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

Diwali and Bhai Dooj are two of the most vibrant and celebrated festivals in India. The festive atmosphere is filled with lights, sweets, and family gatherings. While Diwali is a time for celebrating the triumph of light over darkness, and Bhai Dooj honors the special bond between brothers and sisters, both festivals also bring an array of mouthwatering foods to the table. If you’re looking to impress your guests with delicious main courses, here are some recipes that will surely earn you compliments!

1. Paneer Butter Masala

A classic dish that never fails to impress, Paneer Butter Masala is rich, creamy, and full of flavors. It is a perfect dish to serve during Diwali or Bhai Dooj, especially for vegetarian guests.

Ingredients:

• 250g paneer (cubed)
• 2 medium tomatoes (pureed)
• 1 onion (finely chopped)
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1/4 cup cream
• 1/2 tsp garam masala
• 1/2 tsp red chili powder
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander leaves (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Heat butter and oil in a pan. Add the chopped onions and sauté until golden brown.
2. Add the ginger-garlic paste and cook for a minute.
3. Add the pureed tomatoes, red chili powder, turmeric powder, and garam masala. Cook until the oil separates from the masala.
4. Add water to achieve the desired consistency, then add the paneer cubes.
5. Stir gently and cook for 5-7 minutes.
6. Add cream and simmer for 2 minutes. Adjust seasoning with salt.
7. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve with naan or rice.

2. Hyderabadi Biryani

No festive meal is complete without Biryani, and Hyderabadi Biryani is the epitome of rich flavors. The combination of tender meat (or vegetables), aromatic basmati rice, and spices creates a dish that will leave your guests asking for seconds.

Ingredients:

• 1 kg chicken or mutton (cut into pieces)
• 2 cups basmati rice
• 2 onions (thinly sliced)
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 2 tomatoes (chopped)
• 2 tbsp yogurt
• 2 tbsp ghee
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• 1 tsp garam masala powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 4-5 green cardamom pods
• 2-3 cinnamon sticks
• 4-5 cloves
• Fresh coriander and mint leaves (chopped)
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Marinate the chicken or mutton in yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt for at least 30 minutes.
2. Heat ghee in a large pot and fry the sliced onions until golden brown. Remove half for garnishing.
3. In the same pot, add the marinated meat and cook until it’s tender.
4. Add chopped tomatoes and cook until they soften. Add garam masala and mix well.
5. In a separate pot, cook the basmati rice with a pinch of salt, cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves. Drain the rice once cooked.
6. Layer the cooked rice over the meat in the pot, sprinkle chopped mint and coriander leaves, and cook on low heat for 15-20 minutes.
7. Garnish with fried onions and serve with raita or salad.

3. Kadhi Pakora

A popular dish in North India, Kadhi Pakora is a tangy, spicy yogurt-based curry served with deep-fried gram flour fritters. It’s a great main course option for both Diwali and Bhai Dooj.

Ingredients for Pakora:

• 1 cup gram flour (besan)
• 1 onion (finely chopped)
• 1-2 green chilies (chopped)
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• Salt to taste
• Water (for batter)
• Oil (for frying)

Ingredients for Kadhi:

• 1 cup yogurt
• 2 tbsp gram flour (besan)
• 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 2 dry red chilies
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1/4 tsp asafoetida (hing)
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Mix gram flour, chopped onions, green chilies, turmeric powder, and salt. Add water gradually to form a thick batter.
2. Heat oil in a pan and drop spoonfuls of the batter into the hot oil. Fry the pakoras until golden and crisp. Remove and set aside.
3. For the kadhi, whisk the yogurt and gram flour together in a bowl, adding water to make a smooth batter.
4. Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, dry red chilies, and ginger-garlic paste. Sauté for a minute.
5. Add the yogurt mixture, turmeric powder, and salt. Cook on low flame, stirring continuously until the kadhi thickens.
6. Once the kadhi is thick, gently drop the pakoras into the curry and simmer for 5-7 minutes.
7. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve with steamed rice.

4. Stuffed Aloo (Potato) Tikka

A crispy and flavorful dish, Stuffed Aloo Tikka is a crowd-pleaser. The stuffing of spiced paneer or minced vegetables inside soft potatoes makes for a filling and tasty main course.

Ingredients:

• 4 large potatoes (boiled and peeled)
• 1/2 cup paneer (grated)
• 1/4 cup chopped coriander leaves
• 1 green chili (chopped)
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp garam masala
• Salt to taste
• Oil for frying

Instructions:

1. Mash the boiled potatoes and set aside.
2. In a bowl, mix the grated paneer, chopped coriander, green chili, cumin powder, coriander powder, garam masala, and salt.
3. Take a small portion of mashed potato and flatten it out. Place a spoonful of the paneer mixture in the center and shape it into a ball or patty.
4. Heat oil in a pan and fry the stuffed aloo tikka until golden and crisp on both sides.
5. Serve hot with mint chutney or yogurt dip.

5. Vegetable Kofta Curry

Vegetable Kofta Curry is another delicious vegetarian option that’s packed with flavors. The soft, deep-fried vegetable balls are simmered in a rich and creamy curry sauce.

Ingredients for Kofta:

• 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrot, beans, peas, and potato)
• 1/4 cup paneer (grated)
• 1/2 tsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1/2 tsp cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp garam masala
• 1 tbsp cornflour
• Salt to taste
• Oil for frying

Ingredients for Curry:

• 2 onions (chopped)
• 2 tomatoes (pureed)
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• 1/2 tsp garam masala
• 1/4 cup cream
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

Instructions:

1. Boil the mixed vegetables and mash them. Add grated paneer, ginger-garlic paste, cumin powder, garam masala, cornflour, and salt. Shape into small balls and fry until golden brown.
2. For the curry, sauté chopped onions in oil until golden. Add ginger-garlic paste and cook for a minute.
3. Add pureed tomatoes, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and garam masala. Cook until the oil separates from the masala.
4. Add water to adjust the consistency of the curry, then add the fried koftas. Simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Add cream and simmer for another 2 minutes. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve with naan or rice.

These main course dishes are perfect for Diwali and Bhai Dooj celebrations, offering a combination of rich flavors, comforting textures, and festive appeal. Whether you’re preparing for a large gathering or a family meal, these recipes will ensure your guests enjoy a delightful and memorable feast!