The festive season in India is a time for indulging in delicious sweets and desserts. From traditional Indian sweets to fusion desserts, there’s no shortage of options. Here are our top three picks for making the best festive treats using Indian ingredients, along with the essential stainless steel cookware and utensils you’ll need.
Gulab Jamun
Gulab Jamun is a classic Indian dessert that’s a staple on every festive occasion. This sweet and syrupy dessert is made with khoya, which is essentially dried milk solids, and flavored with cardamom and saffron. To make this delicious dessert, you’ll need a sturdy stainless steel kadhai or wok and a slotted spoon for frying the jamuns.
- Ingredients
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup khoya
- A pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup milk
- Oil or ghee for frying
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- A few strands of saffron
- 2-3 cardamom pods, crushed
- Instructions:
- In a mixing bowl, crumble the khoya with your fingers.
- Add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to the khoya and mix well.
- Gradually add the milk and knead the mixture to form a smooth dough.
- Heat the oil or ghee in a kadhai or wok over medium heat.
- Divide the dough into small balls and fry them in the hot oil or ghee until golden brown.
- Remove the fried jamuns with a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel to absorb excess oil.
- In a saucepan, heat the sugar and water over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
- Add the saffron and crushed cardamom pods to the sugar syrup and stir well.
- Bring the syrup to a boil and let it simmer for 5-10 minutes.
- Remove the syrup from the heat and add the fried jamuns to the syrup.
- Let the jamuns soak in the syrup for at least an hour before serving.
Kaju Katli
Kaju Katli is a popular Indian sweet made with cashews and flavored with cardamom. This melt-in-your-mouth sweet is perfect for gifting to friends and family during the festive season. To make Kaju Katli, you’ll need a high-quality stainless steel food processor and a rolling pin for flattening the dough.
- Ingredients:
- 2 cups cashews
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- A pinch of saffron
- 2-3 cardamom pods, crushed
- Instructions:
- In a food processor, grind the cashews to a fine powder.
- In a saucepan, heat the sugar and water over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
- Add the saffron and crushed cardamom pods to the sugar syrup and stir well.
- Bring the syrup to a boil and let it simmer for 5-10 minutes.
- Add the cashew powder to the sugar syrup and stir well.
- Continue stirring the mixture over low heat until it forms a smooth dough.
- Remove the dough from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Transfer the dough to a flat surface and knead it for a few minutes.
- Roll out the dough to a thickness of 1/4 inch using a rolling pin.
- Cut the dough into diamond shapes using a sharp knife or cookie cutter.
- Let the Kaju Katli cool completely before serving.
Besan Ladoo
Besan Ladoo is a simple yet delicious Indian sweet made with gram flour, ghee, and sugar. These round balls of goodness are perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings during the festive season. To make Besan Ladoo, you’ll need a heavy-bottomed stainless steel pan and a spatula for stirring the mixture.
- Ingredients:
- 2 cups gram flour (besan)
- 1 cup ghee
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 cardamom pods, crushed
- A handful of chopped nuts (optional)
- Instructions:
- In a heavy-bottomed pan, heat the ghee over low heat.
- Add the gram flour to the pan and stir well.
- Keep stirring the mixture over low heat until it turns golden brown and fragrant.
- Add the crushed cardamom pods and chopped nuts (if using) to the mixture and stir well.
- Remove the pan from heat and let the mixture cool for a few minutes.
- Add the powdered sugar to the mixture and stir well.
- Form the mixture into small balls using your hands.
- Let the Besan Ladoo cool completely before serving.
Stainless Steel Cookware and Utensils
To make these festive treats, you’ll need high-quality stainless steel cookware and utensils that are durable, easy to clean, and long-lasting. Here are some essential items you’ll need:
- Stainless Steel Kadhai or Wok – A kadhai or wok is a deep, circular cooking vessel perfect for frying Indian sweets and snacks. A stainless steel kadhai or wok is a great investment as it’s durable and distributes heat evenly.
- Stainless Steel Food Containers – A food container is a must-have kitchen tool for storing sweets like Kaju Katli. A high-quality stainless steel food container is easy to clean and will last for years.
- Stainless Steel Pan – A heavy-bottomed stainless steel pan is perfect for making Besan Ladoo. The pan should be thick and sturdy to prevent burning and to distribute heat evenly.
- Stainless Steel Spatula and Slotted Spoon – A spatula and slotted spoon are essential for stirring and frying Indian sweets. They should be made of high-quality stainless steel to prevent rusting and ensure durability.
You can find all these utensils on our website.
In conclusion, these three festive treats are easy to make and are sure to impress your family and friends. With the right stainless steel cookware and utensils, you’ll be able to make these sweets with ease and enjoy them with your loved ones during the festive season.
