Festival Recipes: Make These Main Course Dishes for Diwali and Bhai Dooj and Earn Appreciation from Your Guests

Diwali and Bhai Dooj are two of the most cherished festivals in India, bringing families and friends together for grand celebrations, vibrant decorations, and of course, delicious food. While sweets and snacks often take center stage during these festivities, the main course deserves just as much attention. These traditional and contemporary main course recipes will not only delight your guests but also leave them praising your culinary skills.

1. Paneer Tikka Masala

A rich and flavorful vegetarian dish that’s perfect for any festive occasion. The soft, grilled cubes of paneer (Indian cottage cheese) are cooked in a creamy tomato-based gravy, infused with aromatic spices. The smoky flavor of the grilled paneer paired with the thick, spicy sauce makes it a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients:

• 250g Paneer
• 1 cup yogurt
• 2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tbsp red chili powder
• 1 tbsp garam masala
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 2 tbsp kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
• 2 tbsp ghee
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 tomatoes, pureed
• Fresh coriander for garnish

Method:

1. Marinate the paneer in yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, red chili powder, garam masala, turmeric, and cumin powder. Let it rest for 30 minutes.
2. Grill the marinated paneer cubes until they have a smoky flavor.
3. In a pan, heat ghee and sauté onions until golden brown. Add pureed tomatoes, spices, and kasuri methi.
4. Simmer the sauce until it thickens and then add the grilled paneer. Cook for a few minutes.
5. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve with naan or rice.

2. Mutton Biryani

A festive favorite, this fragrant rice dish cooked with tender mutton (lamb) is a must-have on both Diwali and Bhai Dooj. The layers of spiced rice and marinated mutton cooked together create a melt-in-your-mouth experience.

Ingredients:

• 500g mutton (goat or lamb)
• 2 cups basmati rice
• 2 onions, thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 cup yogurt
• 1 tbsp biryani masala
• 2 bay leaves, 4-5 cloves, 2-3 cardamom pods
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 tsp saffron (soaked in warm milk)
• 3 tbsp ghee
• Fresh mint and coriander leaves for garnish

Method:

1. Marinate mutton with yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, biryani masala, and salt. Let it sit for at least 2 hours.
2. Heat ghee in a large pan, add whole spices, and fry onions until golden.
3. Add the marinated mutton and cook until it’s tender.
4. In a separate pot, cook rice with bay leaves, cardamom, and cinnamon.
5. Layer the rice over the cooked mutton and pour saffron milk on top.
6. Cover and cook on low heat (dum) for 20-25 minutes.
7. Garnish with mint and coriander and serve hot.

3. Shahi Tukda (Royal Bread Pudding)

This dessert-like main course is the epitome of indulgence. Made with fried bread soaked in a rich, aromatic milk mixture, it is garnished with slivers of almonds and pistachios.

Ingredients:

• 4 slices white bread
• 1 cup full-fat milk
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 tbsp ghee
• 1 tsp cardamom powder
• Saffron strands
• Chopped almonds and pistachios for garnish
• Rose water (optional)

Method:

1. Cut the bread slices into halves or quarters and fry them in ghee until golden brown.
2. In a pan, heat milk, sugar, and cardamom powder. Add saffron and cook until it thickens.
3. Soak the fried bread pieces in this milk mixture for a few minutes.
4. Garnish with chopped nuts and a few drops of rose water.
5. Serve warm or chilled as a delightful end to the meal.

4. Chole Bhature

A hearty and comforting North Indian dish, Chole Bhature is a favorite among all age groups. The spicy chickpeas (chole) are served with deep-fried, fluffy bread (bhature), making it a filling and festive meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup chickpeas (soaked overnight)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tbsp coriander powder
• 1 tbsp garam masala
• 1 tsp amchur powder (dry mango powder)
• Salt to taste
• 2 cups all-purpose flour (for bhature)
• 1 tbsp semolina (for crispiness)
• Baking powder for soft texture
• Ghee or oil for frying

Method:

1. Cook chickpeas until soft. In a separate pan, sauté onions and tomatoes with ginger-garlic paste and spices.
2. Add the cooked chickpeas to this mixture and simmer for 20 minutes.
3. Prepare dough for bhature using flour, semolina, baking powder, and water. Let it rest for 30 minutes.
4. Roll out the dough into round discs and deep fry in hot oil or ghee until puffed and golden.
5. Serve hot chole with bhature, topped with fresh coriander.

5. Malai Kofta

This rich, creamy dish made of soft, cottage cheese and potato balls served in a spiced gravy is perfect for Diwali and Bhai Dooj. The koftas (dumplings) are so tender, they melt in your mouth, complementing the smooth, mildly spiced sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup paneer (cottage cheese)
• 1 boiled potato
• 1 tbsp cornflour
• 2 tbsp raisins
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tomato, pureed
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tsp garam masala
• ½ cup cream
• Fresh coriander for garnish
• Ghee for frying

Method:

1. Mash the paneer and boiled potato. Add cornflour, raisins, and a pinch of salt. Shape into small balls.
2. Fry the koftas in ghee until golden and set aside.
3. In another pan, sauté onions, ginger-garlic paste, and spices. Add pureed tomatoes and cook until oil separates.
4. Add cream and simmer until the gravy thickens. Gently add the koftas and let them soak in the sauce for 5-10 minutes.
5. Garnish with coriander and serve with naan or rice.

Conclusion

Whether you are hosting a Diwali or Bhai Dooj celebration, these main course dishes will not only fill your home with the delicious aroma of festive flavors but will also earn you compliments from your guests. From rich gravies to fragrant rice dishes and indulgent desserts, these recipes are sure to make your celebrations even more special. Happy cooking and wishing you a prosperous Diwali and Bhai Dooj!