Pictured above- Coconut Laddoo. Pink coconut balls made with fresh shredded coconut and colored with beet.
Happy Dhanteras all! Diwali is just a few days away. Heres a short round up of sweets and savories that can be whipped up and kept ready. all vegan(dairyfree, eggless), soyfree, most glutenfree. Lets start with the Sweets.
Pictured below – Kaju Katli – Cashew fudge
Along with the celebration and prayers for Children (Ahoi ashtami) and the main festival celebrating victory of Good over Evil, there are other celebration days throughout the 20 days. Like Karwachauth – celebrating the bond of marriage, where depending on the region, women usually fast for the safety and longevity of their relationship and partners. Dhanteras- Celebration and thankfulness for prosperity and well being, Bhai Dooj- celebration the sibling bond, especially prayers from the sisters for the well being of the brothers.
Apple Jalebis with Rabri – Apple fritters soaked in Saffron flavored syrup, served with cardamom flavored cashew cream.
Pictured below. Sooji Halwa/Sheera. Semolina crumble with cashews and dried cranberries.
Some of the celebrations seem a bit sexist at times. There are several interpretations and stories behind each celebration. Even though, only the women fast and pray during Karwachauth and the men do not do anything(except of course give the women some nice gifts), it is still a celebration of the bond and love between 2 people who choose to spend their life together. I dont fast nor do we follow any strict celebration plans. Its a day dedicated to enjoying some the old traditions and wishing for a good relationship and each others good health.
I tried my hand at some simple Henna/mehendi design for Karwachauth on my left hand. It came out quite decent 🙂
Pictured below- Gulab Jamuns! Indian doughnuts soaked in cardamom and saffron flavored sugar syrup. I will be soon bringing you a new and improved version which is even closer to the real deal!
I took the new recipe GJs and the Apple Jalebis with Rabri to a Diwali get together yesterday and no one could guess that they were Vegan! now thats what I call delicious celebration.:)
Pictured below Besan Laddoo – Sweet chickpea flour balls with cocoa butter.
Pictured below Oilfree Wheat Laddoo and Wheat Choorma-Wheat flour balls and crumble.
And now for the Savory.. There is always a good bunch of savory goodies made during the festival to balance out the sweet. Usually most are fried 🙂 I try to avoid frying as much as possible.. Here are some delicious healthy savories.
Glutenfree Potato and Rice Crackers. Baked Namak Paare/Murukku Crackers. Super easy and delicious
Chana Masala spiced roasted nuts. mmm mmm. or use garam masala or just salt and red chili powder 🙂
Glutenfree Chickpea Oat Crackers with Fennel Seeds – Chana Murmura Mathri – with cooked chickpeas oats and puffed rice. 
Chickpea Flour roll ups – Khandvi. GF These fresh rolls ups can be stuffed with spiced up kale, other greens, chutneys, or coarsely ground spicy roasted nuts.
Chivda– Savory cereal/rice kripies snack with dried fruits, roasted sprouted chickpeas/roasted nuts.
Baked Potato French Fries – umm yeah, i need these for any celebration 😉
Roasted Garam masala chickpeas. Crunchhhh.
Have a safe and wonderful festival season.
This collection is being shared at Slightly indulgent Tuesdays, Hearth and soul blog hop, allergy Friendly Wednesdays
Small Footprints says
November 11, 2012 at 1:35 amI’m salivating! 🙂 Enjoy your festival … and thanks for sharing these “yummies” with us!
Richa says
November 11, 2012 at 8:04 pmThank you 🙂
Hannah says
November 11, 2012 at 2:26 amThat henna design is incredible! Oh, I really wish I could enlist your help on a project I’ve been brewing up that involves edible henna… I just have no talent at it, and am having a hard time finding someone who can help.
Richa says
November 11, 2012 at 8:05 pmi just copied the design 🙂 let me know if i can help:) i’d love to know what edible henna stuff you are up to:)
Reshmi Mahesh says
November 11, 2012 at 5:34 amWow…yummy collection…
Richa says
November 11, 2012 at 8:05 pmThanks Reshmi!
Cadry's Kitchen says
November 11, 2012 at 2:05 pmThat all looks so delicious! That’s my way to celebrate! 🙂
Richa says
November 11, 2012 at 8:05 pmThanks Cadry! it sure is!
Anonymous says
November 11, 2012 at 8:37 pmThank you for sharing all these wonderful recipes! Nice gluten-free options!
Joey says
November 11, 2012 at 9:56 pmI’ve always wanted to try gulab jamuns. Can’t wait for the new recipe!
Gabby @ the veggie nook says
November 12, 2012 at 12:29 pmWhat an amazing collection of recipes! Happy Diwali Richa!
Shema George says
November 12, 2012 at 2:46 pmSuch a beautiful collection of recipes. Love it:)
Happy Diwali to you Richa.
archena says
November 12, 2012 at 3:18 pmThanks Richa for this yum collection.
Happy Diwali to you!!!
Nithiya says
November 12, 2012 at 4:05 pmYour recipe collection is pretty good…planning to try the gulab jamun (i’ve been thinking of ways to veganize it). I wanted to make apple jalebis and couple other sweets for diwali… let’s see how mine turns out. Happy Diwali!!
Nithiya says
November 12, 2012 at 4:05 pmThis comment has been removed by the author.
Kera says
November 13, 2012 at 4:19 pmThank you, Richa! These look wonderful. Happy Diwali!
Bex @ Vegan Sparkles says
November 14, 2012 at 7:39 amOh my WOW, what an amazing collection! My good friend has been dancing in Festival of Light celebrations here this week and I think I need to make the Apple Jalebis with Rabri for us to share. 😉 Your henna tattoo is just gorgeous as well. Have a beautiful celebration.
Kristy says
November 14, 2012 at 7:07 pmThis looks like one incredible and impressive spread, Richa! Happy Diwali! xo
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
November 14, 2012 at 8:17 pmHope you had a great Diwali!! Delicious round up that got me so hungry. Off to look for food!
ps: Need namak paare in my life!
Judy @Savoring Today says
November 19, 2012 at 4:52 amWhat a beautiful henna design and delicious recipes for celebrating. Thanks for sharing on Hearth & Soul Hop. 🙂
Hồng Nhung Nguyễn says
November 20, 2013 at 12:54 pmYour website is really useful =)) Can you allow me to translate your work to Vietnamese versions to share with Vietnamese?
Richa says
November 20, 2013 at 7:10 pmall the recipes, text and photographs are copyrighted and cannot be copied. I would request you to not translate all of it put it up online or share. There is a translate option on the blog. you can translate the recipe you or your friends want to try and use it.