Quick Diwali Dinner Recipes: Get Out of the Kitchen Fast

Diwali is a time for celebration, family, and feasting, but it doesn’t have to mean spending hours in the kitchen. If you’re looking to whip up a quick and delicious dinner that’ll still impress your guests, here are some easy-to-make recipes that will allow you to enjoy the festivities and get back to the celebrations in no time.

1. Paneer Tikka

A classic favorite, paneer tikka is a vegetarian appetizer that can easily double as a main course. It’s quick, flavorful, and requires minimal preparation.

Ingredients:

• 250g paneer (cubed)
• 1/4 cup yogurt
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tbsp red chili powder
• 1 tbsp garam masala
• Salt to taste
• Lemon juice
• Fresh coriander (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, red chili powder, garam masala, salt, and lemon juice.
2. Add the paneer cubes and marinate for 15-20 minutes.
3. Grill or pan-fry the marinated paneer until golden brown.
4. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve with green chutney.

2. Vegetable Pulao

A fragrant rice dish, vegetable pulao is both hearty and easy to prepare. It can be served as a side or as a main course with raita or curry.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup basmati rice
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrot, beans, peas, etc.)
• 1 onion (sliced)
• 2 cloves
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• Salt to taste
• 2 cups water

Instructions:

1. Rinse the rice and soak it for 10 minutes.
2. In a pot, heat oil and sauté the sliced onion until golden.
3. Add the cumin seeds, cloves, bay leaf, and cinnamon stick. Let it sizzle.
4. Add the mixed vegetables and sauté for a couple of minutes.
5. Add the soaked rice, water, and salt. Cook on low heat for 15-20 minutes, until the rice is tender.
6. Fluff the rice and serve hot with raita or curry.

3. Aloo Tikki Chaat

Perfect for a quick snack or as a part of the main meal, Aloo Tikki Chaat is a mouthwatering combination of spiced potato patties topped with chutneys and yogurt.

Ingredients:

• 4 boiled potatoes (mashed)
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• Salt to taste
• Oil for frying
• Tamarind chutney
• Mint chutney
• Yogurt (whisked)

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, combine mashed potatoes, breadcrumbs, cumin powder, red chili powder, and salt.
2. Shape the mixture into small tikkis (patties).
3. Heat oil in a pan and fry the tikkis until golden and crisp.
4. Place the tikkis on a plate, drizzle with tamarind and mint chutney, and top with whisked yogurt.
5. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve immediately.

4. Quick Baingan Bharta

Baingan Bharta is a smoky, flavorful eggplant dish that’s perfect with naan or rice. With just a few ingredients, you can create a comforting dish in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium-sized eggplants
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 1 tomato (chopped)
• 2 green chilies (chopped)
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp garam masala
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Roast the eggplants directly on the flame or in the oven until the skin is charred and the flesh is soft.
2. Let the eggplants cool, then peel off the skin and mash the flesh.
3. In a pan, heat oil, add cumin seeds, and sauté the onions and green chilies until golden.
4. Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until soft. Add garam masala and salt.
5. Stir in the mashed eggplant and cook for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve with roti or rice.

5. Chana Masala

This hearty, flavorful chickpea curry is a staple in Indian cuisine. It’s easy to prepare and full of protein, making it a perfect dish for Diwali dinner.

Ingredients:

• 1 can chickpeas (or 1 cup soaked chickpeas)
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 1 tomato (chopped)
• 2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp garam masala
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a pan, add cumin seeds and sauté onions until golden brown.
2. Add ginger-garlic paste and cook for a minute.
3. Add chopped tomatoes, coriander powder, garam masala, and salt. Cook until the tomatoes are soft.
4. Add the chickpeas, along with some water to adjust the consistency. Let it simmer for 10-15 minutes.
5. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve with rice or naan.

6. Mango Lassi

No Indian meal is complete without a refreshing drink. Mango Lassi is a sweet, creamy yogurt-based drink that’s perfect for cooling off after a spicy meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup mango pulp (fresh or canned)
• 1/2 cup yogurt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 tbsp sugar (adjust to taste)
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. In a blender, combine mango pulp, yogurt, milk, and sugar.
2. Blend until smooth and creamy. Add ice cubes and blend again.
3. Serve chilled in glasses and garnish with a pinch of cardamom powder.

These quick and easy Diwali dinner recipes will help you enjoy the festivities without spending too much time in the kitchen. From starters to drinks, these dishes are sure to delight your family and guests, leaving you plenty of time to enjoy the celebrations!