Have any special Holi recipes you'd like to share with us? Simply write in to getahead@rediff.co.in (subject: 'Holi recipes') and we will publish the most interesting ones right here on rediff.com!

Meanwhile here are some recipes you can try out this weekend!

Here are recipes for Brown bread dahi vada, Thandai and Lauki burfi

Brown Bread Dahi Vada
 
Dahi vada is a traditional Indian snack prepared by soaking fried vadas in thick curd (dahi).

It is a must-cook on festive occasions especially Holi. Replacing the fried vadas with bread makes this mouth watering snack a healthy snack without comprimising on the taste.

Good for: Diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, hypertension, weight loss

Health Factor: Low cholesterol, high fibre, high calcium, high vitamins

Preparation time: 10 mins

Cooking time: 5 min

Ingredients (Makes 3 Servings)

• Brown bread, edges removed: 5 slices
• Milk: 4 tbsp
• Plain Curd (yogurt): 1 cup
• Black salt: 1/4 tsp
• Red chilli powder: 1/2 tsp
• Cumin (jeera) powder, roasted: 1/2 tsp
• Tamarind (imli) chutney: 1 tsp
• Coriander (dhania) for garnish
• Carrot for Garnish, grated: 1/4 cup
• Salt to taste

Instructions

• Whip the curd (to remove lumps) with little salt.
• Make dough out of the bread slices by adding milk to it. You can grease your hands with little oil to avoid the dough sticking to your hands.
• Make balls out of the bread dough. Place the balls in a serving bowl.
• Pour the beaten curd over the balls to cover them completely.
• Sprinkle cumin power, red chilli powder, black salt and tamarind chutney over it.
• Garnish with grated carrot and coriander leaves.

Have any special Holi recipes you'd like to share with us? Simply write in to getahead@rediff.co.in (subject: Holi recipes) and we will publish the most interesting ones right here on rediff.com!

Thandai

A cool and refreshing milk based drink that is traditionally made in India during the festival of Holi (festival of colors)

Good For: Healthy bones

Health Factor: High calcium, high protein, high vitamins, high minerals

Preparation Time: 10 min

Cooking Time: 10 min

Ingredients (Makes 6-7 Glasses)

• Milk: 1 litre
• Water: 2-3 cups
• Sugar: 1/2 cup
• Aniseed (saunf): 1/2 tbsp
• Almonds (badam): 1 tbsp
• Peppercorns (kali mirch): 10-12
• Cardamom (elaichi) powder: 1/2 tsp
• Watermelon seeds, dried: 1 tbsp
• Poppy seeds (khuskhus): 1/2 tbsp
• Fresh rose petals: 1/4 cup
• Saffron strands (kesar): a few

Preparation

• Boil the milk in a pan and allow it to cool.
• Soak aniseed, watermelon seeds, almonds, poppy seeds and rose petals in 2 cups of water. Keep aside.
• Grind all soaked ingredients to make a very fine paste.
• Pour remaining water into this paste and strain through muslin strainer extracting the liquid into a vessel.
• Add sugar, powdered cardamom, peppercorns, saffron to the extracted liquid. Mix well.
• Blend the above-made mix with milk.

Have you been avoiding sweets because you are conscious of your weight? This one is for you; try it.

Good for: Diabetes, Heart Disease, Hypertension, Weight Loss

Health Factor: Low on sugar and fat but high on fibre

Preparation time: 15 min

Cooking time: 20 min

Ingredients (makes 10 burfis)

• Lauki (bottle gourd) grated: 2 cups
• Milk: 1 litre
• Khoya: 1/2 cup
• Sugar / Sweetener: 1/2 cup
• Cardamom (elaichi) Powder: 1 tbsp
• Green colour: 1/4 tsp

Instructions

• In a pan, boil the milk.
• Add the grated lauki in boiling milk and stir.
• When half of the milk is left, add khoya, sugar with color and stir.
• When the froth starts leaving the side of the vessel, transfer the mixture in a pre-greased aluminium tray.
• Add cardamom powder and garnish with dry fruits. Set aside for an hour.
• Cut into pieces and serve.