Top 7 Special food ideas to celebrate Raksha Bandhan with family and guests

New Delhi: Any festival in India is incomplete without feasting on special food. It’s the time when family members gather, friends meet, and many guests arrive at home. For Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi too, there are many special foods which can be prepared and savoured on this day with them. From dahi makhani, aata halwa aloo poori, and kala chana chaat to Rajasthani thali, chilli paneer gravy and aam kheer with rice – all of these delicious dishes will surely bring laughter and happiness.

Though Raksha Bandhan is particularly dedicated to the beautiful bond of brother and sister, all family members and guests equally participate in the jubilation. Raksha Bandhan means bond of protection, when a sister ties a sacred thread around the wrist of her brother and he pledges to protect her. The custom started with Indra’s wife, Indrani. She started the practice of tying a rakhi around Indra’s wrist on the advice of Vishnu when the gods suffered a defeat at the hands of the demons and Indra lost his kingdom.

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Make the day of Raksha Bandhan memorable with these Rakhi special food ideas.

1. Dahi makhani without onion and garlic

Dal makhani without onion and garlic can be cooked at home comfortably without using too many spices. This delicious dish needs a generous amount of butter and cream. Cooking and simmering it on a low flame for over an hour gives it a creamy, velvety texture just like makhaan or butter. This additional richness multiplies flavours and creaminess in the dal makhani. Hence the name makhani.

2. Aata halwa aloo poori

Your guests will relish a platter of aata halwa, aloo poori, along with dahi bade. You can keep ready boiled potatoes, urad dal powder in advance, and fry the bhalle on the day your guests arrive. This way, it won’t take much time to serve them.

3. Rustic Rajasthani thali

Dal Bati Churma is a popular rustic Rajasthani thali. Use of ghee or clarified butter is the special feature of this dish. Everything is cooked, dipped and served with ghee. While planning to prepare this thali, you can partially cook everything in advance and save time. Get the gatte, and make baatis one day ahead. Dip them in ghee and store them in the fridge. Microwave them before serving. Make churma even 2-3 days ahead, as it remains good even for a month.

4. Chilli paneer gravy

Chilli paneer gravy is best to save time and avoid too much chopping or dicing of vegetables. This Indo-Chinese dish is spicy, full of flavour. Additionally, it tastes delightful. You can serve it well with fried rice or Hakka noodles.

5. Kala chana chaat

If you are looking for healthy yet tasty food, go for kala chana chaat. Rich in nutrition and vitamins, this kala chana chaat will serve as the solution to mini cravings and hunger pangs you get in between lunch and dinner. It can be taken as a full meal if you are on a diet. Make it mild or extremely hot by balancing the amount of green and red chillies.

6. Rajasthani aloo pyaz paneer sabji

This Rajasthani aloo pyaz paneer ki sabji has amazing flavour. It is super spicy because of the ingredients like red chillies and excess oil. It goes well with bejad roti or tikkad.

7. Aam kheer with rice

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This is a delightful Indian dessert to be savoured during mango season. For this dessert, opt for Alphanso or Safeda or Banganapalli mango for its sweetness and aroma. Any sour mango or aam will not serve the purpose.

Festivals are the ideal moment to flaunt your culinary skills in front of your guests and relatives. Prepare well in advance and bring happiness to the people around you.