmati rice is mixed in milk and added to boiling milk. Blanched and chopped pistachios, cardamom, sugar, and saffron are added and cooked until you attain a thick consistency. Garnish and decorate with pistachios. It is best served cold!
7. Dates Kheer
Dates are classic, and dates are healthy. This recipe is easy to make and doesn’t need any added sweetener. You can adjust the number of dry fruits according to your need and preference. This recipe is a healthy swap for all other kheer recipes, which include a lot of sugar. Deseed the dates and roughly chop them into small pieces. Soak the pieces in warm milk. Soak cashews and almonds in warm water and peel the almond skin. Add the dates and the milk to a blender and keep the paste aside. Add cashews and almonds to a blender. Keep the paste aside. Add ghee to a pan and the dates paste. Add boiled milk and sauté well. Add the cashews and almonds paste and cook on low flame, followed by cardamom powder and your garnish with small, chopped dates. Relish your dates kheer this festival season, and don’t forget to serve it in a serving casserole to retain that freshness in your dessert!
8. Churros
Churros are long, crispy, doughy desserts laced with snow-white sugar icing. They are of Spanish origin and are eaten after being dipped in a big bowl of melted chocolate. Heat oil in a wok/kadhai. Sift flour with baking powder on a plate. Knead the dough with salt-sugar water. Stuff the dough in a piping bag and squeeze out long pieces, cutting with scissors. Deep fry till golden. Drain it on a piece of absorbent paper and immediately roll in cinnamon and sugar. Now dust off the extra powder. Serve. You can also serve churros with some chocolate sauce or maple syrup.
9. Malpua
This popular pancake-like Indian dessert from North India is prepared for festivals and special occasions. This recipe is impossible not to like and is simple to prepare. Make a smooth batter with gram flour, Semolina, Milk powder, Milk, Cardamom powder. Mix sugar, lemon juice, water and saffron to make the sugar syrup. Heat ghee in a non-stick pan. Pour the batter into the ghee and cook. Strain and soak malpuas in the sugar syrup. Garnish with almonds and pistachios.
10. Shahi tukda recipe with condensed milk
This quick dessert can be prepared easily at home. It is also called Double ka meetha in some parts of the country. Place a skillet on the stove and cut the bread slices diagonally. Toast them by applying butter or a little ghee. Toast them on low heat, allowing the bread to get evenly cooked. Slide the bread slices one by one into the sugar syrup. Dip for about 1 minute and put them on a rack. Arrange the bread tukda on a serving plate and add the condensed milk over the top. Garnish with sliced pistachios and almonds.
Conclusion
Celebrate Raksha Bandhan with lots of yummy dishes and sweets. What better to celebrate such a beautiful festival than lots and lots of tasty food for your loved ones? These recipes are easy yet ravishing for this occasion. Have a lovely raksha bandhan folks!
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