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Holi, the festival of colours and Punjab, the land filled with spicy and savoury foods, make a deadly combination. While there are many cultures and traditions followed around the country that have a rich heritage, Punjab’s food always stands out. So, if you’re looking for something new to celebrate Holi, read on.
From mouth-watering Punjabi snacks like pakoras and lip-smacking coolers like lassi, you can have a platter filled with delicious delicacies. So, while you’re trying to celebrate the festival with your friends and family, you can make these snacks at home and leverage the time to make new memories with your loved ones.
Bhang Thandai
Thandai is a classic summer beverage that is given a lot of importance in Punjabi festivals. And to make give it a Holi twist, you can add the special ingredient, bhaang. To make bhang thandai, you need to make a traditional glass of thandai with milk and sugar syrup and then infuse it with a little bhang. Then, add some spices like cardamom, saffron, and fennel seeds. You can also add some chopped dry fruits and nuts to make it more indulgent.
Dahi Bhalla
Dahi bhalla is a traditional Punjabi snack that is enjoyed in almost all Punjabi households on the occasion of Holi. Being a summer treat, before making a plate of dahi bhalla, ensure that you have chilled and sweetened dahi. Next, you can make bhalla by deep frying a lentil-based fritter and adding it to the chilled dahi. You can then add red and green chutneys along with your go-to spices and garnish with sev and pomegranate seeds to mark the occasion.
Bhang Pakora
Pakore are one of the fondest snacks in Punjab. But for Holi, apart from the usual potato and onion pakore, bhang pakore takes the limelight. You can make bhang pakore by making a batter with besan (chickpea flour) and some spices like red chilli powder, pepper, salt, etc. Then, take some bhang leaves, coat them with batter, and deep fry small portions. You can then enjoy the crispy fritter, but ensure to eat them in moderation.
Gujiya
Gujiya is an Indian sweet that is literally synonymous with Holi. Even though it is not a Punjab-based treat, Gujiya is enjoyed on the festival of colours all across the state and even the country. You can make this sweet by rolling out a dough made with maida, ghee, and water. After making small circles, you can place a rich filling of khoya and nuts in the centre and fold the edges. Next, deep fry the gujiya dip them in sugar syrup and let them set for a while. After the sugar coating is set, you can relish these savoury treats.
Lassi
Lassi is a traditional Punjabi beverage that is thoroughly enjoyed while playing Holi in the blazing heat of the summer. To make a rich glass of lassi, you’ll need to take some curd, some water, ice cubes and sugar or salt as per your preference. Blend all the ingredients together in an electric mixer or with a hand blender, and your thick lassi will be ready. To add some flavour to it, you can add mangoes, rose water, and even dry fruits as per your taste.
Malpua
Malpua is another Holi-staple dessert that is enjoyed by Punjabis and even in other parts of the country. The mouth-melting malpua can be made with a maida-based batter and sugar syrup. So, you can knead a dough with maida, milk, powdered sugar, cardamom powder, and other spices. You can fry small portions and transfer them to a sugar syrup or rabri. Garnish with some chopped nuts like almonds and pistachio, and your Holi dessert will be ready.
