Certainly, Diwali is the eagerly anticipated highlight of the year, celebrated with immense enthusiasm and grand festivities. However, preparing for a week-long celebration can be stressful. Preparing menus and shopping ahead is the key to a successful Diwali season.

When it comes to groceries, your local Patel Brothers is your one-stop shop for all your Diwali shopping needs. This year, Diwali will start on November 10, 2023, and end on November 14, 2023.

Whether you intend to host a lavish Diwali dinner gathering with an extensive menu or opt for a more intimate celebration with your closest loved ones, we have curated and designed the ideal Diwali menu. It features our favorite recipes, blending the essence of both traditional and contemporary dishes. This Diwali menu offers a rich tapestry of flavors, allowing you to select your preferred items from each category and transform this festive season into a culinary celebration.

Appetizers:

1. Chaat Board

Commencing with starters, this viral chaat board provides a delightful way to savor a diverse range of flavors and textures all on one platter. It offers your guests the opportunity to indulge in delectable Indian street foods like chana chaat, pani puri, and pav bhaji. This chaat board is not just a treat for the taste buds but also an appealing visual delight.

2. Pakora

During Diwali, hot, crunchy, and crispy pakoras are an absolute essential. Pakoras are spicy fritters made by dipping vegetables in a gram flour-based batter and deep fried. There are endless varieties of Pakoras, however, common varieties include onion, potato, spinach, and eggplant.  Pakoras are traditionally served alongside refreshing mint chutney.

3. Dahi Vada

Dahi Vada is a perennial favorite appetizer during festivals and special occasions. Dahi Vadas are prepared by soaking deep-fried fritters made from lentil and chickpea flour in whipped yogurt topped with chaat masala.

4. Boondi Raita

If you are in a time crunch, you can use ready-made Boondi raita to serve as an appetizer. This recipe has two super easy ways to make boondi raita quickly.  Boondis can be added as crunchy or can be added as soft by soaking in water for a few minutes. Yogurt is whipped and spices such as red chili powder, chat masala,  black pepper powder, and black salt are added. Lastly, Boondi is added on top and mixed with yogurt. Boondi raita is a refreshing and cooling accompaniment that can be served with spicy main entrees.

Main Entrees:

1. Biryani

Transitioning into the main course, Biryani takes the lead as the finest Indian rice dish, setting the party in motion. To prepare it, a medley of spices, including cardamoms, cloves, black cardamom, cinnamon, bay leaf, caraway seeds, turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, and garam masala powder, is added to a  heated oil pan. Next, tomato puree, ginger garlic paste, and green chilies are sauteed and vegetables are added.

Once the vegetables have been thoroughly cooked, they are carefully layered with boiled rice and garnished with cilantro, mint, green chilies, and saffron-infused water. Finally, the dish is sealed with aluminum foil and a lid, allowing it to cook over low heat for 10 to 15 minutes. Biryani is traditionally served alongside Hari Chutney Raita and a refreshing salad.

2. Paneer Masala

Paneer, often referred to as cottage cheese, holds a special place in every Indian’s heart, emerging as a cherished cheese. This is an absolute delight for all the paneer enthusiasts out there. Paneer boasts a milky and creamy flavor that enhances any dish.

This simple yet indulgent paneer masala recipe is brimming with succulent and aromatic spices like cumin seeds, cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, kasoori methi, and more. Paneer masala pairs perfectly with naan or plain basmati rice.

3. Butter Paneer

Paneer and butter form a heavenly pairing. Butter paneer, also recognized as Paneer Makhani, serves as a wonderful vegetarian alternative to butter chicken. This restaurant-style dish features creamy paneer cubes immersed in a luscious tomato-based gravy. Butter paneer is known for its velvety texture, rich butteriness, and mild touch of spiciness.

4. Palak Paneer

Palak paneer is a classic North Indian dish. Palak paneer is the best way to eat your greens. First blanched and then pureed, spinach is cooked with spices on low heat. The cream is then added to contribute to richness. Lastly, pan-seared paneer is added on top before serving.  Palak Paneer is wholesome, creamy, and luscious.

5. Aloo Tikki

When it comes to Indian foods made solely with potatoes, Aloo Tikki is the winner. Aloo Tikki is prepared by boiling potatoes and adding a variety of spices,  onions, green chilies, and cilantro. The potato mixture is shaped into individual patties and deep-fried to create a crispy outer layer while remaining soft.  They are served hot with mint or tamarind chutney.

Desserts:

1. Coconut Ladoos or Coconut Ladoos with Rose

Diwali is known for its scrumptious array of mithai and desserts. Diwali is incomplete without ladoos. Coconut ladoos can be made quickly with just a few staple pantry ingredients. These homemade coconut ladoos are guaranteed to melt in your mouth. This pocket-friendly mithai can also be given as a favor to family and friends. Coconut ladoos are a delightful dessert.

2. Gulab Jamun

Gulab Jamun is a brown-colored melt-in-your-mouth mithai. This deep-fried ball-shaped mithai is made from milk solids, flour, and sugar. Once deep-fried and brown, it is soaked in a sticky syrup that consists of sugar, cardamom, saffron, and rosewater for a few hours. Gulab Jamuns are typically served warm.

3. Ras Malai Cake Jars

Ras Malai cake is often compared to the Indian version of tres leche cake.  This amazing fusion dessert combines the flavors of traditional Ras Malai and cake.

Ras Malai Cake jars present a delightful composition of cake layers soaked in Ras Malai syrup, complemented by a dollop of whipped mascarpone icing, all in perfectly portioned single servings. They are perfect for Diwali and a creative twist on a classic Indian dessert.

4. Diwali Charcuterie Board

This effortless yet trendy mithai charcuterie is sure to leave a lasting impression on your guests. If you are running low on time, you have the option to select your preferred ready-made Indian sweets (mithai) from your nearby Patel Brothers store. Choices like jalebi, barfi, and ladoos not only create an eye-catching presentation but also promise a delectable addition to your charcuterie board.

5. Paneer Kalakand

Kalakand is prepared swiftly with minimal ingredients, including milk powder, condensed milk, and paneer. It’s a convenient mithai that embodies the essence of Diwali. Paneer Kalakand offers a delightful treat with its luxurious, creamy consistency complemented by a subtle hint of cardamom and topped with pistachios.

6. Gulab Jamun Cheesecake

Cheesecakes stand as timeless yet sophisticated desserts, and the addition of gulab jamuns elevates them to a whole new level. Gulab Jamun cheesecake is a prime example of a fusion Indian dessert that harmonizes a symphony of flavors and textures. This delightful creation not only pleases the eyes but also tantalizes the taste buds.

The crust for this cheesecake is crafted from crushed biscuits and melted butter, forming the base of individual jars before being baked. The subsequent layer involves a sumptuous blend of cream cheese, sugar, sour cream, heavy cream, cornstarch, saffron, cardamom powder, and rose essence, meticulously mixed by hand.

To complete the masterpiece, gulab jamuns are delicately placed atop each jar before a final round of baking. The jars are then refrigerated overnight. When it’s time to serve, they are garnished with crushed pistachios, delicate rose petals, and a touch of vark.

Drinks

1. Saffron Chai

An Indian dinner party wouldn’t be truly complete without a cup of chai. End the evening with a touch of indulgence through saffron chai. Saffron-infused chai boasts richness and an exotic aroma, making it the ideal way to wrap up the festivities.

This menu presents an array of diverse flavors and textures, promising an extraordinary Diwali supper. Your dinner is certain to be a sensory delight for your closest loved ones. Patel Brothers extend their warm wishes for a joyous Diwali to you and your family!

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