Happy Lohri! 10 Authentic Recipes
The festival of Lohri has a lot to offer - great food, a taste of tradition, dance and dhol. Celebrated with great joy and fervor, Lohri is associated with worshipping the Hindu God of fire, Lord Agni and also the harvest of rabi crops. It's a cultural celebration linked with winter solstice - the day with the shortest day and the longest night. It is believed that the day marks the end of winters, the onset of spring, return of longer days and shorter nights. Lohri is all about getting together with family and offerings food to the holy fire. (Lohri Special: Why Food is Fed to the Fire)
Lohri is marked by a range of traditional exciting activities like lighting the ritualistic bonfire, dancing to the beats of dhol, singing popular folklore, flying kites & enjoying a scrumptious feast. It is a wonderful time for people to take a break from their chores and daily humdrum of life and rejuvenate. This bonfire festival is celebrated with great pomp; though it is typical to Punjabis, Lohri is celebrated across the country with great fervor and bears a message that is universal in every sense.
Lohri is celebrated in many other parts of the country and is akin to festivals like Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Bihu in Assam, Bhogi in Andhra Pradesh and Sankranti in Karnataka, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Many people believe that fire has the power to consume all, and in the process it pleases the Hindu God of fire who grants them even more for the next year. Foods like jaggery, gajak, popcorn, puffed rice and sesame seeds are offered as a way of paying gratitude to nature's bounty. The following day is celebrated as Makar Sankranti to mark the end of gloomy winter days & the beginning of bright sunny days ahead. (Rocky & Mayur celebrate Lohri in Patiala)
Break into Giddha or Bhangra on the beats of dhol! Let festivities call out for all things new and promising. Sing aloud the lore of Dulla Bhatti and let the holy fire burn away all resentments and negativity. When the aromatic flavors fuse with the essence of culture, you know it's time to slip into festive mood once again! To make this auspicious day more special, we bring you some of the authentic recipes by top chefs.
Recipe by Chef Roopa Gulati
Heartwarming saag coupled with makke ki roti and a bog dollop of butter atop. This simple combo is also the best loved and one of the most celebrated Punjabi delicacies.
Recipe by Chef Niru Gupta
Boiled chickpeas wrapped in masalas and cooked to perfection. Ready in a snap, this is a quick and easy treat one and all.
Recipe by Chef Niru Gupta
Jaggery attains great importance in Punjabi cooking, specially when it come s to festivitiea and celebrations. Take a bite of sweetened Indian bread infused with gur.
Recipe by Chef Niru Gupta
Festivities are never complete without those tidbits and munchies. Satisfy those in-between hunger pangs while munching on these crips ladoos.
Recipe by Foodistan
Makhana, chiraunji with generous doses of fruits and milk make up for a sensational dessert. End your day on a sweet note with this classic.
Recipe by Niru Gupta
Just a handful of ingredients can promise a world of crunchy, sugary delight. Sesame seeds, ghee, khoya and sugar are all that you need to create some delightful magic.
Recipe by Chef Roopa Gulati
Chikki is almost synonymous with the desi comfort food throughout north India. There's nothing quite like spending the chilly evenings with a cup of tea and bits of nutty chikki by your side. Made in jiffy, this is an essential winter snack for one and all.
Recipe by Chef Marut Sikka
Thirty minutes, a handful of ingredients doused in unconditional love and generous doses of ghee, semolina and jaggery - Marut Sikka's Gur ka halwa is a must try.
Recipe by Chef Niru Gupta
Hassle-free chikkis coated with sesame seeds, loaded with crunchiness, full of delight.
Recipe by Foodistan
Corn and spinach combined together with a blend of masalas to make tikkis that are fried to perfection.
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