Deepavali Eats

This Deepavali, celebrate the triump of light with us here at AFN. Stay safe at home & make delicious traditional indian desserts with Sapna Anand, in your very own kitchen! Or cook up a fragrant one pot vegetarian biryani for the whole family and pair the meal with some delicious Indian Street Food that would make perfect appetizers.

Delicious Diwali Mains

The biggest star of the table and the highlight of a Deepavali feast would be a hearty and delicious main. Cook up something different with a good traditional Dhaba Style Chicken Curry or go a little fusion with our Masala Baked Chicken Rice.

Recipe

Chicken Curry Dhaba Style

Dhabas are roadside eateries which serve a range of local fare and are commonly found along the highways of Northern India. What makes dhaba style food unique is the use of rustic ingredients to whip up something truly special, and this recipe is no exception. A joyous blend of spices mixed with caramelized onions, bell peppers, tomato puree and chicken stock, this Chicken Curry is as wholesome as it gets. Throw in a serving of Kerala style green beans and sautéed spinach, and you’ve got yourself a nutritious delicious low carb meal.

Indian Chicken Masala

Ah, who can resist the aromatic scent of simmering curry wafting out of the kitchen? The rich and creamy Indian Chicken Masala is such a huge crowd-pleaser that you can have it day after day. We love pouring it over our steamed basmati rice, or dipping our garlic naans into it. It’s one of those dishes that taste even better when kept overnight as the flavors get more concentrated each time. We doubt you would have any leftovers though!

Masala Baked Chicken Rice

An Indian twist to the regular baked rice.

Tandoori Chicken with Mint Yoghurt

A quintessential Indian classic, Tandoori Chicken is prepared by marinating the meat with yogurt and a fragrant blend of spices which include garam and chaat masala. Best marinated for a whole day to fully soak up all the flavors, the chicken is then roasted until juicy and tender. A Mint Yogurt sauce offers a refreshing tartness that goes really well with the meat and a serving of sautéed vegetables perfectly rounds up this healthy low carb meal.

Vegetarian

Cauliflower Quinoa Kofta

Cauliflower florets, quinoa and almond flour are bound together by vegan flax egg to make these delicious vegetarian koftas. Tastefully seasoned with herbs and spices, these veggie balls are served with a rich coconut turmeric gravy filled with fragrant spices and a healthy serving of kale. Throw in some grilled cauliflower on the side and you’ve got yourself a power-packed meal!

Chicken Tikka with Turmeric Cabbage

It isn’t a stretch to say that Chicken Tikka is a mainstay in Indian cuisine. Traditionally skewered and baked, these juicy morsels of boneless chicken are cooked in a rich blend of spices, coconut milk and tomatoes in this low carb recipe. Served on a bed of sautéed turmeric cabbage, it is also topped with a garnish of curry leaves and cashews for a nutty finish.

Coconut Lentil Dal

Lentils are a staple in any Indian cuisine. Low in fat and calories and high in protein and fibre, this humble legume is the star ingredient in any good Dal. Here, they are slowly cooked in a luscious coconut milk, tangy tomato and fragrant spice mix to create a flavorful vegetarian gravy. Topped with grilled cauliflower and carrots, this healthy Coconut Lentil Dal is best eaten with flatbread or rice.

Garam Masala “Shepherd’s Pie”

Level up your Shepherd’s Pie by adding in some Indian flavors! On top of that, why not have some fun with it and go full-on vegetarian? In this Garam Masala Shepherd’s Pie, the base is packed with delicious curried vegetables and tofu for all your nutritional needs. Of course, this dish isn’t complete without a creamy layer of buttery mashed potatoes on top. A must-try for any veggie lover!

Healthy Eats: Deepavali Edition

If you are watching the calories, not to worry as we have some healthy options for Deepavali that you can try making. Eating healthy on a festive season is easy peasy with these delicious spicy delights.

Under 60 mins

Vegetarian Briyani

Looking to whip up something truly Malaysian? Why not try our Vegetarian Briyani recipe! This recipe is perfect for any festive season as the colors are vibrant - yellow color basmati rice from the saffron water, red from the tomatoes, white from the coconut milk, and lastly, green color from the garnishings. You can always replace the jackfruit in this recipe with potatoes, carrots, broccoli, or anything that you have in your fridge! It is always up to you! For those who are not a fan of spice, remember to add some sugar to balance off the spiciness!

Spinach & Dahl Vadai

There are many uses of Dahl in Indian cooking, as lentils are a huge source of protein for Indian vegetarians. This South Indian recipe, with added spinach, is flavorsome with a crunchy amalgamation of spices – making this crispy delight great as a snack for anytime, or to accompany one of India’s many mixed rice meals.

One-Pan Paneer Palak Baked Gnocchi

Palak Paneer is a smooth rich spinach gravy with cubes of Indian cottage cheese. A rich, already creamy dish, it’s made even better when you combined it with any kind of starch just to cut its strong flavour - from rice, prata, even pasta. And here, we’ve combined Palak Paneer with gnocchi in this One Pan Baked Palak Paneer recipe. A great family dinner, or to bring to a potluck, especially if your crowd favours Indian and Western cuisine - it’s a perfect combination of both!

Meat Free Butter Chicken

Swap chicken pieces with Quorn’s meatless “chicken” in this creamy meat free Indian classic. The key’s the yogurt-tomato bath that’s infused with ginger, garlic, deeply scented cumin, and warming garam masala. But first, fry up the meat free protein till it sizzles to a golden brown (or slightly brown if you want just a touch of crisp), then coat all over with the ghee-fragrant gravy.

