While for Indians, Diwali is the most awaited festival, lit up and filled with fun and enjoyment and of course delicious food! Probably the most significant highlight of Diwali is the enormous variety of snacks prepared and, of course, distributed among friends and family. Preparing traditional snack recipes for Diwali at home can be particularly satisfying for Indians in the USA as they keep the spirit of Diwali alive. Here are a few snack recipes that you can easily prepare in your USA kitchen to make it sizzle on the festival of Diwali.

List of top 5 snack recipes that you can easily prepare in your USA kitchen:

Chakli (Murukku)

Chakli is a crispy spiral-shaped snack prepared using rice flour and spices. It is crunchy, savory, and perfect to munch on during the festival of light.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rice flour
• ½ cup besan (gram flour)
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp sesame seeds
• ½ tsp turmeric powder
• ½ tsp red chili powder
• Salt to taste
• Water for kneading dough
• Oil for frying

To prepare:

Mix together- Rice flour, besan, butter, cumin seeds, sesame seeds, turmeric, red chili powder, and salt.
Gradually add water to make dough and knead to finish.
Now use the dough to make shapes from the chakli maker to spirals
Dip the chaklis in the hot oil till it become golden brown color and let it cool. Keep it in an airtight container.

Also Read: Diwali 2024 USA: Easy, Quick Instant Chakli Snacks Recipe

Namak Pare

These namak pare are a simple, delicious savory snack made out of flour and spices, cut into small pieces, and fried perfectly.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour (maida)
• 2 tbsp semolina (sooji)
• 2 tbsp oil
• ½ tsp carom seeds (ajwain)
• Salt to taste
• Water (for kneading dough)
• Oil (for frying)

Method:

• Take a bowl and mix flour, semolina, oil, carom seeds, and salt.
• Gradually add water for kneading a firm dough.
• Roll out the dough and cut into thin strips or squares.
• Fry those pieces in hot oil until golden and crisp.

Mathri

Mathri is a popular North Indian teatime snack. Especially, during diwali, this dish can be found on every other table with a glass of buffalo milk. This crispy piece of flaky crackers gets ready with flour and with spices. It tastes a bit different.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all purpose flour (maida)
• ½ cup semolina (sooji)
• 2 tbsp ghee or oil
• 1 tsp carom seeds (ajwain)
• Salt to taste
• Water (to knead dough)
• Oil (for frying)

Method

Mix flour, semolina, ghee/oil, carom seeds, and salt in a bowl.
Add water to make the dough stiff.
Roll it out and cut it into round shapes.
Fry mathris in hot oil, on medium heat until the desired golden and crispy color.

Also Read: Diwali 2024 in the USA: Date, History, Significance, and Celebration

Shakarpara

To put your tongue to that saccharine taste of a sweet bite, you can shape Shakarpara; made with bit-sized sweetened fried dough coated with sugar syrup. Very ideal to satisfy all your Diwali sweet tooths.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour (maida)
• 2 tbsp ghee
• 1 cup sugar
• ½ cup water
• Oil (for frying)

Procedure:

Step 1: Mix flour and ghee, add water, and knead to a firm dough.
Step 2: Roll out the dough and cut into small diamond shapes.
Step 3: Fry the pieces until golden brown.
Step 4: Prepare syrup in the pan, by heating sugar and water.
Step 5: Add fried shakarparas to sugar syrup and toss them to get well coated.

Sev

Sev is one crunchy snack made from gram flour besan and can be prepared in spicy or mild as you like it. It is perfect for munching during the festival of lights, Diwali, or even during chaats.

Ingredients

• 2 cups besan (gram flour)
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• Salt as needed
• Water (for making dough)
• Oil (for frying)

Method:

Take besan, turmeric, red chili powder, and salt.
Add water gradually to make soft dough.
Shape sev maker into thin strings.
Deep fry sev in hot oil till crispy.

Where to Find Ingredients in the USA

Most the ingredients can easily be obtained in Indian stores in the USA. Such places as Patel Brothers, Apna Bazaar, and even chains like Walmart and Amazon carry some of these essentials, such as rice flour, besan, and spices in India.
These are not only very luscious but also very easy to prepare at home, even for those staying in the USA. Be it crispy chakli or sweet Shakarpara, you get all authentic Indian snack items that will give a touch of your own home to the festival celebration. Collect all your necessary ingredients and get ready to prepare these delectable snacks for a happy and merry Diwali in 2024.

Are you in the mood for a filling, flavorful, and nutritious meal? You only need to look at these 5 Best Dal Recipes that are popular and simple to cook. The citizens of the USA have developed an inclination toward Indian food, wherein Indian lentil recipes have seen wide acceptance. Dal Makhani, Dal Fry, Green Moong Dal, and other dal recipes are popular among the Indians.

Image Source: Spice and Colour

Classic & Contemporary Dal Recipes

Whether you prefer traditional dal dishes like Dal Makhani and Dal Fry or you like something fresh and creative like Masoor Dal or Dal Dhokli, you will find its recipe here. These lentil recipes will offer a wholesome and filling dose of protein, fiber, and vital vitamins along with the rich and fragrant tastes of Indian cooking. If you are an Indian resident of the USA, then you will surely love the 5 best dal recipes that require the use of fresh ingredients, lots of quality masala, and your dedication. 

Dal Makhani

The most popular recipe, Dal Makhani, is quite simple to prepare with perfection at home. 

