10 Amazing Dussehra Recipes for This Festive Season – 2024

Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is one of the most significant festivals in India, celebrated with great enthusiasm across the country. It marks the victory of good over evil, a symbolic moment in Indian mythology where Lord Rama defeated the demon king Ravana, and Goddess Durga triumphed over Mahishasura. This day signifies the end of the nine-day Navratri festival and the beginning of a new season of joy, renewal, and hope.

Why Dussehra is Special?

Dussehra is more than just a religious festival. It’s a time for families to come together, exchange gifts, and enjoy time-honored recipes passed down through generations. Many people believe that eating certain dishes during Dussehra brings good fortune and happiness for the year ahead. Whether it’s offering sweets to the gods or preparing a grand meal for the family, food is at the heart of the festivities.

You can read more about these stories

1. Lord Rama’s Victory over Ravana – Click Here.
2. Goddess Durga’s Victory over Mahishasura – Click Here.

As you gear up for Dussehra this year, it’s the perfect time to explore traditional and new recipes that capture the essence of the festival.

Let’s dive into these 10 amazing Dussehra recipes that will not only elevate your festive spread but also help you connect with the deeper meaning of this joyous celebration.

1. Puran Poli
2. Sabudana Khichdi
3. Aloo Poori
4. Kheer
5. Paneer Tikka
6. Lauki Halwa
7. Besan Ladoo
8. Masala Chai
9. Moong Dal Halwa
10. Peda

1. Puran Poli

This traditional Maharashtrian sweet flatbread is made with a flavorful stuffing of chana dal and jaggery. Puran Poli is a must-have on festive occasions, and its rich, sweet filling makes it a delightful treat.

Puran Poli Ingredients:

• 1 cup chana dal (split Bengal gram)
• 1 cup jaggery (or sugar)
• 1 tsp cardamom powder
• 2 cups wheat flour
• 2 tbsp ghee
• Water as needed

Puran Poli Method:

1. Rinse and cook the chana dal until soft. Drain and mash it to a smooth consistency.
2. Heat a pan, add the mashed dal and jaggery. Cook until the mixture thickens and becomes a smooth paste. Stir in the cardamom powder and let it cool.
3. Make a soft dough using wheat flour, ghee, and water. Let it rest for 15 minutes.
4. Roll out the dough into small circles, place a spoonful of the dal mixture in the center, and fold the dough over to seal it.
5. Roll it out again and cook on a hot tawa (griddle) with ghee until golden on both sides.
6. Serve warm with more ghee.

2. Sabudana Khichdi

Sabudana Khichdi is a go-to fasting recipe during Dussehra. This light, non-spicy dish is made with tapioca pearls and peanuts, making it a perfect option for those observing fasts.

Sabudana Khichdi Ingredients:

• 1 cup sabudana (soaked overnight)
• 1/2 cup roasted peanuts (crushed)
• 1 medium-sized potato (cubed)
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 2 green chilies (chopped)
• Salt and lemon juice to taste
• Fresh coriander for garnish

Sabudana Khichdi Method:

1. Heat ghee in a pan, add cumin seeds, and let them splutter. Add green chilies and cubed potatoes. Cook until the potatoes are soft.
2. Add soaked sabudana and crushed peanuts. Stir well and cook for 4-5 minutes on low heat.
3. Season with salt and a squeeze of lemon juice. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve hot.

3. Aloo Poori

A comforting and hearty meal, Aloo Poori is a combination of spicy potato curry and puffed fried bread. It’s an essential dish for any Dussehra feast.

Aloo Poori Ingredients

For Aloo Sabzi:

• 4 medium potatoes (boiled and cubed)
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 2 tomatoes (chopped)
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 2 tsp coriander powder
• Salt and oil

For Pooris:

• 2 cups wheat flour
• 1 tsp salt
• Water for kneading
• Oil for frying

Aloo Poori Method:

1. In a pan, heat oil and add cumin seeds. Once they splutter, add onions and sauté until golden. Add tomatoes and cook until soft.
2. Add turmeric, coriander powder, garam masala, and salt. Stir in boiled potatoes and cook for 5-6 minutes, mashing a few pieces for thickness. Add water for gravy consistency and simmer.
3. To make pooris, knead the wheat flour with salt and water to form a soft dough. Roll out into small circles and deep fry in hot oil until they puff up.
4. Serve hot pooris with aloo sabzi.

4. Kheer

Kheer is the quintessential Indian dessert for festivals. Creamy, fragrant, and rich, it can be made with rice, vermicelli, or even sabudana for those observing fasts.

Kheer Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup basmati rice (or vermicelli)
• 1 liter milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
• 10-12 almonds and pistachios (chopped)
• Few saffron strands

Kheer Method:

1. Rinse the rice and soak for 30 minutes. In a heavy-bottomed pan, bring milk to a boil.
2. Add the soaked rice and cook on low heat until the rice is tender, stirring occasionally.
3. Add sugar, cardamom powder, saffron, and chopped nuts. Cook for another 10 minutes until the kheer thickens to your desired consistency.
4. Serve warm or chilled.

