Indian desserts

Puran poli thali
Indian, Indian desserts, Maharashtrian, Recipes, Regional, Vegetarian

Puran poli / पुरणपोळी / Maharashtrian sweet lentil flatbreads

Whether it’s the Hindu festival of colours (called Holi), or a farming festival of oxen (called Bail Pola), a Maharashtrian puran poli is not to be missed. It’s traditional to make this Marathi delicacy for festivals like Holi, Diwali, Bail Pola, Ganesh Chaturthi and Gudi Padwa. I feel obliged to roll some of these sweet […]

Gluten-free, Indian, Indian desserts, Maharashtrian, Recipes, Regional, Vegetarian

Tilgulachi Vadi / Sesame Peanut Flapjacks

We Indians, never pass up the opportunity to make jaggery-based sweet treats in the cooler months. And the festival of Makar Sankranti gives all the more reason to make these ‘til-gulachi vadi’, as we call them in Marathi or ‘sesame-peanut flapjack’ as my English husband once described them as he popped one in his mouth […]

Gluten-free, Indian, Indian desserts, Maharashtrian, Recipes, Regional, Vegetarian

Besan Ladoo / Besancha ladu / Besan laddoo / Sweet Gram Flour Balls

If there’s ever been a dessert that springs to mind when I hear someone say ‘melt-in-mouth’, then it’s besan laddoo. For me it’s rather evocative. The thought of it stirs emotions of holding the besan (gram flour) dough and moulding it, using the heat of your palms, until a neat round ball of ‘laddoo’ or […]

Chocolate modak recipe
Gluten-free, Indian, Indian desserts, Maharashtrian, Recipes, Vegetarian

Chocolate Modak With Coconut Filling

Modaks are traditionally made during Ganesh Chaturthi to celebrate Lord Ganesha’s birthday and it’s customary to spoil him with his favourite sweet, that’s modaks. While ‘ukadiche modaks’ are my personal favourite (as well as Ganesha’s), my daughter can’t appreciate the Ganpati festivities until she gets to eat this dainty dark chocolate and coconut variety. So, […]

Gluten-free, Indian desserts, Maharashtrian, Recipes, Vegetarian

Fresh Coconut Burfi With Reduced Milk / Naralachi Burfi

Burfi – India’s answer to western fudge. It’s sweet, it’s soft; melts in your mouth, and leaves you craving for more. Indian burfi is usually made with milk and sugar, laced with flavours of saffron, cardamom, fruits, and nuts. It’s basically a celebration of all things joyful. Now I usually make my coconut burfi with […]