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As the cool winter winds recede, so too harvest festivals announce their arrival across different regions of the Indian subcontinent. In Punjab’s agriculturally rich farmlands and other northern Indian agrarian regions, these celebrations manifest in the form of Lohri, a festival that marks warmth, togetherness and community spirit.
Folk songs with lyrical notes, bonfires and seasonal food are staples during Lohri festivities in these regions, as they herald the coming of longer, warmer days after the harsh winter weather.
Celebrate Seasonality
First things first, Lohri is all about revelling in seasonally available produce. In winters, jaggery and sesame abound culinary spaces so Lohri is a festival characterised by the preparation of sweet treats like the til-gur ladoo or barfi which provide warmth and nourishment in cold weather. Plan sweet treats for your Lohri feast which incorporate these ingredients and introduce twists into them in the form of nutty infusions like hazelnuts or pistachios and dark chocolate additions. Anchor the entire feast around winter staples found in northern India such as the sarson or green mustard which is turned into saag and the makki ki roti or the cornmeal flatbread to maintain the authenticity of the celebrations.
Balance Dense And Light Dishes
Curate a festive feast that provides a good culinary flavour balance. Lohri does feature some hearty dishes, yet combining them with lighter delicacies will most definitely bring a layered appeal onto the dinner plate. With mains like sarson ka saag and rajma chawal, be sure to have a side of chilled kachumber salad at the ready, along with fresh curd and masala chaas or buttermilk flavoured with cumin powder, green chillies and coriander. This will ensure that the meal remains comforting without becoming overwhelming for the palate.
Lohri Snack And Sweet Station
Turn one corner of your drawing room or hosting space into a rustic corner adorned with corn husks and wheat stalks. Here, stage a stall which features traditional snacks like rewri, roasted peanuts and til-gur ladoos.
Also set out some sweet treats with contemporary twists like sesame and peanut brittle or chikki shards so guests can munch on these offerings as they mingle and socialise. Adorn the space with handwritten notes bearing informative tidbits about Lohri and the food culture around it so guests can really immerse themselves in the season’s festivities.
Curate Warm Drinks
Although Lohri ushers in warmer climes, it is still quite chilly when this festival comes calling. The best drink alternatives for hosting a Lohri dinner at home are those which provide warmth and comfort in this weather. Think jaggery-sweetened milk, masala chai, spiced water or herbal tea as alternatives which build into the festive spirit while pairing exceedingly well with the sweet treats prepared exclusively for the festival.
A Traditional Sweet Finish
At a Lohri meal comprising seasonal mains, warm rice and freshly made flatbreads, what would serve as the most luxe and sumptuous finish is traditional desserts like kheer which leave the guests feeling nourished and content. A sweet treat corner is definitely an excellent option to have while hosting a bonfire. But when guests find themselves seated at the dinner table for the actual Lohri meal, serve them warm kheer or jaggery-based barfis that would lend the whole dinner a distinctly festive, warm and generous appeal.
