Diwali food at HOME – Dal Pakwan, Chana Bhatura and Besan Laddoos

Ah. Diwali and the New Year celebrations are just over but the hangover remains – with lots of mithais, dry fruits and gifts yet to consume! Had a great Diwali. Decorated the house with rangoli, toran and diyas.

For breakfast, we had a Sindhi dish called Dal Pakwan. It is well spiced chana dal served with deep fried maida crispy puris. Its absolutely delicious and sinful at the same time.

dal pakwan

dal pakwan

Lunch was Punjabi meal of Chana Bhatura, served with thickly sliced onions and green chilies – an outright deadly combination – we love it!

Chana bhatura

Chana bhatura

Well, we were unconditionally full, but a day like Diwali cannot be let go without something sweet. So, I made and served besan laddoos.

besan ka laddoos

besan ka laddoos

After such a lunch, we could do nothing more than nap away for an hour. The first half of the meals were so filling that the pani-puri I made for the evening snack had to be eaten the next day. We stuck to a light dinner as the following day was our New Year and we were going visiting to friends and family’s’ houses to wish all a good year ahead.

Bhee (lotus stem) Aloo

Bhee Aloo

Bhee Aloo

The above is a dish Sindhis prepare often. Bhee (lotus stem) is an ingredient used by both Sindhis and Punjabis, but Sindhi’s use it in many dishes and cook it in a variety if ways. Punjabi’s mainly make pakodas from bhee. Bhee needs to be eaten a few times to relish its taste. I enjoy the thick gravy dish with either chapati, rice or even pav!

Sai Bhaji tikkis

Sai bhaji tikkis

Sai bhaji tikkis

These tikkis are made in all Sindhi homes. When Sai Bhaji (see post dated 9th October 2013), is left over after a meal, the bhaji is made into tikkis. This is the first time I made them. Turned out good. My left-over bhaji was converted into a breakfast fare.

This is as nutritious as one can get as the bhaji has spinach, fenugreek leaves, carrots, french beans, onions and a few more veggies.

Sai Bhaji

Sai Bhaji is a Sindhi dish. It is made with dal, spinach and other vegetables cooked together. It’s had with yellow masala rice (rice made yellow by adding turmeric powder) or then with Bhugal rice (rice browned with onions and masala).

sai bhaji

sai bhaji

Its one of the dishes I like from the Sindhi cuisine and, my hubby loves it. He can eat it often (one of the few vegetarian dishes he adores). Add a spoonful of curd and enjoy.

sai bhaji with rice n curd

sai bhaji with rice n curd