Is there anything more enticing than a platter of delicious Indian sweets during Deepavali? OK, that was a trick question: practically every dish during the Festival of Lights will make your mouth water!
Nevertheless, for the sweet-tooths among you, here’s part two of our list of classic treats to be enjoyed during the festive season. Make sure you check out part one here.
1. Barfi
Some call it barfi, while others call it barfee. It doesn’t matter, though – what’s important is how fudgy this treat can be.
There are quite a few varieties of barfi out there, including kaaju barfi (cashews), besan barfi (gram flour), pista barfi (ground pistachios), sing barfi (peanuts), khoya barfi (buffalo milk), fruit barfi (dried fruits), and coconut barfi (desiccated coconut).
The list can go on and on, because this dessert can easily be enhanced with your favourite fruits, nuts and/or spices.
Making a soft yet rich barfi is surprisingly easy: all you need is condensed milk, cream and sugar. Cooking it on low heat while consistently stirring the mixture while it cools prevents the milk from sticking to the bottom and changing the colour.
2. Kulfi
Kulfi is essentially an Indian version of ice cream, with exotic flavours such as rose and pistachio. But unlike the western version that is usually made from a custard and/or heavy cream base, kulfi is traditionally made from milk simmered for hours.
Traditional recipes for this cold, creamy treat use rabdi, a thickened sweetened milk with layers of cream. It is continuously simmered and reduced on a low heat until it reaches the desired consistency, which also imparts the distinctive taste of caramel.
The preparation is easy enough, though the waiting time is terrible because you’d simply want to eat it already!
3. Halwa
Care for some fragrant sweet pudding? This is where halwa comes in! Enjoy it with cereals or fruit, or top it off with crushed almonds or pistachios for some extra texture.
You could write an essay on the many types of halwa out there, but the most popular is sooji halwa – semolina pudding made with sugar, ghee and milk.
Add some cardamoms, cashews or raisins if you like – whatever the case, be sure to make plenty of it because everyone around you will be hankering for a taste!
4. Gajrela
This particular dessert is a favourite in northern India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. You might love it even more after knowing it is a lightly nutritious treat with less fat compared to the other items on this list (and yesterday’s).
There is also a sugar-free version of it for the diabetics or sugar-conscious folks out there.
The ingredients explain the vibrant colour and flavour: freshly grated carrots, thickened milk, full cream or condensed milk, and sugar. But these days, don’t be surprised if you come across red velvet, beetroot or cheesy carrot gajrela!
The dish won’t be complete without a spoonful of chopped almonds and pistachios as a garnish.
5. Bal mithai
Are you a chocolate fanatic? If you are, this is the dessert for you.
Bal mithai is an Indian chocolate fudge coated in white sugar balls. But here’s the catch: there isn’t any actual chocolate in it! Its colour is actually attributed to thickened milk cooked until it turns brown, resembling dulce le leche.
Bal mithai is one of the most popular sweets in the town of Almora in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, and is regularly used as an offering to the gods. Happy Deepavali!
This article first appeared in butterkicap.com, a food and culture platform and community that enables anyone to experience Malaysia through stories of its people, food and places.