Diwali- A Festival of Lights and Diwali Mithai Ideas

 

Diwali: A Festival of Lights

Diwali, the festival of lights, holds a special place in my heart as it spans over four days, each brimming with joy and tradition. The first day, Dhanteras, sets the tone for the festivities as we embark on a journey of prosperity and wealth. It's a time when homes are adorned with lamps, and the sparkle of new purchases fills the air.

Day 2: Kali Chaudas

As the second day, Kali Chaudas, unfolds, we find ourselves immersed in the rituals of warding off negative energies. This day carries a sense of purification, both spiritually and physically. The lights continue to flicker, dispelling darkness and inviting positivity into our lives.

Day 3: Diwali Day

The third day, the grand Diwali itself, is a culmination of excitement and devotion. Families come together, temples resonate with prayers, and the air is filled with the sounds of joyous celebrations. Diyas (lamps) are lit, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness.

Day 4: New Year's Day

As the fourth day dawns, we welcome the New Year with open arms. It's a time for reflection, resolutions, and fresh beginnings. The entire celebration wraps up in a crescendo of fireworks, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.

In these moments, we gather with family, attend temples, and share laughter, making memories that linger long after the last firecracker has faded away. The aroma of homemade Diwali sweets fills our homes, a sweet offering to the gods and a gesture of love shared among family and friends. Diwali is not just a festival; it's a tapestry woven with threads of tradition, togetherness, and the radiant glow of a thousand lights.

 Below I am sharing some of my favourite Mithai, Diwali Sweets:

Coconut Ladoos

Coconut Ladoos, three flavours, plain, rose and Chocolate and Vanilla Flavours. A delicious and tasty Indian sweet dish made with three simple ingredients; desiccated coconut, condensed milk and milk powder. This basic ladoo mix can be flavoured in any way to suit your taste.

Choorma na Ladoos

Churma Ladoos are a very special ladoo made in many households all over Hindu households. They are made as an offering to the Elephant God Ganesh and served as an offering.  This prasad is a firm favorite of Lord Ganesh.

Dry Fruits Ladoos

Whether you're reaching for a quick pick-me-up or looking for a thoughtful gift, these Dry Fruits Ladoo fit the bill seamlessly. They offer the satisfaction of indulgence without the compromise on health. Packed with natural sweetness from dates and the richness of nuts, they redefine the notion of treats. 

Easy Shrikand

Shrikhand is a rich and creamy sweet dish that is made with hung yoghurt and flavoured with aromatic spices such as cardamom, saffron and enhanced with almonds and pistachios. It is traditionally served with fluffy puris in a Gujarati Thali.

Carrot Halwa

Carrot Halwa also known as gajar ka halwa is a very special classic Indian dessert that is made for celebrations, festivals and parties. There are various different ways to make the halwa , in this recipe I have used condensed and its a really simple way to make it even for an amateur cook. It is also healthier than the traditional method as it has minimal amount of clarified butter /ghee used in the recipe.

Penda

Indian Fudge is also known as Dudh Peda. This delicious and tasty fudge mithai is very easy to make and is very popular during Indian festivals, engagements and weddings. It is made as a prasadam (offering ) for the deities. You can make these in different flavors by adding nuts, spices and flavourings. This simple saffron and cardamom flavour gives these pedas a slight caramel colour making them absolutely delectable.

Bombay Halwa

Bombay Halwa with an added touch of almonds and pistachios makes it a really delectable sweet that would be perfect to serve for any occasion. Delicately flavoured with saffron and cardamom, it is a quick and easy sweet to make and enjoy.

Semolina Halwa

Semolina Halwa also known as Sooji no Sheero in Gujarat. It is a traditional sweet dish prepared as a offering for religious function of Satnarayan Pooja and enjoyed by all. It's rich and creamy with aromatic flavours of saffron, cardamom and enriched with almonds and pistachios.

Easy Almond Halwa

Easy Almond Halwa is a delectable smooth and tasty sweet that is the perfect treat to enjoy on any occasion. Flavoured with cardamon and saffron and a garnish of almond slivers and rose petals, its the most divine halwa to make and enjoy.

Meethi Sev

Easy meethi sev recipe is a very popular sweet dish in Gujarati cuisine. It's simply roasted vermicelli that is cooked in water, sweetened with sugar and flavoured with Pistachios, almonds, saffron, cardamom and cinnamon. A very simple sweet dish to put together and tastes delectable.

Chocolate Almond Fudge

Chocolate Almond Fudge is a delectable sweet treat that is made with very few ingredients. The fudge is smooth creamy and so chocolatey that one bite will not be enough.

