Dussehra in 30 Minutes: Simple Recipes for Busy Celebrators

Dussehra in 30 Minutes Simple Recipes for Busy Celebrators

Dussehra (Vijayadashami) is a festival of victory, joy, and, of course, delicious food. But in our busy, modern lives, spending hours in the kitchen isn't always feasible. The good news is that you don't have to compromise on the festive spirit or flavor. You can create a celebratory meal or a few key snacks in 30 minutes or less!

Here are three simple, quick, and traditional Indian recipes perfect for busy Dussehra celebrations.

1. Instant Coconut Laddu (3-Ingredient Sweet)

This is one of the quickest and most popular festive sweets you can make. It uses just three main ingredients and requires no specialized skill.

Time: 15 minutes

·         Prep: 5 minutes

·         Cook: 10 minutes

·         Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

·         2 cups desiccated (dry, unsweetened) coconut

·         1 cup condensed milk

·         1/4 tsp cardamom powder (elaichi)

·         1 tbsp ghee (for flavor and to prevent sticking)

·         Chopped almonds or pistachios (for garnish)

Instructions

1.    Roast (Optional but Recommended): Heat the ghee in a non-stick pan over a low-medium flame. Add the desiccated coconut and gently roast for about 3-5 minutes until it is lightly fragrant. Be careful not to let it brown.

2.    Mix: Pour in the condensed milk and cardamom powder. Stir the mixture continuously until it thickens and starts to come away from the sides of the pan (about 5-7 minutes).

3.    Roll: Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool slightly - just enough to handle.

4.    Shape & Garnish: Grease your palms lightly with ghee and roll the mixture into small, bite-sized balls (laddus). Press a piece of chopped nut onto the top of each laddu for a festive finish.

2. Vegetable Pulao (One-Pot Festive Meal)

A fragrant, spiced rice dish that serves as a beautiful, satisfying main course, all made in one pot.

Time: 30 minutes

·         Prep: 10 minutes

·         Cook: 20 minutes

·         Serves: 4

Ingredients

·         1 cup Basmati rice

·         2 tbsp ghee or oil

·         1 tsp cumin seeds (jeera)

·         2-3 whole cloves, 1 bay leaf, 1 small cinnamon stick

·         1 medium onion, thinly sliced (optional, can be skipped for no-onion recipe)

·         1 tsp ginger-garlic paste

·         1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, beans, peas, potato, paneer cubes)

·         1/2 tsp turmeric powder (haldi)

·         1 tsp garam masala

·         Salt to taste

·         1.5 cups water

·         Fresh coriander (for garnish)

Instructions

1.    Prep Rice: Wash and soak the Basmati rice for 15 minutes, then drain the water completely.

2.    Sauté Spices: Heat ghee in a deep, heavy-bottomed pan or pressure cooker. Add the cumin seeds, cloves, bay leaf, and cinnamon. Let them splutter for a minute.

3.    Add Veggies: Add sliced onion (if using) and sauté until light pink. Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté for a minute. Then, add all the mixed vegetables and sauté for 2-3 minutes.

4.    Cook Rice: Add the drained rice, turmeric powder, garam masala, and salt. Gently stir for a minute to coat the rice with the spices.

5.    Simmer: Pour in the water. Bring it to a boil, then cover the pan tightly (or close the pressure cooker lid). Reduce the heat to low and let it cook until all the water is absorbed and the rice is fluffy (about 15-20 minutes in a pan, or 1 whistle in a pressure cooker).

6.    Serve: Let the pulao rest for 5 minutes before gently fluffing it with a fork. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve hot with a side of simple yogurt raita.

3. Quick Paneer Bread Rolls (Crispy Savory Snack)

These crispy rolls are a festive hit - perfect as an appetizer or a savory snack, and they use common pantry ingredients.

Time: 25 minutes

·         Prep: 15 minutes

·         Cook: 10 minutes

·         Serves: 6

Ingredients

·         6 slices of sandwich bread (edges trimmed)

·         1 cup paneer, crumbled

·         1 small green chili, finely chopped

·         1/4 cup finely chopped coriander leaves

·         1/4 tsp cumin powder (jeera)

·         Salt and red chili powder to taste

·         Oil for shallow or deep frying

Instructions

1.    Make Filling: In a bowl, mix the crumbled paneer, chopped green chili, coriander leaves, cumin powder, salt, and red chili powder. Mix well.

2.    Shape Rolls: Take one slice of bread and lightly flatten it with a rolling pin.

3.    Fill & Seal: Place a spoonful of the paneer filling in the center of the flattened bread. Lightly wet the edges of the bread with a little water, then roll it up tightly into a cylinder or oval shape. Gently seal the edges. Ensure the roll is sealed well to prevent the filling from coming out while frying.

4.    Fry: Heat oil in a pan for shallow or deep frying. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the rolls in the pan (in batches) and fry until they are golden brown and crisp on all sides.

5.    Serve: Remove the rolls and place them on absorbent paper to drain excess oil. Serve hot with mint chutney or ketchup.

Happy Dussehra! With these quick recipes, you can savor the flavors of the festival without spending your entire day in the kitchen.

Share Your Thoughts In The Comments Below. If You Found This Helpful, Don’t Forget To Share It With Your Friends And Family!