Holi Feast: Dishes that Brighten the Festivities

Among the vibrant cultural landscape of India, Holi, dearly referred to as the festival of colours, holds a deep significance across the country. It is noted with a smearing of hues, remembrance of good triumphing over evil and recounting mythological stories. The festival's spirit brings together families and friends and gradually, a feast of Holi festival foods ensues. Eager to learn more about the mouth-watering dishes you should try this season? If so, then follow along as we illustrate the famous Holi festival sweets and savouries that can make for a hearty feast menu at your home party.

In the account of the Holi festival, here are some traditional sweets and savoury foods eaten across the country:

1. Malpua

Among the other widely celebrated Holi sweets is the indulgent Malpua. This is a fluffy, fried, golden-brown pancake made with refined flour, banana and milk. This crispy perfection soaked in fragrant sugar syrup transforms the dish into a melt-in-your-mouth treat that cannot be missed during this festive season.

2. Dahi Vada
 

This dish is a crowd favourite consumed over an afternoon of childlike fun, sprinkling coloured powder and water over your closest friends. Dahi vada is essentially made by deep-frying lentil batter until soft and crispy. The savoury fritters are introduced in a chilled bath of seasoned yoghurt and served with a drizzle of tamarind-mint chutney, as well as a pinch of chaat masala and cumin powder.
 

3. Gujiya
 

If you are a fan of fried Holi dishes, then gujiya is the one for you. This sweet delight resembles a crescent moon, made from refined flour that gives it a crispy, flaky outer shell. The nutty crust covers a sweet, decadent filling of khoya (milk solids), sugar and dried fruits, such as almonds, pistachios and cashews.

4. Dhuska
 

From the tribal heartland of Jharkhand hails the infamous dhuska. This is a savoury snack made from rice and channa dal. The batter is later fried until golden brown. Dhuska is enjoyed hot off the tawa with a spicy potato curry or chutneys.

5. Ranga Dima
 

Translating to red eggs in Assam, Ranga Dima is a Holi traditional food made in the region to celebrate the Doul Utsav. The dish is simple yet spicy, bringing versatility to the palate during this festive season. It is made by coating boiled eggs with turmeric, salt, and red chilli powder before deep-frying them to perfection.

6. Kathal Sabzi
 

Kathal is another word for the green seasonal fruit, jackfruit. As spring brings in abundance, ‘kathal ki sabzi’ imbibes the same, making it a true Holi festival delicacy recipe. The fruit is cleaned and cooked with a medley of onion, tomatoes, ginger-garlic paste, as well as an array of spices, such as coriander, turmeric, cumin, and so on. This savoury dish is often enjoyed with a side of roti or rice.

7. Thandai
 

One of the most beloved Holi festival foods is Thandai. This tall glass of chilled drink is a Holi staple and is consumed throughout the day. The beverage is made with milk, a mix of dry fruits, sugar, fennel seeds, carbon, and other spices blended and cooked to perfection before finally chilled before serving.

A Complete Holi Feast Menu: Make Your Own at Home

Are you looking forward to recreating these Holi festival foods at home? Here is a fun guide that you can use to assemble a complete Holi feast dishes menu that celebrates the vibrancy of the festival:
 

● Appetisers: Begin your course with the dahi vada, dhuska or a tangy aloo tikki chat. These Holi snack recipes are easy to prepare and offer a wide range of textures and flavours close to that of Indian street food. This trick makes appetisers an instant hit and the perfect way to kickstart the celebration.
 

● Main courses: Once your guests have relished the appetisers, quickly follow through with some hearty main courses. Your menu can include dishes such as kathal ki sabzi, luchi (puri), channa masala as well as basanti pulao. Serve these with accompaniments like raita, salads, or savoury options like ranga dima.
 

● Desserts: Complete your meal with a sumptuous serving of gujiya, thandi or malpua with rabdi. These staples are Holi special foods for a reason, adding sweetness and delight to end your well-rounded feast.

Spice Spotlight: Common Aromatics in Holi Dishes

Be it indulgent desserts or Holi snack recipes, the element that helps build these dishes' flavour landscape is spices. Here are some of the most common aromatics you may come across while cooking the above classics:

Cardamom:
 

Available in two types, black and green, both pods are heavily used in sweet as well as savoury dishes. The spice can either be ground into a powder or added whole to lend a warm yet slightly citrusy note to your meal.

Saffron
 

Dishes like malpua, rabdi and thandai are infused with saffron to elevate their vibrancy. Saffron imparts a distinct aroma and yellowish-orange tinge to these delicacies.

Cumin
 

This spice is the backbone of many curries as well as snack preparations. Used whole or ground, cumin releases an earthy aroma, warmth and deep flavour that makes it a must-have in spice blends.

Turmeric
 

Turmeric is indispensable in Indian cooking. Revered for its iconic yellow hue and unique flavour, turmeric is a staple in curries, stews as well as sweet dishes.

The spices that you see in your everyday cooking are the exact ones that are used to capture the essence of Holi. From the crispy gujiyas and chilled thandai to the filling dhuska, each dish is impeccably prepared and lovingly served through this festivities while narrating the story of tradition, culture and beliefs. This season, why not recreate these Holi festival foods in the comfort of your own home and celebrate the joy with your loved ones? With a little preparation and this guide, you can create memories that will last a lifetime.

Are you curious to find the best spices out there to elevate your home cooking? If so, then Sunrise Spices range of blended, whole and basic spices is the one-stop solution for your needs. Their array of spices includes chana masala powder, cumin powder, turmeric powder and many more.

FAQs

1. What are the traditional sweets eaten during Holi?

During the Holi festival, sweets take centre stage, with malpua, phirni and gujiya being prime examples of it. These are served cold and hot according to the preferences of the individual and shared with friends and family as a gesture of love and goodwill.

2. Are there any savoury snacks typically served during Holi celebrations?

Absolutely! There are several Holi festival recipes that play an equally important role in balancing out the palate and providing a well-rounded feast. Some of the most common savoury options you may come across during Holi are dahi vada, dhuska, kachori, aloo tikki chaat, pakore and so on.