Holi Festival Recipes ~ Sweets

Several years ago I was active in an online community which had many members who hail from India.  Many of them celebrate a festival called Holi which usually occurs during the month of March (although I have seen some say April).  Although I am not Hindu, I do like the idea behind this holiday tradition as it is a celebration of love, happiness, and colors.  Who wouldn't want to celebrate that, regardless of our diverse religious beliefs? 

I read some of the members' posts and noted that one writer expressed great enthusiasm about the “sweets” they enjoyed during this holiday. So? So you guessed it! I went on a hunt for Holi recipes. No surprise that I was able to find plenty at popular food blogs that I already like and follow from time to time. 

Celebrate Holi, the Festival of Colors, With These 20 Vegan Recipes

Celebrate Holi, the Festival of Colors, With These 20 Vegan Recipes

Holi, also known as the " Festival of Colors " is a Hindu festival that marks the arrival of spring. For two or three days, there is a celebration of color, music, fertility, love, and the victory of good over evil. Holi is an ancient holiday celebrated all over the world but mostly in parts of India and Nepal.

Holi Recipes, Holi festival 2017 Sweets Recipes - Rachna's Kitchen

Holi Recipes, Holi festival 2017 Sweets Recipes - Rachna's Kitchen

When I hear word "HOLI" , first thing that comes to my mind is color. Holi is an important festival of Hindu culture. It is known as the festival of happiness, love and brotherhood. In my childhood, I remember that me and my brothers used to wake up early in ...

Holi Recipes - 80 Holi Special Recipes 2014 - Holi Sweets - Holi Snacks - Blend with Spices

Holi Recipes - 80 Holi Special Recipes 2014 - Holi Sweets - Holi Snacks - Blend with Spices

Holi Festival Special Recipes / Holi Sweets Recipes / Holi Snacks Recipes Holi Sweets Mawa Coconut Jaggery Laddu Doda Burfi Gulab Jamun Kova Kajjikayalu Mawa Til Ladoo Chocolate Mawa Burfi Gur Para Mohanthal Rooh Afza Lemon Sharbat 7 Cup Burfi Microwave Besan Laddu Khoya Besan Laddu Phool Makane Kheer Kakara Pitha Rajgira Burfi Aate Ke...

Aam Ka Panna Recipe | Raw Green Mango Drink - Sharmis Passions

Aam Ka Panna Recipe | Raw Green Mango Drink - Sharmis Passions

Aam Ka Panna,a refreshing summer juice made with raw green mangoes.This scorching summer makes me crave for juices often, I loved this idea of storing the preserve and making the juice as and when we want sure better than the store bought juice mixes / squashes with loads of preservatives.

NOTE:  Sharmis Passions has a treasure trove of Holi recipes, in addition to the mango drink shared above.

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It's March! Time to Celebrate Irish Food!

It's March!  March is Irish-American Heritage Month.

Wishing you a happy holiday in advance.
Happy Saint Patrick's Day!
 

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© Photographer: Anna Maslikova | Agency: Dreamstime.com

Food Blog Spotlight: Dinner Ideas: Duck with Star Anise Broth – Chef Kevin Ashton

Have you ever tasted duck?  I have only had one food-tasting experience with duck. Wish I could have had more. Nevertheless, that one experience was more than enough to condition me. Now every time I even see a duck recipe or cooking video, I start salivating.

My Facebook Memories reminded that I shared this recipe with my network of followers several years ago.  It's an awesome duck recipe from a food blog published by a chef based in the UK.  He uses star anise, one of my favorite exotic spices.

Duck with Star Anise Broth
– Chef Kevin Ashton

English: Ilicium verum, Schisandraceae, Star Anise, Atar Aniseed, Badiane, Chinese Star Anise, fruits. The dried ripe fruits are used in homeopathy as remedy: Anisum stellatum (Anis.) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The spice star anise is distilled to make star anise oil (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

SPICE SPOTLIGHT: Star Anise

Widely used in Chinese and Indian cuisine, this whole spice resembles anise in flavor. Some stars may be broken and not entirely whole.

See also: SPICE SPOTLIGHT: Peppercorns

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MORE FROM KEVIN'S FOOD BLOG

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Inexpensive Meals: Lentils are Hearty, Healthy and a Small Bag Can Feed a Crowd

LEBANESE RECIPE: Mujaddara

I did not start eating lentils until I got married back in the 70s. It was never served in my mom's house. I learned how to cook them because my husband liked them. I usually seasoned them with smoked turkey and added diced carrots, onions, and celery. Learned that lentils are a common dish in the Middle East. They are legumes and they come in different colors: black, brown, red, and yellow. They can not be eaten RAW. Also, you don't have to soak them before cooking.

Mujaddara is a dish of cooked lentils together with groats, generally rice, and garnished with sautéed onions.

• Here is a recipe: Mujadara (Lentils and Rice with Caramelized Onions) -Cookie and Kate  

“Mujadara is served across the Middle East in various forms and goes by differing names, depending on where you are. It has many spelling variations: mujadarra, mujadarah, majadra, mejadra, moujadara, mudardara, and megadarra.”

• More Info: What Are Lentils and How Do You Cook Them? | Cooking Light ~ 

The good thing about lentils is that they are very inexpensive and one small bag (16 oz.) can make a big pot to feed a lot of people.