Chocolate Crunch Nut Barfi

This recipe is so easy to put together and its a firm favourite with my family. We always make it every Diwali or on special occasions. The combination of nut, cereals and chocolate makes it delectable and you will not be able to stop at one piece.

These are some of my Favourite Diwali Mithai recipes that I make each year. If you are looking for inspiration all the recipe videos are linked so you can also create these yummy sweet treats and enjoy them with your family and friends.

Last but not least I would like to wish all my readers a Happy Diwali, Happy Holidays and a Very Happy New Year

Giveaway Hydration Hamper with Accessories

We are enjoying some lovely summer weather but did you know how important it is to keep your self hydrated?

What are the best ways to stay hydrated?

Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, diluted squash and fruit juices. You should drink at least 6-8 mugs of water throughout the day. In hot weather or when you're active, you're more likely to become dehydrated. The cells, tissues, and organs in your body require water in order to function properly. The water in your body maintains your body's temperature, removes waste, and lubricates your joints, for instance.

What drinks are suitable for hydration?

Drinking water is the best way to stay hydrated, but other drinks and foods can also help. Fruits and vegetables such as watermelon, tomatoes, and lettuce contain water. Did you know that having a hot drink rather than an iced drink in the warm weather is actually better to regulate your body temperature.

You can create your own flavoured smoothies, slushies and juices. Below are some recipe ideas for you to check out.

Cucumber and Lemon Water-This is a really refreshing water to have. It keeps you fully hydrated. You can make flavoured fruit waters by adding any fruits of your choice. I have tried adding strawberries, orange slices, kiwi and also ginger.

Virgin Strawberry Mojito-Mojito is a Cuban cocktail that is made using five key ingredients, rum, sugar, lime juice, mint leaves and sparkling water. This is a twist to the traditional Mojito where I have made it non alcoholic by omitting the rum and adding a summer  flavouring to it with the use of strawberries.

Orange, ginger and lemon iced tea-Orange and Lemon Grass iced Tea, This refreshing tea is really refreshing and the perfect cooler to enjoy on a hot summers day.

Chai Spiced Dalgona Coffee-Chai Spiced Dalgona Coffee- There is a craze for this whipped coffee at the moment which you can serve hot or cold. What is Dalgona Coffee? It's basically coffee granules, sugar and water in equal quantities whipped up at high speed to make a frothy cream to use as a topping on hot or cold milk. This is a twist to the standard dalgona coffee and I got the idea to make the chai spiced dalgona coffee as I am a big fan of masala chai. I also love adding spices to my coffee in different way such as this cinnamon coffee. Did you know coffee can make you healthy and happy.

Masala Milk-Creamy and Delicious saffron and cardamom flavoured Masala Milk. The masala milk was flavoured with saffron, cardamom, nutmeg and had a blend of  mixed nuts which are rich in protein, fibre and essential fats.

Salted Jeera Lassi- Chaas, Lassi, Buttermilk are all the same just know as different names in different regions of India. It is natural yoghurt that is whisked with water and made  as a sweet version by adding fruits so it's similar to a smoothie. It can also be made as a savoury version by adding salt and spices. It is a common accompaniment to any Indian meal or just served as a refreshing drink in the summer to beat the heat.

Indian Masala Tea-Strong spiced Indian tea flavoured with aromatic spices.

Strawberry Lemonade-Refreshing and delicious summer strawberries with a lovely citrus tang from lemons makes this lemonade simply delicious.

These are just a few drinks ideas to keep you hydrated. For more delicious recipes check my beverages recipes.  

Keeping hydrated is very important for everyone despite their age or activity. To encourage you all to keep hydrated I have put together a Hydration hamper as a giveaway to one lucky winner. The hamper includes some quirky coasters, a denby mug, a water bottle, bottle tops, fruit infusers, coffee and some fruit tea.

To take part in the giveaway follow these instructions:

How to Enter:

·         Simply complete the Rafflecopter widget below to verify your entries

·         Entries can be via blog comment, Facebook, Twitter etc

·         Please read the rules they form the terms and conditions of this Giveaway

·         Closing date – 14th  August 2023

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1. You will need to complete the mandatory entry first usually making a blog comment. You can do this by clicking on leave a comment at the bottom of the post and leaving your reply in the comment box. Please note your comment will not show immediately as it needs to be moderated however rest assured it will appear on the site, so carry on with rest of entries.
2. Login to Rafflecopter click to see what the question is. Make a comment answering the question on the blog.
3. Go back to Rafflecopter and click the green button to tell me you have made a comment, this will unlock all the other options. All entries are checked to see that the mandatory question is answered, if its not all bonus entries will become void. 
4. Rafflecopter will tweet, like and follow on your behalf.
5. For bonus entries you can return to this page and enter the daily bonus entries. 