• Cook the yellow lentils (toor dal) till they get soft.
• In another pan, heat oil & then add cumin seeds, onions, tomatoes, garlic, ginger, & green chilies.
• Sauté until the color of the onions becomes golden brown.
• Combine the mixture and cooked lentils. Then, simmer it.
• Before serving, garnish the dal with cilantro.

Punjabi Dal Fry

It is another top Indian lentil recipe, which is loved by Indians all around the world.

• Cook the yellow lentils (toor dal) till it gets soft.
• In another pan, heat oil & then add cumin seeds, onions, tomatoes, garlic, ginger, & green chilies.
• Sauté until the color of onions becomes golden brown.
• Combine the mixture and cooked lentils. Then, simmer it.
• Before serving, garnish the dal with cilantro.

Masoor Dal

A creamy and spiced dish, masoor lentil is a common staple in all Indian kitchens.

• Cook the red lentils (masoor dal) till it gets soft.
• In another pan, heat oil & then add cumin seeds, onions, tomatoes, garlic, & ginger. Add some quantity of green chilies.
• Sauté until the tomatoes break down.
• Combine the mixture and cooked lentils.
• Simmer till the texture becomes consistent.

Dal Dhokli

This dal recipe is a common Rajasthani and Gujarati cuisine.

• With wheat flour, water, salt & oil, make a dough.
• Roll out the dough & cut pieces in the shape of a diamond (dhoklis).
• Cook the yellow lentils (toor dal) till they get soft.
• In another pan, heat oil & then add cumin seeds, onions, tomatoes, mustard seeds, asafoetida, curry leaves, garlic, & ginger. Add some quantity of green chilies.
• Add water & boil it. Then, add the prepared dhoklis.
• Cook until the dhoklis are soft & the dal thickens.

Green Moong Dal

Green Moong Dal is a wholesome lentil, which is a favorite of many. It is very easy to prepare in a pressure cooker.

• Soak green moong dal overnight.
• Strain the water and add fresh water. Pressure cook the soaked dal until it gets soft.
• In another pan, heat oil & then add cumin seeds, onions, tomatoes, mustard seeds, asafoetida, curry leaves, garlic, & ginger. Add some quantity of green chilies.
• Add chopped tomatoes, and cook until soft.
• Combine cooked dal, spices, and water if needed.
• Simmer until flavors blend.
• Garnish with cilantro and serve with rice or chapati.

Epilogue

In conclusion, there is a rich tapestry of dal recipes that are sure to tantalize the taste buds. These are very easy to cook with all the ingredients available easily in the USA. With the 5 best dal recipes mentioned here, you will get the best aroma and taste.

If you want to master famous Indian dishes from the comfort of your kitchen, then you can start with Jeera Rice (Cumin Rice). It is very easy to cook and serves as the perfect entry point for beginners. In the USA, citizens prefer to make such simple, beginner-cooking Indian dishes in their kitchen. Kitchari, Mutter Paneer, and many other cuisines require the minimum effort in cooking and fulfill all the tastebuds.

Introduction

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” This timeless quote by Lao Tzu is famous with all those people who want to embark on a new culinary adventure. In the USA, there are many such people who are open to experimenting with new tastes and cuisines. They are not just the Indian-Americans in the USA but also locals, who have shown a keen interest in various Indian dishes. Among the menu, many recipes can be prepared at home. In this article, we’ll look into some easy-to-cook Indian dishes which are ideal for beginners. By cooking these dishes, people will ensure a flavorful adventure into the heart of Indian cooking.

List of 5 Simple Indian Recipes for Beginners:

Jeera Rice (Cumin Rice):

This Indian dish comprises basmati rice and cumin seeds. It is an everyday rice dish that is popular among the North Indians. It is very easy to prepare by using rice, cumin seeds, onions, coriander leaves, and vegetable oil.

Khichdi or Khichri:

It is a porridge of rice and lentils. A satisfying and nourishing Indian dish, it has a delectable taste because of the presence of tempered spices and garlic in it. Kitchari is also a preferred staple in case of an illness. For Indians residing in the USA, it is a medically verified dish that can be made even by those who are cooking for the first time.

Dal Chawal

Dal or lentil recipes are very simple to prepare and hence it should be tried by the novice. The standard preparation procedures start with boiling the soaking the dal in water, using this clean dal with some turmeric. Fried garnish and salt should be added as per the taste. Tomatoes, onions, and various masalas are used while cooking the dal to get a sweet-sour flavor.

Gajar Matar Ki Sabzi

Curry, also known as Sabzi, is a South Asian meal that consists of vegetables with a spiced sauce. This steamed and sauteed dry dish is prepared by using carrots, green peas, and small amounts of spices. While there are other ways to prepare carrot and pea dry curry, this recipe just requires a few simple ingredients and can be prepared quickly. On weeknights, this recipe is a simple lunch or supper option. Savor for a hearty and satisfying lunch with roti or paratha.

Mutter Paneer (Peas and Cheese)

This tomato-based curry dish takes 40 minutes to prepare. Fresh, farmer’s cheeses, peas, turmeric, and various masala combos are used to give it an intense flavor. Generally, it is served with basmati rice or bread.

Epilogue

In conclusion, it is not a daunting task for beginners to cook and savor famous Indian dishes. The easy-to-cook Indian cuisines mentioned here require basic ingredients and can be prepared in a quick time. Else, you can also order online or visit an Indian restaurant anywhere in the USA for a bite of these tasty dishes.