Republic Day 2023 Special: Pindi Chole & Sooji Halwa Recipe

India’s Republic Day is a national holiday celebrated on January 26th every year to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India. It’s a day to honor the democratic values of the country and remember the sacrifices made by the freedom fighters.

The main event takes place in the heart of the country, New Delhi, where a grand parade is held featuring colorful floats, cultural performances, and a display of military might. People across the country also participate in patriotic events and activities to celebrate the occasion. It’s a day filled with national pride and celebration!

Celebration Comes With A Special Dish

Since Republic Day is a national holiday, this means that almost the entire family gets to take out time from their busy lifestyle and thus people typically make traditional Indian dishes at home to celebrate the occasion. Some popular dishes that are often prepared include:

• Samosas: These are deep-fried or baked triangular pastries filled with a spicy mixture of vegetables or meat.
• Dhokla: This is a steamed snack made from fermented rice and chickpea batter, and it’s a popular dish from the western Indian state of Gujarat.
• Biryani: This is a flavorful rice dish made with meat or vegetables, spices, and yogurt.
• Pulao: A dish similar to Biryani made with rice and vegetables.
• Raita: A yogurt-based side dish that is often served with biryani or pulao to balance out the spices.

It’s worth noting that these dishes may vary depending on the region and personal preference. People in different parts of India have their own traditional dishes that they prepare on special occasions like Republic Day.

Let’s Cook A North Indian Comfort Meal!

It’s Republic day and to celebrate the occasion, let’s make something that is truly Indian at heart but is not your regular meal. We’ve selected the following meal and the best recipes to cook them so that you could enjoy this delicious North Indian comfort food while watching the beautiful tableaus of the Republic Day parade! 

Main Course: Pindi Chole & Puri

Dessert: Sooji Halwa

Pindi Chole

Pindi Chole is a popular dish from the northern Indian state of Punjab. The dish is made with a main ingredient of Chana (chickpeas) which are soaked overnight and then pressure cooked with spices, tomatoes, ginger, and garlic. Pindi Chole is known for its tangy and spicy flavor, and it is a popular street food in North India. It is also considered as a staple food in Punjabi cuisine and is often served as a main dish in Punjabi weddings, festivals and other celebrations.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of chickpeas (chana)
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 tomatoes, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons of ginger-garlic paste
• 2 tablespoons of coriander powder
• 1 tablespoon of cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon of red chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of amchur powder (dry mango powder)
• 1 teaspoon of garam masala powder
• Salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 2 green cardamoms
• 2 cloves
• 2 tablespoons of chopped coriander leaves

Instructions:

1. Soak the chickpeas for 2 to 3 hours in warm water. Drain the water and pressure cook the chickpeas with enough water, salt, and 1 teaspoon of baking soda for 3-4 whistles.
2. Heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds, bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, green cardamoms, and cloves.
3. Once the cumin seeds crackle, add the chopped onions and sauté until golden brown.
4. Add the ginger-garlic paste and sauté for a minute.
5. Add the chopped tomatoes and sauté until they turn mushy.
6. Add the coriander powder, cumin powder, red chili powder, turmeric powder, amchur powder, and garam masala powder. Mix well and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
7. Add the cooked chickpeas and mix well. Add enough water to make a thick gravy.
8. Bring the mixture to a boil and then simmer for 10-15 minutes.
9. Adjust the seasoning, add the chopped coriander leaves, and serve hot with fresh puris.

You can adjust the spices to your taste, and you can also add more water if you want a thinner gravy.

It’s also important to note that traditional Pindi chole recipe is cooked with tea bags which give the dish a unique smoky flavor. You can add 2-3 tea bags in the pressure cooker along with the chickpeas before cooking for this special flavor.

Sooji Halwa

Sooji Ka Halwa, also known as Rava Halwa or Semolina Pudding, is a traditional sweet dish from the Indian subcontinent. It is made by cooking semolina (sooji) in ghee (clarified butter) with milk, sugar, and various flavorings such as cardamom powder, saffron, and nuts such as almonds and cashews. The mixture is cooked until it becomes thick and creamy, and is often served as a dessert or sweet snack.

It’s a simple yet delicious dish that can be made in a short time and with easily available ingredients, making it a popular choice among busy home cooks.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of fine semolina (sooji)
• 3 cups of milk
• 1 cup of sugar
• 1/2 cup of ghee (clarified butter)
• 1/4 teaspoon of cardamom powder
• 2 tablespoons of chopped almonds and cashews
• A few saffron strands (optional)

Instructions:

1. Heat ghee in a pan and add the semolina. Roast the semolina on medium heat for 4-5 minutes until it turns golden brown and fragrant.
2. Add the milk, sugar, and cardamom powder to the pan and mix well. Bring the mixture to a boil.
3. Reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until it thickens. Keep stirring to prevent the mixture from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
4. Add the chopped nuts and saffron strands (if using) and stir well. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
5. Remove the pan from heat and transfer the halwa to a serving dish.
6. Garnish with additional nuts and saffron strands, if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.

You can adjust the sugar to your liking, and also add dry fruits of your choice, like raisins, pistachios, and charoli. You can also add a tablespoon of ghee to enhance the taste. Enjoy the delicious and sweet Sooji ka halwa!

As always, all the above mentioned ingredients can be easily ordered from our Milkbasket app and the entire order will be conveniently delivered to your doorstep by 7 AM, the very next morning. Thus you’re never stuck in cooking your favourite dish as we’ve got you covered with all the supplies you need to make that delicious recipe!

Happy Republic Day!

Jai Hind!