North Korea on Friday fired a suspected ballistic missile toward its eastern waters, South Korea's military said, as Pyongyang steps up its testing activity while talks with Washington and Seoul remain stalled. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missile flew cross-country after being
A Diwali Feast: Savory And Sweet Creations That Light Up The Table
A Diwali Feast: Savory And Sweet Creations That Light Up The Table
This festive season, chefs bring you a global-meets-local spread, modern, elegant, and rooted in Indian warmth. From plant-forward canapés to fusion desserts, these dishes redefine how you celebrate with flavor and flair.
Indian street-style chaat meets Mediterranean flair, balsamic vinegar from Italy adds tang to roasted sweet potatoes.
Ingredients:
Sweet potatoes, cumin, chaat masala, Aceto Balsamico di Modena PGI, tamarind pulp, jaggery, chili flakes.
Method:
Roast sweet potatoes till caramelized.
Simmer balsamic, tamarind, and jaggery into a glaze.
Assemble with onions, sundried tomatoes, sev, pomegranate, and a drizzle of the glaze.
An elegant Indo-Italian fusion dessert that brings together the richness of traditional rasmalai and the creamy sophistication of tiramisu.
1. Rasmalai Base
Ingredients
Fresh chenna – 300 g
Milk – 1 L
Sugar – 100 g
Saffron – a few strands
Cardamom – 3 pods, crushed
Pistachio slivers – 20 g
Method
Flatten the chenna into small discs and poach gently in light sugar syrup. Allow to cool.
In another pan, reduce milk with sugar, saffron, and cardamom until it reaches a thick, pourable rabri-like consistency.
Soak the chenna discs in this flavored milk for at least 2 hours to absorb the aroma and sweetness.
2. Mascarpone Cream
Ingredients
Mascarpone – 250 g
Whipped cream – 200 ml
Icing sugar – 40 g
Rose water – 2–3 drops
Method
Whisk mascarpone and icing sugar until smooth.
Gently fold in the whipped cream and rose water to create a light, airy mousse.
Chill until ready to assemble.
3. Coffee–Cardamom Soak
Ingredients
Instant coffee – 1 tbsp
Warm water – 150 ml
Sugar – 1 tbsp
Green cardamom – 1 pod, lightly crushed
Method
Dissolve coffee and sugar in warm water.
Add cardamom and infuse for 5 minutes. Strain and cool completely.
4. Assembly
Option A: Glass Jar / Verrine
Dip sponge fingers briefly in the coffee–cardamom soak and place a layer at the base.
Pipe a layer of mascarpone cream.
Add lightly squeezed rasmalai pieces.
Repeat the coffee-soaked sponge and cream layers.
Finish with a smooth mascarpone layer on top.
Option B: Plated Slice
Line a mould with cling film.
Layer soaked sponge, mascarpone cream, and rasmalai pieces alternately.
Refrigerate for 6–8 hours to set.
Unmould, slice neatly, and serve chilled.
5. Garnish & Finishing Touches
Dust with cocoa and pistachio powder for a fusion balance.
Pipe small quenelles of rabri on the side for richness.
Adorn with edible silver leaf (varq) for festive luxury.
Finish with micro-rose petals or saffron threads for visual elegance.
Chef's Note:
For an elevated twist, add a drizzle of rose syrup or pistachio praline before serving, this tiramisu celebrates both coffee and cardamom, sweetness and spice, East and West.
Traditional karanji gets a global twist with Belgian hazelnut and Irish almond chocolate.
Method:
Make saffron dough with Danish butter. Fill with coconut, almond flour, and chocolate blend. Fry or bake till golden.
Chef's Tip:
Drizzle with melted chocolate or dust with icing sugar before serving.
Shredded young jackfruit and walnuts meet bold shawarma spices in this earthy, wholesome wrap that's perfect for festive gatherings.
Ingredients:
Jackfruit (400g), walnuts (50g), olive oil (2 tbsp), onion, garlic, ginger, tomato paste, cumin, coriander, paprika, cinnamon, lemon juice, herbs, salt.
Wraps: Whole wheat or beetroot rotis / multigrain tortillas
Drizzle: Greek yogurt (100g), tahini (1 tbsp), lemon juice, garlic, salt & pepper.
Method:
Sauté onion and garlic, add spices, then toss in shredded jackfruit and walnuts with tomato paste. Cook 10–12 mins till crisp. Finish with lemon juice and herbs.
Mix yogurt-tahini drizzle until smooth.
Assemble rolls with filling, drizzle, and garnish with pickled onions, sesame, and pomegranate. Serve warm or room temperature.
Chef's Tips:
Grill the rolls lightly for a smoky flavor. Swap jackfruit for oyster mushrooms. Add mint chutney for an Indo-fusion twist.
Crispy paniyarams made with millets, served with a creamy avocado-coconut chutney — healthful yet indulgent.
Key Ingredients:
Millets (foxtail & barnyard), urad dal, poha, methi, onion, carrot, curry leaves.
Chutney: Avocado, grated coconut, green chilies, lemon juice, roasted chana dal.
Method:
Soak and ferment the batter overnight.
Temper with mustard seeds, curry leaves, chili, carrot, and onion.
Cook paniyarams in a greased mould till golden.
Blend chutney ingredients smooth; temper if desired. Serve warm.
Chef's Tips:
Add beetroot or spinach purée for color. Pair with mint chutney or tomato salsa for a fusion platter.
Classic shrikhand gets a floral lift with rose, lavender, and saffron, layered over almond praline crumble.
Key Ingredients:
Hung curd, powdered sugar, rose syrup, dried lavender, saffron, cardamom.
Crumble: Almonds, sugar, butter.
Method:
Whisk hung curd with rose, lavender, sugar, saffron, and cardamom.
Make almond praline and crush coarsely.
Layer crumble and shrikhand in verrines; chill for 2 hours. Garnish with rose petals and gold leaf.
Chef's Tips:
Swap lavender for jasmine. Add berry compote for contrast. Serve in shot glasses or martini cups.
Creamy cheesecake infused with rose petal preserve (gulkand) — a perfect East-meets-West indulgence.
Ingredients:
Base: Crushed biscuits, butter, honey.
Filling: Cream cheese, Greek yogurt, condensed milk, gulkand, cardamom, rose syrup, agar-agar.
Method:
Set biscuit base in moulds.
Whisk cheesecake mixture, blend in melted agar-agar, and pour over base.
Chill 3–4 hours. Garnish with pistachios, rose petals, and silver leaf.
Chef's Tips:
Use hung curd for a lighter version. Add saffron milk for a fusion twist.
Greek yogurt marbled with Austrian fruit spread and topped with berries, nuts, and rose petals, a frozen, refreshing finale.
Method:
Mix yogurt, honey, and vanilla. Spread on parchment, swirl jam, add berries and nuts. Freeze, then break into bark pieces. Serve chilled.
An Indo-Italian upgrade on the classic chakli, crisp, cheesy, and buttery.
Ingredients:
Rice flour, besan, Parmigiano Reggiano PDO, Danish butter, olive oil from Portugal, herbs, and spices.
Method:
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Knead into a soft dough, press into spirals, and fry till golden. Sprinkle extra cheese and pepper while warm.
From modern Indian canapés to floral desserts and European-inspired sweets, this Diwali spread celebrates craftsmanship, culture, and culinary creativity, proof that tradition tastes even better when reimagined.
Source: News18
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North Korea on Friday fired a suspected ballistic missile toward its eastern waters, South Korea's military said, as Pyongyang steps up its testing activity while talks with Washington and Seoul remain stalled. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missile flew cross-country after being
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