5. Paneer Tikka

Marinated in aromatic spices and yogurt, Paneer Tikka is a great way to add some flair to your Dussehra feast. It’s a crowd-pleaser and perfect for starters.

Paneer Tikka Ingredients:

• 250g paneer (cubed)
• 1/2 cup thick yogurt
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp chaat masala
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• Salt and oil
• Bell peppers and onions (optional)

Paneer Tikka Method:

1. In a bowl, mix yogurt, spices, ginger-garlic paste, salt, and oil. Add paneer cubes (and veggies) to the marinade and let it rest for 30 minutes.
2. Skewer the marinated paneer and grill on a hot tawa or oven until golden. Brush with ghee or butter for extra flavor.
3. Serve with mint chutney.

6. Lauki Halwa

For a light yet delicious dessert, Lauki Halwa is an excellent choice. Made with grated bottle gourd, this halwa is a great way to end your festive meal on a sweet note.

Lauki Halwa Ingredients:

• 2 cups grated lauki (bottle gourd)
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tbsp ghee
• 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
• 10-12 chopped nuts (almonds, cashews)

Lauki Halwa Method:

1. Heat ghee in a pan and sauté the grated lauki until it softens and its raw smell disappears.
2. Add milk and cook on low heat until the lauki absorbs the milk and thickens.
3. Stir in sugar and cardamom powder, cooking until the halwa reaches a thick, glossy consistency.
4. Garnish with chopped nuts and serve warm.

7. Besan Ladoo

These melt-in-the-mouth sweets are easy to prepare and are perfect for offering as prasad during Dussehra.

Besan Ladoo Ingredients:

• 2 cups besan (gram flour)
• 1 cup ghee
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
• Nuts for garnish

Besan Ladoo Method:

1. Heat ghee in a pan and roast the besan on low flame until it turns golden and releases a nutty aroma. Stir continuously to avoid burning.
2. Remove from heat and allow the besan to cool slightly. Mix in powdered sugar and cardamom powder.
3. Once the mixture is cool enough to handle, shape it into small ladoos and garnish with chopped nuts.

8. Masala Chai

A fragrant and spiced tea is a great way to relax after a day of Dussehra festivities. It pairs perfectly with sweets like ladoos and halwa.

Masala Chai Ingredients:

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tsp tea leaves
• 1 inch ginger (crushed)
• 2 cardamom pods (crushed)
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 cloves
• Sugar to taste

Masala Chai Method:

1. Bring water to a boil and add tea leaves, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.
2. Add milk and sugar, and let the tea boil for another 2 minutes.
3. Strain and serve hot.

9. Moong Dal Halwa

Rich and indulgent, this halwa made from moong dal is a classic North Indian dessert, perfect for Dussehra celebrations.

Moong Dal Halwa Ingredients:

• 1 cup yellow moong dal (soaked for 3-4 hours)
• 1 cup ghee
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
• Nuts and saffron for garnish

Moong Dal Halwa Method:

1. Drain and grind the soaked moong dal to a coarse paste.
2. Heat ghee in a pan and roast the moong dal paste on low heat until golden brown and fragrant.
3. Add milk and sugar, stirring continuously until the halwa thickens and ghee separates.
4. Garnish with saffron and chopped nuts.

10. Peda

Peda is a soft, sweet treat often made as prasad during Dussehra. The richness of khoya (reduced milk) and the fragrant cardamom make it a beloved festive sweet.

Peda Ingredients:

• 1 cup khoya (dried milk)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
• 2 tbsp ghee
• Saffron and nuts for garnish

Peda Method:

1. Heat ghee in a pan, add crumbled khoya and cook on low heat until it softens and becomes smooth.
2. Add sugar and cardamom powder, and stir well until the mixture thickens and leaves the sides of the pan.
3. Shape the mixture into small pedas and garnish with saffron and nuts.

Dussehra is more than just a festival—it’s a celebration of victory, tradition, and togetherness. Whether you’re preparing a feast for a large gathering or simply indulging in the joy of cooking, these 10 amazing Dussehra recipes bring a rich array of flavors and cultural heritage to your table. Each dish not only adds to the festive spirit but also carries the essence of Indian culinary traditions passed down through generations.

As you prepare these delicious treats, remember that festivals like Dussehra are all about sharing joy, building bonds, and creating memories with your loved ones. The simple act of cooking and sharing these dishes connects you to something deeper—a celebration of life’s victories, big and small.

You can also try our Special Navratri Recipe, Rasgulla, Apple Juice also to enhance your experience.

So, gather around the table, enjoy the flavors of the season, and make this Dussehra a memorable one. Whether it’s the sweet indulgence of Puran Poli or the savory warmth of Aloo Poori, let the food you prepare be a reflection of the joy and positivity that Dussehra brings.

May your Dussehra be filled with love, laughter, and the rich flavors of the season. Happy cooking and Happy celebrating! Recipe Rahasya

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