Original source

Grilled Peach Salad / Solata s pečenimi breskvami (Reblog)

I love peaches and I especially love them in salads. I love this food blog because it shares wonderful recipes like this one. Grilled Peach Salad / Solata s pečenimi breskvami

Archived posts date back to 2012. Check out more content from this blog:


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Foodie Friday: Childhood Memories: COTTON CANDY!

Cotton candy is a treat that I only used to eat whenever carnivals came to town. I found this article and it provoked some nostalgic thoughts. It also shared some food history.

CottonCandy: a traditional sugary treat gets a new spin - Glutto Digest

~ Cotton candy originated in Italy in the 1400s.

~ In the mid 18th century, spun sugar was used in the U.S. and Europe but cotton candy was only available to wealthy people.

~ In the late 19th century, confectioners John C. Wharton and William Morrison created a special machine that would quickly melt sugar and generate a centrifugal force to shoot it through a screen.

~ In the 1920s, this sugary snack was officially known in the US as “cotton candy.”

~ In the USA, two national food days are dedicated to cotton candy: July 31 and December 2.

I can't remember the last time I had cotton candy. It's been so long. Carnivals don't come to town like they used to. When was the last time you had cotton candy?

Celebrities Who are Vegan

It's the New Year.  Everybody is thinking about making changes to their diet.  Right?  Well!   Most people are thinking that.  Sharing a link to an interesting article.

Plant-Based and Loving It! Here Are 50 Celebrities Who Went #Vegan (and MightInspire You to Do the Same)

Frankly, I could never become vegan. But I have cut down on meat and I am eating lots more fruits and veggies these days. I don't know about where you live but Where I live food prices are going up and the grocery store shelves are kind of bare. You could say my change in diet was simply adapting to whatever food is available and reasonably priced.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends eating a minimum of 400g of fruit and vegetables a day to lower the risk of serious health problems. They say you should eat That's 5 portions of fruit and vegetables per day. A portion of fruit or vegetables is 80g.

** Do you follow the “5 a Day” rule? 

This year I am going to try to DRINK my fruits and veggies, using my blender and making smoothies.

** Do you have a favorite healthy drink recipe?

Food Blog Spotlight: Vegan and Vegetarian Blogs: The Flaming Vegan (UPDATED Jan 2022)

Many celebrities have gone the way of the vegan. Common and Miley Cyrus to name just two (see "Links of Interest" below). Taking the leap and plunging myself into a vegan diet would be unrealistic. Taking baby steps toward modifying my diet to incorporate vegan food into my meals is a much more reasonable and sensible approach. That's why it gives me great pleasure to shine the spotlight on:

UPDATE:  Jan 2022: Sadly this domain name has expired and is now parked. Courtesy of GoDaddy.  Broken links below in this post have been replaced with archived links or suitable substitute links from other food blogger.

The Flaming Vegan (Domain parked free)

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The publishers describe their site as a “vegan and vegetarian blogging extravaganza”. Not only does this food blog provide recipes, but also answers to questions that didn't even cross my mind. Should have asked. Just didn't know any better. 


Below are few selected posts that ought to get you curious to know more. You may end up scratching your head and wondering why you're not already converted. Somebody preached the vegan gospel to rappers and they're repenting! :)

The Best Vegan Holiday Cookies. Seriously.

The Best Vegan Holiday Cookies. Seriously.

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 12 minutes Nothing says fall like pumpkin. Pumpkin pie, pumpkin spice latte, pumpkin bread, pumpkin popcorn, pumpkin flavored nuts, ice cream, oreos, granola bars; you name it! How about some vegan marshmallow stuffed pumpkin cookies? We usually go to Trader Joe's once a week.

 

Our 8 Favorite Vegan Online Resources - Purple Carrot

 

How Does The Change of Life Affect Vegan Women?

How Does The Change of Life Affect Vegan Women?

I am sure it won't be news to anyone following a purely plant-based diet that this regime benefits your health in numerous ways. However, there is one particular health perk of being vegan which may be quite a surprise to most people, as it was to me...

 

4 Fantastic Ways to Get All the Vitamins You Need

4 Fantastic Ways to Get All the Vitamins You Need

Whether you are a vegan for ethical reasons or dietary concerns, the bottom line is that you would like to be the healthiest vegan that you can. There is a common misconception that those who follow a vegan diet do not get enough essential vitamins and...

 

Your Quick Guide to Vegan Baking Substitutes

Your Quick Guide to Vegan Baking Substitutes

This article is designed to help new vegans and anyone else interested in reducing their consumption of animal products. It presents easy and effective alternatives to common ingredients such as dairy products and eggs in baking. If you are new to ...

 

Getting Picky Eaters to Eat with the Rainbow Method

Getting Picky Eaters to Eat with the Rainbow Method

I don't know about you, but I have picky eaters in my house. Oh, they're better now than they used to be, but back when they were small, mealtimes were battles to be fought. Many parents today face the same issue and it can be a big one. At one point...

 

Links of Interest: Common's Super-Healthy Diet Makes Us Feel Like Gluttonous Swine  Miley Cyrus Vegan Diet | POPSUGAR Fitness Vegan Celebrities – Famous Celebrities who Choose a Vegan Diet New Trend Alert: Rappers Are Going Vegan