Ganesh Chaturthi 2023: This year, Ganeshotsav starts on September 19 and ends on September 28. (Image: Shutterstock)
Ganesh Chaturthi 2023: Celebrate the Lord of Beginnings with a culinary treat this festive season
The smell of incense, the sound of bhajans and the joyful chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya” fill the air as India prepares for Ganesh Chaturthi. This auspicious occasion is incomplete without an array of delectable sweets. Celebrate the Lord of Beginnings this holiday season with a culinary treat.
Riddhi Bhagat, Founder & Concept Leader, BOB shares five delicious desserts to make your Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations even sweeter.
Petha Kheer
Petha Kheer is a delicious variation on the traditional rice kheer. It contains the sweetness of candied ash gourd, also known as Petha, in 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 threads (optional)
- 2 tablespoons Ghee (clarified butter)
- 2 tablespoons raisins (optional)
Method
Start by finely grating the Petha or cutting it into small pieces. Heat the ghee in a pan and fry the Petha until it turns light golden brown and aromatic. Add milk and let it cook until the Petha becomes soft and the milk reduces. Add sugar, nuts, cardamom powder and saffron strands. Once thickened, garnish it with more nuts and raisins. Let cool and serve cold.
Chocolate Modak
Modaks are Lord Ganesha’s favorite, and a Ganesh Chaturthi celebration is incomplete without them. Chocolate Modak is a delicious blend of traditional and contemporary flavors.
Ingredients:
For the outer layer (Modak dough):
- 1 cup Rice flour
- 1/4 cups of 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 layer, heat the mixture of water, salt and ghee in a pan. Add rice flour, stir vigorously and knead into a smooth dough. For the chocolate filling, melt the chocolate and mix with condensed milk and salt. Form the dough into small cups, fill with chocolate mixture and press into modak molds. Cool and enjoy!
Shrikhand
Shrikhand, a favorite dessert among Maharashtrians and Gujaratis, is a delicious way to offer prasad to Lord Ganesha.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups Hung Curd (strained yogurt)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- A pinch of saffron threads (soaked in 1 tbsp warm milk)
- 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
- Chopped nuts and pistachios for garnish
Instructions:
Mix the hung curd and icing sugar. Add saffron milk and cardamom powder. Place in the refrigerator, 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 and rufil milk and cook until thick. Add cardamom, shape into pedas and garnish with saffron threads and nuts.
Motichoor Ladoo
No Indian festival is complete without the delectable Motichoor Ladoo, a popular Indian sweet characterized by spherical besan balls (gram flour) baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Besan (gram flour)
- 1 cup sugar
- A pinch of orange food coloring (optional)
- Rufil Ghee for frying
- Chopped nuts for garnish
Method
Fry the besan boondis, make sugar syrup and mix the boondis in it. Form it into ladoos, garnish with nuts and offer to Lord Ganesha.
Moreover, these delicious desserts not only appease your sweet tooth but also add a special touch to your Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. So gather your ingredients and get creative in the kitchen by making this festival even more memorable with these easy-to-make sweets.