Lohri, the vibrant festival of Punjab, is celebrated with joyous gatherings, music, dancing, and, most importantly, food. Known as the harvest festival, Lohri brings people together around a crackling bonfire to enjoy traditional delicacies that have been prepared with love and care. This festival is incomplete without an array of Lohri special food that includes savoury snacks for Lohri, hearty main dishes, and delightful Lohri special sweets.
In this blog you will read
- The recipes of some classic Lohri dishes, including the all-time favourite Sarson Ka Saag and Makki Ki Roti,
- Highlights on how modern kitchen appliances make festive cooking more enjoyable and efficient.
Quick Recipe Overview:
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Cuisine: Punjabi, Indian
- Course: Main Course, Snacks, Dessert
- Serves: 4
1. Sarson Ka Saag and Makki Ki Roti:
This iconic Punjabi dish is the heart of Lohri festivities. The earthy flavours of mustard greens paired with buttery cornmeal flatbread are simply irresistible.
Sarson Ka Saag Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 500g mustard greens (sarson)
- 200g spinach (palak)
- 200g bathua (goosefoot greens)
- 2 medium onions (chopped)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1-inch ginger (grated)
- 2 medium tomatoes (chopped)
- 3 green chilies (chopped)
- 2 tablespoons maize flour (Makki ka atta)
- 3 tablespoons ghee or butter
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
Prepare the Greens: Wash the mustard greens, spinach, and bathua thoroughly. Blanch them in boiling water for 5 minutes and drain.
Grind the Greens: Blend the greens into a coarse paste using the Wipro Elato 1000W Mixer Grinder, which ensures smooth grinding with its Deep Flow Breaker technology.
Cook the Saag: Heat ghee in a pan. Sauté onions, garlic, ginger, and green chilies until fragrant. Add tomatoes and cook until soft. Stir in the blended greens, maize flour, and salt. Cook on low heat for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally to achieve the creamy consistency.
Makki Ki Roti Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups maize flour (Makki ka atta)
- Warm water for kneading
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
Knead the Dough: Mix maize flour, salt, and warm water to form a soft yet firm dough.
Shape the Rotis: Take a small portion of the dough, roll it into a ball, and flatten it gently into a circular shape using your palms or rolling pin.
Cook the Rotis: Heat a tawa (griddle) on medium heat. Place the roti on the tawa and cook on both sides until golden brown. Apply a dollop of butter for extra flavour.
Serve the saag and roti together, garnished with a dollop of butter for a perfect special food for Lohri.
2. Til Ke Ladoo (Sesame Seed Sweet)
No Lohri celebration is complete without til ke ladoo, a traditional Lohri special sweet made with sesame seeds and jaggery.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sesame seeds (til)
- 1 cup jaggery (grated)
- 2 tablespoons ghee
Instructions:
Roast the Sesame Seeds: Dry roast sesame seeds in a pan on low heat until golden and aromatic.
Melt the Jaggery: Heat jaggery in a pan with 2 tablespoons of water until it melts and forms a syrup.
Combine and Shape: Add roasted sesame seeds to the syrup and mix well. Grease your hands with ghee and shape the mixture into small ladoos while warm.
3. Peanut Chikki (Peanut Brittle)
This crunchy sweet snack is a popular Lohri snack, loved by all ages.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup roasted peanuts
- 1 cup jaggery (grated)
Instructions:
Prepare the Jaggery Syrup: Melt jaggery in a pan until it turns bubbly and smooth.
Mix in the Peanuts: Add roasted peanuts to the syrup and stir until fully coated.
Set and Cool: Pour the mixture onto a greased surface and flatten it with a rolling pin. Once cooled, break into pieces.
4. Pindi Chole (Spiced Chickpea Curry)
Pindi Chole is another hearty dish perfect for Lohri dishes.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups boiled chickpeas
- 2 medium onions (finely chopped)
- 3 tomatoes (pureed)
- 2 teaspoons chole masala
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- Salt to taste
- Ghee or oil for cooking
Instructions:
- Heat ghee in a pan and add cumin seeds.
- Sauté onions until golden, then add tomato puree, chole masala, and salt.
- Add boiled chickpeas and simmer for 10 minutes. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve with puri or rice.
Modern Kitchen Appliances for Effortless Lohri Cooking:
Preparing a festive spread like Lohri's can be demanding, but appliances like the Wipro Vesta 1.2L Outer Lid Multicooker Kettle and the Wipro Elato 1000W Mixer Grinder simplify the process without compromising on taste.
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Wipro Vesta 1.2L Outer Lid Multicooker Kettle:
Multiutility Design: Boil water/milk, prepare noodles or pasta, steam rice or momos, and even boil eggs with ease.
Concurrent Cooking: Save time by cooking two dishes simultaneously.
Rust-Free & Safe: The SS 304 inner wall ensures durability, while the cool-touch exterior prevents burns.
Adjustable Temperature Control: Fine-tune the temperature for a variety of recipes.
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Wipro Elato 1000W Mixer Grinder
Powerful Motor: A heavy-duty 1000W motor for effortless grinding.
Deep Flow Breaker Technology: Ensures consistent blending and smooth results.
Stone Pounding Blades: Ideal for achieving authentic textures in dry grinding recipes.
Stylish and Durable: Its modern design enhances kitchen aesthetics while offering ease of cleaning.
Lohri is a festival of togetherness, warmth, and delicious food, from Sarson Ka Saag and Makki Ki Roti to sweet treats like Til Ke Ladoo and Peanut Chikki. With the Wipro Vesta Multicooker Kettle and Wipro Elato Mixer Grinder, festive cooking becomes effortless, so you can spend more time with loved ones. Light up the bonfire, enjoy these dishes, and make your Lohri unforgettable. Happy Lohri!