The aroma of incense, the sound of bhajans, and the joyous chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya” fill the air as India gears up for Ganesh Chaturthi. This auspicious occasion is incomplete without an array of mouth-watering sweets. This festive season, celebrate the Lord of Beginnings with a culinary treat.
Shivam Bhagat, Director, Bhagat Halwai shares five delightful desserts to make your Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations even sweeter.
Petha Kheer
Petha Kheer is a delightful twist on the traditional rice kheer. It incorporates the sweetness of candied ash gourd, also known as Petha, into a creamy, milk-based dessert.
Ingredients:
- 200 grams Petha (candied ash gourd or winter melon)
- 1 liter Milk
- 1/2 cup Sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 cup Chopped nuts (almonds, cashews, pistachios)
- 1/4 teaspoon Cardamom powder
- A pinch of Saffron strands (optional)
- 2 tablespoons Ghee (clarified butter)
- 2 tablespoons Raisins (optional)
Method
Begin by grating the Petha finely or chopping it into small pieces. Heat ghee in a pan and sauté the Petha until it turns slightly golden and aromatic. Add milk and let it simmer until the Petha softens and the milk reduces. Add sugar, nuts, cardamom powder, and saffron strands. Once thickened, garnish it with more nuts and raisins. Chill and serve cold.
Chocolate Modak
Modaks are Lord Ganesha’s favourite, and a Ganesh Chaturthi celebration is incomplete without them. Chocolate Modak is a delightful fusion of traditional and contemporary flavours.
Ingredients:
For the outer covering (Modak Dough):
- 1 cup Rice flour
- 1/4 cups Water
- A pinch of Salt
- 1 teaspoon Ghee (clarified butter)
For the chocolate filling:
- 1/2 cup Chocolate chips or finely chopped chocolate
- 1/4 cup Condensed milk
- 2 tablespoons Milk
- A pinch of Salt
Method
For the outer covering, heat the mixture of water, salt, and ghee in a saucepan. Add rice flour, stir vigorously, and knead into a smooth dough. For the chocolate filling, melt chocolate and mix with condensed milk and salt. Shape the dough into small cups, fill with chocolate mixture, and seal into modak shapes. Cool and enjoy!
Shrikhand
Shrikhand, a beloved dessert among Maharashtrians and Gujaratis, is a delightful way to offer prasad to Lord Ganesha.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups Hung Curd (strained yogurt)
- 1/2 cup Powdered Sugar
- A pinch of Saffron Strands (soaked in 1 tbsp warm milk)
- 1/4 tsp Cardamom Powder
- Chopped Nuts and Pistachios for garnish
Instructions:
Mix hung curd and powdered sugar. Add saffron milk and cardamom powder. Refrigerate, garnish with nuts, and serve as prasad for Ganpati.
Malai Peda
Malai Peda is a creamy, milk-based sweet that melts in your mouth.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Milk Powder
- 1/2 cup Condensed Milk
- 1/4 cup Rufil Milk
- 2 tablespoons Ghee (clarified butter)
- A pinch of Cardamom Powder
- Saffron strands (for garnish)
- Chopped Pistachios or Almonds (for garnish)
Method
Roast milk powder in ghee, add condensed milk, rufil milk, and cook until thick. Add cardamom, shape into pedas, and garnish with saffron strands and nuts.
Motichoor Ladoo
No Indian festival is complete without the mouth-watering Motichoor Ladoo, a popular Indian sweet characterized by spherical besan (gram flour) balls fried to golden perfection.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Besan (gram flour)
- 1 cup Sugar
- A pinch of Orange Food Color (optional)
- Rufil Ghee for deep frying
- Chopped Nuts for garnish
Method
Fry besan boondis, make sugar syrup, and mix boondis in it. Shape into ladoos, garnish with nuts, and offer to Lord Ganesha.
Furthermore, these delightful desserts not only appease your sweet tooth but also add a special touch to your Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. So, collect your ingredients and get creative inside the kitchen by making this festival even more memorable with these easy-to-make sweets.
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