We hope Diwali has filled your home with happiness and light. The Festival sure comes with loads of sweetness and gifts of dry fruit boxes from your loved ones. With so much in stock, we have compiled some interesting ideas and recipes, you can use to make upcoming winters more delicious and nutritious. Even if you don’t have some ingredients, you can easily buy Indian grocery online and start indulging the chef in you.

1. Dry fruit laddoos
   
   
   

These are a staple winter recipe in many Indian homes. A healthy snack and a tasty after meal sweet, these laddoos are full of nature’s goodness.

Ingredients:

(makes 10-12 laddoos)

• 1 small bowl or 8-10 deseeded dates
• 4-5 chopped dry figs
• 3 tablespoons almonds
• 2 tablespoons pistachios
• 2 tablespoons cashews
• Half bowl raisins
• 1 tablespoon Desiccated coconut (optional)

Instructions:

• Roast the almonds, pistachios and cashews on a low to medium flame for 2-3 mins. Keep stirring at intervals to avoid burning.
• You can choose to either chop them once they cool down. Or coarsely grind them in a mixer. You can also adjust the quantities of dry fruits according to your preference.
• Next, chop the dates, raisins and figs in a grinder and then mix well with the chopped/ground dry fruits & coconut in a bowl.
• Now make the laddoos as small balls with your hands greased with ghee. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

2. Masala for Milk
   
   
   

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup Cashews
• ½ cup Almonds
• 1/3 cup Pistachios
• ¼ cup Melon seeds
• 8-10 Cardamoms (peeled to use only seeds)
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg powder
• ¼ teaspoon saffron
• 1 tablespoon dry rose petals (optional)

Instructions:

• Dry roast all the dry fruits and melon seeds on low-medium flame, stirring regularly to roast evenly for 3-4 mins. Do not burn.
• Spread them on a paper or a large plate to cool.
• Once cool, put the dry fruits with all other ingredients in a grinder. Grind to a coarse mixture.
• Do not over grind to a fine mixture or dry fruits will release oil.
• Fill in an airtight bottle or container and store in refrigerator.
• You can add two teaspoons of this masala to a glass of warm milk with sugar (optional) and enjoy every day.

3. Almond Barfi
   
   
   

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup Almonds
• 1 Cup Milk
• 2/3 Cup Sugar
• 1 Tablespoon Ghee
• 2 pieces of Silver leaf (optional)
• ½ cup water for syrup

Instructions:

• Soak the almonds overnight in water. Peel them in the morning and discard the peels. Allow to dry.
• Roast for 2 mins on low-medium flame to remove moisture content.
• Grind the almonds to a coarse powder. Overgrinding will cause oil release.
• In a pan, make a syrup by dissolving sugar in the ½ cup water. Keep stirring till it gets 1 string consistency.
• Now add the almond powder to it and stir continuously till combined and mixture leaves the sides of the pan.
• Add ghee. Mix well and turn off the flame.
• Grease a plate with ghee and spread the mixture evenly with ½ inch thickness, garnish with some chopped almonds or silver leaf.
• Allow to cool completely. Cut into square shapes and serve.

Apart from above recipes, you can go the baking way and make a nice dry fruit cake or fig & date pie. Dry fruit kheer and cashew-paste based chicken curry are some options for cooking a traditional feast. These days all Indian grocery is available online and delivered across Europe. So, wear your chef’s hat and share your cooking experiences with us in the comments below.