From Gujiya to Thandai, must-try dishes to celebrate the festival at home

Celebrate the colour of festivals with these scrumptious dishes, find recipes inside.

Holi, the festival of colours, is not just about vibrant hues and joyous celebrations—it’s also a time to indulge in delicious treats that bring family and friends together. Traditional sweets like gujiya, malpua, and thandai have always been a part of Holi festivities, but modern culinary innovations have given these classics a delightful twist. From fusion desserts like Banoffee Gujiya with Philadelphia Rabdi by The Ashok Hotel to unique beverages like Mocha Thandai, chefs and hotels are reimagining festive flavors. Whether it’s the rich and creamy Milk Lotus Delight by DoubleTree by Hilton or other inventive treats, these Holi-special recipes blend heritage with contemporary tastes. This year, celebrate Holi with an array of indulgent dishes that not only satisfy your sweet tooth but also add a touch of creativity to the festive spread.

Let’s explore some unique recipes that promise to make your Holi even more memorable!

BANOFFEE GUJIA WITH PHILADELPHIA RABDI

Celebrate Holi with a decadent twist—Banoffee Gujiya with Philadelphia Rabdi, a signature creation by The Ashok Hotel. Crispy gujiyas filled with a rich banana-toffee mix pair perfectly with the creamy Philadelphia Rabdi, adding a modern touch to this festive classic!

Ingredients:

For the Gujia Pastry:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ghee
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup lukewarm water

For the Banoffee Filling:

• 1 cup mashed bananas
• 1/2 cup caramel sauce
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts

For the Philadelphia Rabdi:

• 1 cup Philadelphia cream cheese
• 1/2 cup condensed milk
• 1 teaspoon cardamom powder
• 1/4 teaspoon saffron threads, soaked in 1 tablespoon hot Milk

1. Make the Gujia Pastry: Combine flour, ghee, and salt in a bowl. Gradually add lukewarm water to form smooth dough. Knead for 5 minutes. Cover and rest for 30 minutes.
2. Prepare the Banoffee Filling: Mix mashed bananas, caramel sauce, chopped and walnuts. in a bowl.
3. Assemble the Gujia: Divide the dough into small balls. Roll out each ball into a thin circle. Place a tablespoon of the Banoffee filling in the center. Fold the dough over the filling to form a half-moon shape. Seal the edges.
4. Make the Philadelphia Rabdi: Beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add condensed milk, cardamom powder, and saffron. Mix until well combined
5. .Serve: Deep-fry the Gujia until golden brown. Drain excess oil. Serve warm with a dollop of Philadelphia Rabdi.

MOCHA THANDAI

This Holi, experience a bold fusion of flavors with Mocha Thandai, a special creation by The Ashok Hotel. Blending traditional thandai spices with rich coffee and chocolate notes, this refreshing drink adds a modern twist to the festive classic, making it a must-try for celebrations!

Ingredients:

•  2 cups milk
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup rose syrup
• 1/4 cup honey/sugar
• 1/4 cup chopped pistachios
• 1/4 cup chopped almonds
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup vanilla ice cream (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a blender, combine milk, water, rose syrup, honey, pistachios, almonds, cinnamon, cardamom, black pepper, and salt. Blend until smooth.
2. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl. Discard the solids.
3. Chill the Thandai mixture in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
4. Just before serving, stir in the vanilla ice cream (if using).
5. Pour the Thandai into the glasses.

Mocha Thandai: Add 1-2 tablespoons of instant coffee powder or espresso to the mixture for a caffeinated twist.

MILK LOTUS DELIGHT

This Holi, elevate your celebrations with Milk Lotus Delight, a rich and creamy dessert infused with the nutty sweetness of Lotus Biscoff. Crafted by DoubleTree by Hilton, this indulgent treat perfectly blends tradition with modern flavors, making it a must-have for your festive spread!

QTY       UNIT      INGREDIENTS

02          liter         Full cream milk

50          Gms       Yogurt

400        Gms       Castor sugar

05          Gms       Cardamom Powder

METHODS OF PREPARATION:

• Boil 2-liter full cream milk in a thick bottomed pan, stir occasionally.
• Add 50 gram of yogurt, mix well till the milk curdles
• Drain off the water from curdled milk using muslin cloth.
• Rinse the curdle milk with cold water, making sure the curdle milk remains soft and squeeze and drain off the water
• Hang the cloth along with curdled milk for 30 minutes. do not hang for more time, as they lose moisture completely
• In a tray mash the curdled milk to a smooth and soft texture.
• Add castor sugar and mix, cook the mixture at low flame for 5min in a shallow pan
• .Add cardamom powder and allow the mixture to cool down
• Shape the mixture into small dumpling and make a dent in center.
• Garnish sandesh into a lotus shape with dry nut and serve.

  While traditional sweets remain close to our hearts, innovative recipes add excitement to festive feasts. Whether it’s a classic gujiya with a modern twist or a refreshing thandai infused with mocha flavors, these unique creations bring a delightful surprise to the table. As you celebrate with loved ones, let these special recipes enhance the joy of the festival, making Holi a truly unforgettable experience filled with flavors, fun, and festivity!