Diwali Festival Food: Enjoy Festive Delights Like Coconut Barfi, Kalakand, Phirni

Diwali, the Indian festival of lights, is around the corner. An occasion that signifies darkness giving way to light can only mean a plateful of happiness and positive vibes for both our homes as well as hearts. Diwali festival food items thus take center stage as some of the most beloved desserts in India. In your search for Diwali mithai recipes, you will invariably find these traditional Indian Diwali desserts that inspire your taste buds.

Coconut Barfi

Owing to its often grainy texture and sweet flavor, this is one of the most popular Diwali desserts. This delectable is considerably well-loved and exchanged as gifts between families and guests.

Ingredients:

• 251 gm coconut (preferably grated)
• 202 gm condensed milk
• 103 gm ghee
• 2 tsp cardamom
• 1 tsp saffron
• 10-12 almonds (preferably grated)

Method:

1. You first need to combine the ghee, coconut, and condensed milk in a big saucepan.
2. Next, you have to keep stirring the mixture at regular intervals, over low heat, until it thickens.
3. After that, you can sprinkle a few saffron strands and cardamom powder.
4. You need to keep stirring the mixture thoroughly and let it heat for another five minutes.
5. In the end, you can take it off the heat and allow it to cool.
6. After that, you should transfer it to a greased tray and pat it down into the shape of a rectangle
7. Then you need to put it in the refrigerator to set.
8. Before serving, you have to remember to slice the cake into circles, squares, or rectangles and garnish with some grated almonds.

You should ideally use condensed milk of premium quality and fresh coconuts to intensify the flavor.

This one is a delicious, creamy milk-based Indian dessert popularised widely in Northern and Eastern India. You can prepare it for a family dinner during Diwali and watch the look of absolute joy on the faces of your close ones as they bite into the sweet dish’s creamy silky goodness.

Ingredients:

• 2-liter milk
• 201 gm sugar
• 53 gm ghee
• 2 tsp cardamom powder
• 1 tsp saffron

Method:

1. First and foremost, in a big pot, you have to boil the milk until it reduces by half of its initial volume.
2. Then, you have to add the cardamom powder, ghee, and granulated sugar.
3. Then, you need to keep stirring it regularly until the mixture starts to thicken.
4. Next, you can turn off the heat and stir in the saffron strands.
5. You need to take care to stir gently and allow the concoction to cool down.
6. Before putting it into the refrigerator, you have to press it into a square-shaped block on a tray that has been greased with ghee.
7. This step will require you to wait for about three hours until the sweet dish solidifies.
8. Before serving, you can slice it into square shapes and garnish with a pinch of cardamom powder.

It's crucial to stir the mixture frequently during cooking to get the ideal texture.

Phirni

This dessert is ideal for you in case you are a fan of Diwali mithai recipes that are decadent, rice-based, delicious, and creamy.

Ingredients:

• 201 gm rice
• 2-liter milk
• 203 gm sugar
• 54 gm ghee
• 2 tsp cardamom powder
• 1 tsp saffron
• Handful of nuts (mix of almonds, cashews and walnuts, preferably grated)

Method:

1. First you have to soak the rice in water for an hour.
2. Then, after straining it, you have to pour it into a food processor and mix it to form a silky paste.
3. After that, you have to bring the milk to a boil in a big pot.
4. At this step, you can add the cardamom powder, ghee, rice paste, and sugar.
5. You must stir it regularly until the mixture thickens.
6. After about 40 minutes you can take it off the heat and stir in saffron.
7. In the end, you can give it one good stir before putting it into the refrigerator for about two hours.
8. Before serving, you can garnish with some grated nuts and serve cold.

It is suggested that you use short-grain rice for this recipe, and taste it at regular intervals to adjust the amount of sugar for the best results.

While preparing these recipes, you can add nuts like almonds and walnuts for the crunch factor. It is also advisable that you experiment with flavors like rose water, and serve the desserts with masala tea or creamy coffee to bring out the intricate undertones of the sweet dishes.