2020, what can we say? It’s been a roller coaster of a year. As we approach November, who knew sayings like “keep 6 feet apart and don’t worry, I have an extra mask” would be incorporated into our children’s vernacular? This year has put a damper on all things celebratory. Every year around this time, we would get together to celebrate Diwali with our families and friends.
Diwali is the Festival of Lights that is commonly celebrated in many South Asian countries by lighting lamps, decorating the house in bright colors, and feasting on lavish dishes. Diwali celebrates positivity and light defeating evil. According to the SCFI’s website, DiwaliFestival.org the darkness represents ignorance, and light is a metaphor for knowledge (hence, lighting a lamp symbolizes destruction through knowledge of all negative forces).
Our family has decided to light a few extra lamps this year. Even though we can’t celebrate how we did in previous years, here are a few ways our family plans on keeping Diwali traditions alive:
Order yourself a lavish feast from Punjabi Tandoor…
Their food is mouthwatering, and the best part is they can modify spice levels of the curries for both children & adults.
The children’s favorite is Paneer Tikka Masala. It is pieces of homemade cottage cheese cooked in a clay oven and blended in their signature sauce
The adult favorite is hands down their Baingan Bharta. It is a roasted eggplant sautéed with a mixture of herbs, tomatoes, and onions
We always order their Garlic Naan, a leavened bread with garlic, and the Gobi Paratha, it is a flatbread stuffed with seasoned cauliflower (the kids won’t even know they are eating veggies).
***Delivery is available thru most major services (please check their website https://www.punjabitandoor.com/onlinemenu for up to date information)
Order Diwali art activities & desserts from SoCal Creative Kitchen & Co.
A fun activity for the kids is their rangoli cookies set. Their blank canvas sugar cookies feature rangoli for kids to paint with sugar paint and then enjoy. Rangoli is an Indian art that brings strength and luck.
Their modern twists on classic Indian desserts are our favorite to send loved ones. The box of their indo-fusion chocolates is one of their most popular treats.
You can order directly from their website: https://www.socalcreativekitchen.com
Another great activity to do with the kids is to cook new foods. It is a great way to introduce new flavor profiles to the children. Here are two simple recipes that we love to make
Saffron Milk Recipe (serves 4)
Saffron infused milk is an easy recipe that Sonya & Hira love helping out with.
Ingredients
- 4 cups of preferred milk
- *** note if you are using low-fat dairy milk, or oat-based milk, we suggest adding 4 tablespoons of cream
- ½ heaping teaspoon of high-quality saffron
- 2.5 teaspoons of sugar (or sweetener of choice)
Steps
- In a large pot, add the milk and sugar
- Let the milk warm on medium heat for 5 minutes (keep stirring to ensure milk does not burn)
- Once the milk warms up add the saffron and turn the flame off and let saffron steep for 10 minutes
- Stir in cream
- Strain the milk into 4 cups and enjoy (this can be enjoyed warm, or over ice)
Masala Hash Browns (serves 7)
These are a quick and easy breakfast item that brings the comfort of hash browns with an Indian twist.
Ingredients
- 20 oz bag of shredded potatoes
- 3 tablespoons of oil
- ½ onion finely minced
- 2 cloves of garlic finely minced
- 1/2 tablespoon garam masala
- Salt to Taste
- Pepper to Taste
- In a skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of oil on medium heat.
- Sauté the garlic and onions until the onions become translucent
- Add the garam masala and stir until fragrant
- Add one more tablespoon of oil and cook hash browns 6 -7 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
- Season with salt and pepper
Article Written by Awesome Mama:
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