      Rules:

• This giveaway is open to all readers over 18 who live in the UK.
• The winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter (which uses random.org) and announced on this page.
• Prize:  1xHydration Hamper with accessories worth £50.00
• simplyfood is hosting this giveaway  Their decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. They reserve the right to withdraw the competition at any time should any unforeseen circumstances arise, in case that the prize is not available a similar prize of same value will be substituted.  No monetary compensation will be given.
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Manthan Mayfair- Indian Cuisine.

London is one of the best cities in the world for dining out. The restaurant choices are endless, whether you want fine dining or fast food. There are countless restaurants serving Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Moroccan, Lebanese, and Indian cuisine. These are just a few, there are many more world-famous cuisines to enjoy. 

It was a pleasure to visit Manthan, an Indian restaurant recently. A short walk from Bond Street and Oxford Circus Stations, Manthan is situated on Maddox Street Mayfair. A Michelin-starred Indian Chef, Rohit Ghai and his business partner Abhishake Sangwan own the restaurant.

The Decor

The restaurant owners have used the space well, creating a stylish and uncluttered dining area with a focus on the central statement bar. The restaurant has an elegant contemporary theme with many décors inspired by the ocean, fish, and blue and green colours.

The Menu

Manthan offers an A la carte menu, tasting menus with food and wine pairings and brunch-sharing menus. The restaurant has an impressive drinks menu with a fantastic selection of wines and spirits to complement the food and enhance your dining experience. This includes a wide selection of cocktails and mocktails inspired by exotic fruits, botanicals, and infusions from the seven oceans of the world.

There are many dishes on the menu that are inspired by Indian street food. You can enjoy bar snacks and sharing plates as well as mouth-watering grills, curries, and a selection of the chef's signature dishes and family recipes.

We booked a table in the evening and chose the A la carte menu. A courteous and friendly waiter seated us at our table and we ordered mocktails. While I chose Sindhu, which was pomegranate, mint, lime, jaggery and sparkling apple. My partner chose Sapta, which was lemongrass, ginger with guava. The mocktails were both delicious and refreshing.

There were many dishes on the menu with a fusion touch, and it was difficult to decide what to have. A wide variety of vegetarian dishes are available. The manager was very helpful in suggesting what to sample and asked about allergies before taking our order.

Appetisers

For our appetisers we tried the Pyaaz Kachori, a deep-fried pastry garnished with Roscoff onions, sprouts, mint and green chutney, tamarind chutney and pomegranate seeds. There was an explosion of flavours in every mouthful.

We also ordered the Jackfruit Uthappam, a lentil rice pancake served in the shape of a taco filled with spicy cooked jackfruit filling. It was served with delicious coconut chutney and we really enjoyed it.

Both dishes were very unique in taste and flavour with just the right balance of spices. The presentation was top-notch in both dishes.

Main course

It was the manager's suggestion to order the Aubergine Moilee. The baby aubergines are cooked whole and served over coconut gravy. I am a huge Aubergine fan so I was excited to try this dish. 

We also ordered the slow-cooked Kali dal which was creamy and rich together with the Saag makai, a puree of spinach cooked with tender sweetcorn. 

The main course was completed with flaky tawa paratha and steamed rice to help mop up the delicious gravy and flavour the fluffy rice.

All three curries were very different, each cooked in its own blend of spices and presented beautifully. We loved the Saag Makai and Kali Dal as well as the Aubergine Moilee. I would have preferred some sort of spice-stuffing in the aubergine moilee instead of plain aubergines as they were a little bland on their own although the gravy was delicious.

Desserts

The meal would not be complete without dessert. I am sure you will agree there is always room for dessert. I chose the delectable classic Trio. It was presented in the style of a cheesecake with a layer of besan barfi layered with mini spongy gulab jamuns and a creamy srikhand topping. A beautiful garnish of chopped nuts and rose petals completed the look. 

As a big chocolate fan, my partner chose Narangi Chocolate. The mousse was rich and creamy and the addition of the tartness of the kumquats and tangy orange coulis really balanced the dark chocolate. The chocolate truffles added another dimension to the dessert and paired well to enhance the flavours and textures.

As a huge foodie, I was mesmerized by the beautiful presentation and the combination of flavours and textures. We loved both desserts, but the Narangi chocolate was the winner.

Ambience and Service

The ambience and service were wonderful, and despite the restaurant being busy, we found the waiters very attentive.

Value for money or not?

Even though the restaurant is a little on the pricey side, it is definitely worth a visit for its location, delicious food, ambience, and service. We will definitely visit again to sample the brunch menu.

Our reservation for Manthan was made through Open Table.

