Planning homemade mithai this Diwali? Try this.

Ever wondered how sweet shops get those tiny, pearl-like boondi in motichoor ladoo?

I did too! I spent quite a while looking for the trick before finally figuring out the technique. And here’s something that makes a real difference: the boondi should be soft, not crispy. Fry it for too long and it won’t absorb the sugar syrup properly or hold its shape when you try to make the ladoos.

There’s more to getting that lovely, melt-in-the-mouth texture, from the special perforated ladle to the consistency of the sugar syrup.

I’ve shared the step-by-step pictures, video and all the little details in my recipe, so you can try making these sweet-shop favourites at home this Diwali.

​Get the Motichoor Ladoo Recipe →​

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A little planning goes a long way this Diwali.

Diwali cooking can be exciting, but it can also get a little overwhelming when you start making a long list of sweets and snacks!

Before you decide what to cook, here’s one thing I’d suggest: think about what you want your Diwali to look like.

Are you making treats to share with friends and family? Having guests over? Or do you just want a few homemade favourites for your own family?

Once you know that, planning becomes much easier. You don’t have to make everything, and you certainly don’t have to compete with anyone else’s Diwali spread.

A few simple planning tips can make all the difference.

1 . First, decide what you’re aiming for.

Are you making Diwali sweets and snacks to share with friends, family and neighbours? Are you hosting people? Or do you simply want a few homemade treats for your own family?

There is no right or wrong answer. Your menu should reflect what you actually want to do.

South Indian Mixture One of the popular Deepavali snack, repurposing Omapodi, Kara boondi. Read article

2. Don’t try to make everything.

Choose two or three things you really enjoy making. Perhaps one traditional sweet, one savoury snack and something easy to serve. You don’t need ten varieties to make Diwali special.

Bournvita Burfi This sweet is a simple yet decadent burfi with a twist on traditional Indian burfi method. Read article

3. Mix elaborate recipes with easy ones.

If you’re making adhirasam or ladoo, balance it with something simple like ribbon pakoda, mixture or a quick sweet. Not every item needs hours of preparation.

Ribbon Pakoda An easy snack which can be prepared in a jiffy for tea time or even perfect for Diwali festival snacks, especially preparing in bulk, gifting. Read article

4. Spread the work over a few days.

Make a small list of what can be prepared ahead. Some sweets and snacks keep well for several days. Do the shopping, measure ingredients and prepare what you can in advance.

Rava Ladoo This traditional homemade South Indian style sweet needs just a few basic ingredients and is a popular choice for Diwali and other festivals. Read article

5. Leave room for last-minute adjustments.

Something didn’t turn out as expected? Ran out of time? That’s okay. Buy a few things from your favourite sweet shop or skip an item. Nobody needs to know what was originally on your list!

Kaju Katli An easy, beginner friendly melt in mouth sweet, it uses only 3 ingredients Read article

6. Enjoy the festival too.

Don’t spend the entire day in the kitchen. The idea is to celebrate Diwali, not exhaust yourself preparing for it.

Happy cooking!

Raks

​https://rakskitchen.net/​