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In India, festivals have deep historical and religious significance in addition to being joyous celebrations. Along with celebrating this festival according to tradition, families have the chance to get together and eat delicious food. One such event is Holi, which is widely observed in India. Its preparation starts a week before its actual date.
Bihar, renowned for its diverse culinary traditions, offers a variety of festive dishes that add flavour and joy to the celebrations. Their Holi feast usually consists of savoury appetisers, comforting main courses, and delicious desserts. Here are some traditional Bihari dishes and essential tips you will need to prepare during your Holi party.
Pedukiya
Pedukiya, which is also referred to as pedakiya or gujiya, has a special place in the Bihari Holi celebration. The dish consists of dry fruit along with nuts, coconut, and khoya. These half-moon-shaped treats are made from dough made with all-purpose flour and deep-fried till lightly brown and crispy. For aroma, cardamom powder is added, and sugar or jaggery is used to sweeten the filling. They are soaked in sugar syrup, which gives them extra richness. It tastes even better when served with a drizzle of honey or a sprinkling of coconut.
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Dahi Vada
Dahi vada is a traditional dish known for its refreshing and cooling impact, and it frequently appears on the festive platter during Holi. The deep-fried lentil dumplings (vadas) are dipped in creamy yoghurt, sprinkled with flavourful spices, and accompanied by tangy tamarind chutney. To improve the flavour, sprinkle roasted cumin powder, red chilli powder, and black salt over the vadas before serving.
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Kathal Ki Sabzi
Many regions of Bihar celebrate Holi by serving Kathal ki sabzi, a delicious jackfruit-based curry, as a main course. Due to its meaty feel, it is frequently referred to as 'vegetarian meat'. To make this tasty curry, the jackfruit is cooked with onions, tomatoes, potatoes, and a variety of spices like cumin, turmeric, and garam masala. During Holi, it is served with malpuas and kachoris. Bihar residents enjoy making this dish, which is very rich and spicy.
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Shakarpara
Shakarpare are traditional bite-sized sweet snacks that are popular because they are crunchy and irresistible. It is also referred to as Tosha in some parts of northern India. To prepare them, all-purpose flour, ghee, and water are combined to make a stiff dough, which is then smoothed out and cut into tiny diamond shapes. Then, they are fried until lightly brown. The snacks get their distinctive crunch from the thick sugar syrup coating, which crystallises as they cool. These are desi biscuits that are eaten as chewing snacks in the evening.
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Kela Ka Pua
Ripe bananas are turned into rich, deep-fried sweet treats in this traditional dish. It has the perfect crispy outsides and soft, aromatic insides. To make this, prepare a batter by mashing ripe bananas with a mixture of cardamom powder, milk, sugar, and wheat flour. The,n a small amount of this batter is deep-fried till slightly brown. It is consumed as a snack or dessert and served with powdered sugar or a honey drizzle.
Bhaang Pakore & Laddu
In Bihari, the Holi celebration is incomplete without bhaang-infused treats. Bhang, which is made from cannabis leaves, has significant cultural significance and is used to heighten the joyful mood during the festival. To prepare bhang pakora simply combine crushed bhang leaves with gram flour; then season with chilli powder, cumin, and coriander. The mixture is then shaped into small fritters and deep-fried till crispy and golden.
On the other hand bhang laddu is made by rolling crushed bhang with dried fruits, nuts, and jaggery into tiny balls. These dishes should be consumed responsibly due to their intoxicating effects.