Manthan, 49 Maddox Street, London. W1S 2PQ. 020 7408 2258

**Collaborative Post

Healthy Zucchini Curry

Zucchini also known as courgette and baby marrow are summer squash, which are herbaceous vines whose roots and seeds are edible even when immature. It is closely related, but not identical, to the marrow. Zucchini is a very versatile vegetable with numerous health benefits.

 Benefits of Zucchini

• A variety of vitamins, minerals, and beneficial plant compounds can be found in zucchini. Cooked zucchini contains a large amount of vitamin A. It also contains antioxidants, which are found in the skin which is why it's better to keep the skin and not peel zucchini.
• As well as protecting you against certain cancers, such as prostate cancer, these may benefit your eyes, skin, and heart. 
• In addition to being high in fibre, zucchini may regulate blood sugar levels and increase insulin sensitivity, thereby reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes.
• Carotenoids, fibre, and potassium in zucchini may lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and other heart disease risk factors.
• You may be able to lower your risk of age-related eye conditions by eating zucchini because it is rich in manganese, lutein, zeaxanthin, and vitamins A and C.

How can you eat Zucchini?

The zucchini can be eaten raw or cooked in a variety of dishes, such as soups, stews, sandwiches, salads, baked goods, and more. Water and fibre in zucchini, combined with its low-calorie content, may help reduce hunger, which could lead to weight loss over time. This is why Zucchini is perfect to include in your weight loss programme.

Some recipes that I have made with Zucchini are Spanish Warm Courgette Salad and Mucver- Turkish Courgette Fritters

Can I cook zucchini with other vegetables?

You can make zucchini and potato curry, zucchini and peas curry and zucchini and fenugreek curry. 

Types of Zucchini

There are all shapes and sizes of zucchini. You can get yellow, green, stripped, round oval and long. In terms of flavour they are all very similar.

 

You can also watch a video of the recipe below:

My favourite 10 UAE vegetarian dishes

The cuisine of the United Arab Emirates (Arabic) is one of my personal favourites. I adore the flavours, textures and aromas of Arabic dishes. Arabic cuisine makes effective use of spices and the blend of sweet and savoury flavours is delectable. There are many dishes that are influenced by the nearby countries of Persia and India.

Here are some of my favourite Arabic dishes:

Pilaf made with Burghul wheat

Burghul wheat pilaf is a delicious one-pot meal that is made with a medley of vegetables. The dish is flavoured with Middle Eastern spices and served with a vegetable stew.

Man'ooshe Bread

There is a flatbread called man'ooshe available in almost every street bakery in the UAE. In general, it is served with a spread called Za'tar. This spread is made of sumac, sesame seeds, and salt, topped with tomatoes, onions, and salads of choice. Then, it is wrapped up and eaten.  

Dango

Dango is a lovely appetiser made with boiled chickpeas. The boiled chick peas are coated and stir-fried in cayenne pepper and spices and served as a snack

Fatoush

Fatoush is a delicious salad that is made with crunchy salad leaves, cucumber, tomatoes, peppers, delicious sweetcorn, pomegranate seeds and Lavash bread. It’s dressed with the flavours of sumac, pomegranate molasses and coriander.

Muhallabia Milk pudding.

Muhallabia is a creamy and rich milk pudding flavoured with rose water and rose petals. The pudding is served chilled and is very delicious. Often nuts are used as a garnish.

Tabbouleh

Tabbouleh is a salad made mostly of finely chopped parsley, with tomatoes, mint, onion, and bulgur, and seasoned with olive oil, lemon juice, salt and sweet pepper

Falafel

Falafel is a Middle Eastern snack. A deep-fried ball or flat-shaped patties made with ground chickpeas, herbs, and spices. They are usually served on a meze platter with hummus, pitta bread and salad.

Labneh

To make Labneh, full cream yoghurt is strained and then salt is added to it. This is the base, and you can flavour it with herbs and spices, drizzled with olive oil. It can be used as a dip.

Hummus

The main ingredients in hummus are chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and seasonings. Red pepper hummus, smoky paprika hummus, and caramelised onion hummus are just some of the variations you can make with hummus.

Couscous salad

A delicious couscous and chickpea salad is seasoned with aromatic herbs and spices. To enhance the flavour and texture, flaked almonds, dried apricots and pomegranate seeds are added.

Despite the fact that Arabic cuisine is predominantly meat-based, it makes use of a lot of fresh vegetables, herbs, and spices, making it a very healthy and nutritious cuisine. There are plenty of vegan and vegetarian options available to eat and enjoy in the UAE. 

If you are looking to travel to UAE, finding a restaurant in the UAE can be made easier by visiting the Square Meal UAE. Here you will find plenty of restaurant choices at a click of a button.

*collaborative post