Starters To Begin The Feast

A good indian meal starts with a good bread to soak in all the delicious curries and sauces. Here are some of our favourite breads and appetizers to start your feast with.

Indian

Tantalizing Tangy Rasam

A light broth with a punch of flavour, this dish promises to get rid of your blues... and your flu-like symptoms! The tanginess of Rasam aids in cleaning out your respiratory tract while the curry leaves help you deal with the symptoms. A common dish in South Indian cuisine, Rasam is prepared using tamarind juice as a base, and gently simmered with tomatoes, pepper, cumin and other spices.

Recipe

Curried Sausage Rolls with Spicy Mango Chutney

Bite slowly into a flaky moist curried-spiced puff pastry stuffed with a plump sausage. Smell the intense flavours of garlic, garam masala and sharp ginger as they seep out with each bite. Add another layer of rich flavour when you dip it into a thick coat of sour-sweet mango chutney, or mango sauce.

Indian

Naan

If you’re looking for naan that’s soft and puffy, charred and crunchy- look no further. Knead a roll of flour, sugar, salt, cold sour yoghurt and yeast to get a doughy Indian flatbread you can keep munching on. It’s so good on its own, but really a star when you drizzle on sizzling garlic, melted butter (or ghee), and dipped into curried sauces, runny tomato blends or spiced meats.

Indian

Roti Puri

Light and crispy -puri is unleavened bread, deep-fried till puffy and golden. It’s traditionally served with chickpea curry and chutneys often during breakfast or for a snack. Puri can also be eaten with guacamole, salsa or hummus -let your imagination guide you. Swap out your usual basmati rice, naan or roti for puri and enjoy a lighter lunch or dinner!

Make Your Favourite Indian Street Food Snack

From easy potato samosas to crispy, airy roti puri - our favourite midday snacks are now just one recipe away to a satisfied bellly. So addictive you will want to make these recipes on repeat!

Recipe

Aloo Tikki

This deliciously crispy potato patties are a quintessential Indian street food snack, easy to make with minimal fuss and clean up.

Aloo Malai Kofta

Recreate this delicious vegetarian North Indian dish in the comfort of your own home. Aloo Malai Kofta consists of potato balls (kofta) served with a smooth velvety curry also known as the malai sauce. Traditionally deep-fried, the kofta is pan-fried in this recipe as a healthier alternative. A side of tomato chutney compliments the meal as it perfectly balances out the bold flavors of the creamy curry.

Indian Potato Samosa

Be it a snack or appetizer, Indian Potato Samosas are best served while they are still hot and crunchy. This famous snack has its origins from the Middle East and was actually enjoyed by the princes and nobles! Triangle in shape, samosas can be stuffed with a variety of meat and vegetables, though they are traditionally vegetarian in India. Dip it in mint or your favorite chutney for a refreshing aftertaste.

Goan and Mushroom Croquettes

Croquettes are a very popular snack in Goa. No feasts, weddings, parties or festivals are complete without it! One of the best things about croquettes is the fact that it’s an inexpensive and easy way to make great appetizers or snacks. Sapna has taken a Goan favourite and spiced it up a bit by adding in mushrooms and cheese.

Sweets To End The Meal

Deepavali, also known as Diwali, celebrates the festival of lights. Make these light, fluffy sweet desserts to end your delicious meal on a sweet note and enjoy the rest of the festivities with friends and family.

Recipe

Coconut Pistachio Barfi

Cut into neat cubes, triangles or diamonds, this delicious dessert are available in all sorts of flavours, colours, shapes and textures that one can choose from and make the sweet indulgence a memorable affair.

May Yacoubi's Milk Peda

As the name suggests, milk is the star ingredient of this traditional Indian sweet! Also known as Doodh Peda, this sweet treat is usually served during festive occasions like Deepavali and came from Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India. That doesn’t mean you can’t have it as a reward on normal days (especially those with a sweet tooth). The almonds and pistachios add a nice crunch to this soft and chewy dessert.

DIY Citrus Masala Chai

Leftover citrusy peels? Use excess ginger and orange peels to flavour a delicious Masala tea, and as an air freshener for your kitchen. All you’ve got to do is brew a mug of deliciously spiced chai that’s made from a smatter of cardamon pods, sweet cinnamon, sharp peppercorn and a few more things. My version gives the traditional drink a refreshing edge with your unused citrus peels.

Sugee Cake

Soaking through the sugee cake is a buttery rich and nutty taste, beautifully mixed with a creamy swirl of eggs and vanilla. The sugee cake, a type of wheat flour cake is baked to a deliciously almond-y aroma, and is perfect for those who wish to tuck into an unusual bake this Christmas season.

Indian

Kheer with Pistachio and Rosewater

Kheer is a dessert as essential to North India as tong sui (sweet soups) are to Hong Kong. Perfumed with the alluring fragrance of rose water, a typical ingredient in Indian sweets, this creamy milk and sugar rice pudding is boiled till gooey and sweet-smelling. Then, it’s finished with incredibly aromatic cardamon seeds and nutty pistachios - a fine finish to any Indian meal.

Indian

Rava Ladoo

Semolina or rava, as it’s known, is what gives this traditional Maharashtrian ball-shaped dessert its chewy crunch. Cashew nuts, warmed in milk, add a creamy, nutty texture to the otherwise earthy taste of semolina. And for sweetness, yellow raisins are the perfect add-on to this Rava Ladoo sharing dessert.

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