Saunf wala Sooji ka Halwa | Semolina pudding with Fennel Seeds

Sooji Halwa is a classic Indian sweet! There are many versions of this sweet treat. Traditionally, Sooji Halwa is flavored with a large pinch of cardamom. Some folks like to cook it in milk, or a combination of milk and water. When saffron is added to it, its gets a light yellow color and is called Rava Kesari.

Meethi Mathri | Sweet Mathri Recipe

The day after I made my second batch of Mathris, I decided I must make some Meethi Mathris (Sweet Mathris) too this year! Deep fried dough soaked in fragrant sugar syrup. Whats not to like? These Mathris turned out to be perfectly crunchy, sweet, and delicious. We enjoyed them with steaming hot cups of tea!!

Mathri | Classic Mathri Recipe | Crispy Deep Fried Dough

Nothing says celebration in the North of India like Mathris. A staple of weddings, get-togethers, and festivals alike Mathris are a treat! In India, making Mathri was a bi-annual affair. Come Diwali or Holi, mounds of salty dough made with maida and ghee would be shaped into discs and deep fried to a crisp. For the kids, it meant enjoying hot crispy Mathris straight out of the fryer and then the cooled down flaky ones which would be stored in air sealed glass containers for days to come.

Seven Cup Cake | Seven Cup Barfi

Seven Cup Cake or Seven Cup Barfi is nothing more than a variation to the regular Basan Barfi. It is a deliciously rich melt in the mouth sweet that is perfect for any festive occasion. Seven Cup Cake was my choice of sweet last Diwali. I was craving Besan Barfi and Mysore Pak, but eventually settled upon this barfi. Apart from being incredibly easy to make, this sweet will keep very well if refrigerated for several weeks.

Namkeen Kulkul | Karam Ghavalu | Spicy Crisp Shells

Namkeen Kulkul or Karam Ghavalu is a delicious snack that comes from Western India. My first introduction to Kulkul was in its sweet form. The spicy one I came to know of many years later. I love both forms of Kulkul and this Diwali I made the spicy one for family and friends. I love to add sesame seeds in Namkeens and I chose to add a good handful in this version of Kulkul. The result was really good - the Kulkul was crunchy with the seeds adding some extra flavor and texture to this snack.

Badam aur Nariyal ki Barfi | Almond and Coconut Fudge

I made Almond and Coconut Fudge | Badam aur Nariyal ki Barfi for Ganesh Chaturthi this year . This is a very simple and quick recipe to prepare. Needless to say it tastes really yummy too. This barfi tastes best when you let it sit overnight. Though it might be difficult to do that once you have tasted it!!

Puran Poli | Flatbread with Cardamom Infused Sweet Lentil Filling

The first time I heard of Puran Poli was as a kid visiting a friend's home in Bombay! It was coming up to Holi and we had just popped in after an afternoon of skating. The home was replete with the aroma of ghee and cardamom and there was much bustle in the kitchen. On the dining table were large plates piled high with what looked liked parathas. But these parathas were sweetly fragrant, incredibly soft, and oozing with butter fat!!

Zeera aur Ajwain ki Mathri | Baked Mathri Recipe

With Holi just round the corner, I have been mulling over what treats to make! Holi in these parts is celebrated with a puja and sharing sweets. Holi colours are rarely available and some states like the one we live in have banned them for environmental and toxicity reasons. In the first few years we were here, I found that no Desi grocer carried these colours. However, in the last couple of years, some companies have started selling organic, environmentally friendly and non-toxic versions of the Holi colours. They may not have the brightness of the colours we grew up with but they serve the purpose!! Water colours and a wet Holi are out of the question with snow still on the ground and temperatures barely out of freezing.

Nimboo Wali Arhar Dal | Lemony Toor Dal

Toor Dal easily qualifies to be the creamiest of dals in Indian cooking. Its also very flavourful and highly versatile. Its delicious on its own but also make for a great base for amti, sambar, khichri, and bisi bele bhaat! I am particularly fond of cooking this dal with ginger and garlic, tempering it with hing, and then adding a big squeeze of lemon into it. Delicious and heavenly!!