Share
The monsoon brings with it an array of festivals celebrated throughout India. For followers of Shiva and Parvati, the Hindu calendar month of Sawan holds great significance. Many single Hindu women, hoping to find a suitable life partner, follow the 'Sawan Somvar' vrat. And then there's Teej, a celebration of wedded happiness marked by ritual fasting by married women. But there's more to this age-old celebration than that! The Indian states of Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh all take part in the joyous celebration of Teej. This colourful celebration, to be celebrated on August 19 this year, is sure to brighten our days with its customary splendour. What better way to get into the spirit of the approaching festival than to indulge in some handmade milk sweets? These sweets, from the velvety texture of rasgullas to the rich flavour of kalakand, not only capture the spirit of Teej, but also provide a wonderful opportunity to share in the celebration with friends and family.
In addition to the irresistible ghewar, the Teej festival provides a superb opportunity to indulge in an assortment of handcrafted milk sweets that perfectly capture the spirit of tradition and celebration. To celebrate Teej in a manner that is sweet, here are six delicious options:
Malpua
Malpua is a traditional delicacy commonly enjoyed during the Teej festival. This delectable treat is prepared by deep-frying a batter consisting of khoya (reduced milk), flour, and a blend of aromatic spices. These golden discs are immersed in a sugar syrup and frequently adorned with nuts, offering a delightful and indulgent sensory experience.
Rasgulla
Fresh paneer, often known as cottage cheese, is used to make these deliciously pillowy balls, which are then doused in a sugar syrup that has cardamom ground up and added for flavour. Rasgullas are a time-honored dessert that are cherished for their silky, melt-in-your-mouth consistency as well as its naturally sweet flavour.
Kalakand
This decadent and velvety dessert is crafted by simmering milk and paneer until they coalesce into a dense and luscious texture. Kalakand is a traditional Indian sweet delicacy that is highly regarded for its delightful flavour, enriched with saffron strands and a generous amount of nuts.
Kheer
Kheer, a cherished and enduring homemade milk-based dessert, holds a significant significance among people during the Teej festival. In addition to the renowned ghewar, the kheer dessert assumes a prominent position as a delectable culinary delight that enhances the overall sweetness of the festivities. This exquisite culinary creation is prepared by gently cooking rice, vermicelli, or other grains in milk until they fully absorb its opulent flavours and attain a tender consistency. The kheer, infused with the delightful aromas of cardamom and saffron, provides a comforting and deeply gratifying experience.
Rabdi
Rabdi, a delectable homemade milk-based dessert, enhances the festivities of Teej beyond the traditional ghewar. This luscious dessert is meticulously prepared by gently heating milk until it undergoes a thickening process, resulting in a decadent and creamy creation. The rabdi dessert is delicately infused with aromatic cardamom and elegantly garnished with finely sliced nuts, capturing the true essence of traditional celebrations. The smooth texture and pleasing flavour of this product make it an ideal selection to enjoy during the Teej festival, enhancing the overall sweetness and happiness of the celebration.
Rasmalai
Rasmalai, a traditional handcrafted milk sweet, is a delicious and beautiful addition to the Teej celebrations. Saffron milk and crumbled pistachios perfume these tender chenna dumplings. A taste of these soft dumplings drenched in the decadent syrup is a veritable explosion of flavour. Rasmalai captures the spirit of the celebration by adding an extra layer of decadence to the celebration of Teej. This sweet perfectly captures the joy and custom that come with the festive season.
