Diwali 2023: Celebrate Diwali With These Flavourful Lunch Recipes

Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over India. It is a time of exchanging gifts, dressing up in traditional clothes, and of course, relishing delicious dishes. So if you are hosting a lunch party for your near and dear ones then here are some easy Diwali lunch recipes that you can make at home:

1. Vegetable Pulao

This is a simple yet flavorful rice dish that is a perfect accompaniment to any curry.

Ingredients For Vegetable Pulao:

2 cups basmati rice (rinsed and soaked for 20 to 30 minutes)

1 chopped onion

1 chopped carrot

1 diced potato

1 cup mixed vegetables (peas, beans, cauliflower)

2 minced cloves garlic

1-inch grated piece ginger

1 tsp red chilli powder

2-3 slit green chillies

2 bay leaves

3 tbsp oil

2 cardamom pods

1 tbsp coriander leaves

Salt to taste

How To Make Vegetable Pulao:

1. Rinse the rice thoroughly and soak it in water for 30 minutes.

2. Heat oil in a pressure cooker on medium heat.

3. Add the bay leaves and cardamom pods and fry for a few seconds.

4. Add the onions and fry until they turn translucent.

5. Add the minced garlic, ginger, and green chillies and fry for 2-3 minutes.

6. Add the chopped vegetables, red chilli powder, salt and let it fry for 2-3 minutes until they are slightly cooked.

7. Drain the water from the soaked rice and add it to the pressure cooker. Fry for 2-3 minutes until the rice is well coated with the vegetables.

8. Add 2 cups of water and mix well.

9. Close the pressure cooker and cook on high flame for 2 whistles.

10. Let the pressure cooker cool down before opening it.

11. Fluff the rice with a fork and serve hot with a garnish of coriander leaves and a bowl of raita.

2. Chana Masala

This is a popular North Indian dish made from chickpeas in a spicy tomato-based gravy.

Ingredients For Chana Masala:

2 cups cooked chickpeas

1 chopped large onion

2 minced garlic cloves

1-inch grated piece of ginger

2 chopped medium-sized tomatoes

2-3 tbsp oil

1 tsp cumin seeds

1 tsp turmeric powder

1 tsp coriander powder

1 tsp garam masala

1/2 tsp red chilli powder

Salt to taste

1 tbsp fresh coriander leaves

How To Make Chana Masala:

1. First heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and let them sizzle for a few seconds.

2. Add the finely chopped onions to the pan and saute until they turn golden brown. Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for another minute until fragrant.

3. Add the turmeric powder, coriander powder, garam masala, and red chilli powder to the pan, stirring well to coat the onions, garlic, and ginger with the spices.

4. Add the finely chopped tomatoes to the pan and cook until they soften and release their juices. This will create a thick, saucy base for the Chana Masala. If the mixture looks dry, you can add a little water.

5. Once the tomatoes are cooked down and the spices are well blended, add the cooked chickpeas to the pan and mix them gently with the tomato sauce.

6. Reduce the heat to low and let the Chana Masala simmer for about 10-15 minutes, allowing the chickpeas to absorb the flavours and become tender. Add salt to taste.

8. Once the Chana Masala is cooked to your desired consistency, remove it from the heat and garnish with fresh coriander leaves.

9. Your Chana Masala is ready. Serve it hot with rice, naan, or roti.

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3. Palak Paneer

A delicious blend of paneer and spinach creates a healthy and flavorful dish, perfect for lunch.

Ingredients for Palak Paneer:

2 cups chopped spinach

1 cup chopped onion

2-3 garlic cloves

1-inch ginger

2-3 green chillies

1 tsp cumin seeds

1 tsp coriander powder

1 tsp garam masala

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

1/2 cup tomato puree

1/2 cup cream

100g diced paneer

Salt to taste

2-3 tbsp oil

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How To Make Palak Paneer:

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let it splutter.

2. Now add chopped onion to the pan and saute until they turn golden brown.

3. Add chopped garlic, ginger, and green chillies to the pan and sauté for 1-2 minutes. Then add chopped spinach to the pan and saute for 2-3 minutes until they are wilted.

4. Add coriander powder, garam masala, turmeric powder, and salt to the pan and mix well.

5. Add tomato puree to the pan and mix well. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Then add the cream to the pan and mix well. Cook for 1-2 minutes.

6. Add paneer cubes to the pan and mix gently. Cook for 2-3 minutes.

7. Once it's done, serve the Palak Paneer hot with warm rice or roti.

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Image credit: freepik