Raksha Bandhan, the Indian festival celebrating the bond between siblings, is marked by colourful rakhis, heartfelt exchanges, and, of course, delectable dishes. Every festive occasion in India is incomplete without an array of mouth-watering delicacies, and Raksha Bandhan is no exception. Here's a list of the top five dishes that will add flavour to your celebrations and delight the taste buds of your loved ones.

Gulab Jamun: A Classic Sweet Delight

Ingredients: Milk powder, ghee, baking soda, lemon juice, sugar, cardamom, and rose water.

Method:

• Create a soft dough using milk powder, a bit of baking soda, ghee, and water.
• Roll them into small balls and deep fry till golden brown.
• Prepare sugar syrup flavoured with cardamom and a hint of rose water.
• Soak the fried balls in the syrup until they absorb the sweetness. Serve warm or cold.

Rajma Chawal: Comfort Food at Its Best

Ingredients: Red kidney beans, rice, tomatoes, onions, ginger-garlic paste, cumin seeds, and a medley of spices.

Method:

• Soak the kidney beans overnight and then pressure cooks until soft.
• Prepare a spicy gravy using onions, tomatoes, ginger-garlic paste, and spices.
• Mix the cooked beans in the gravy and simmer.
• Serve this hearty bean preparation with hot steamed rice.

Jalebi: The Spiraled Sweetness

Ingredients: All-purpose flour, yoghurt, saffron, sugar, lemon juice, and baking soda.

Method:

• Prepare a smooth batter using flour, yoghurt, saffron, and water. Let it ferment.
• Pipe spiral shapes of this batter into hot oil and fry until crisp.
• Dip these spirals in sugar syrup flavoured with lemon juice. Serve hot.

Aloo Tikki Chaat: A Tangy Treat

Ingredients: Potatoes, bread crumbs, green chillies, cumin powder, chaat masala, tamarind chutney, yoghurt, and sev.

Method:

• Mash boiled potatoes and mix with spices and breadcrumbs to form a dough.
• Shape them into flat rounds and shallow fry until golden.
• Serve topped with whisked yoghurt, tangy tamarind chutney, and crispy sev.

Kheer: Creamy Rice Pudding

Ingredients: Rice, milk, sugar, cardamom, saffron, and assorted nuts.

Method:

• Cook rice until it's slightly mushy.
• Add milk, sugar, and simmer until the mixture thickens.
• Flavour with cardamom, and saffron, and garnish with slivers of almonds and pistachios.

Conclusion

Raksha Bandhan is a day of cherishing the bond that siblings share, reminiscing about childhood memories, and making new ones. And what better way to create lasting memories than by bonding over delicious food? These dishes, ranging from classic sweets to savoury delights, are sure to make your Raksha Bandhan celebrations even more special. Whether you're a brother or a sister, cooking for your sibling on this day is a gesture that speaks volumes of love. So, don your chef’s hat, dive into these recipes, and let the festivities begin!