Happy Baisakhi 2020: 5 whole foods to the festival party

The beginning of summer brings a very special Baisakhi festival. Sikh and Hindu communities in Punjab and neighboring areas like Haryana and Delhi celebrate Baisakhi today on April 13. The day commemorates the beginning of the Punjabi New Year. Baisakhi is celebrated every year on the first day of ‘Baisakh’, which is the first month of the Hindu calendar, and the harvest time of Rabi’s crops (winter). The Punjab region is one of the dominant agricultural regions of our country, therefore the festival of crops and harvest has a special meaning in its culture. In fact, Baisakhi coincides with the ‘Vishu’ festivals held in Kerala and ‘Bohag Bihu’ held in Assam at the same time.

Punjabi are known to indulge in pompous celebrations, be they weddings or festivals. Baisakhi is celebrated with the same level of enthusiasm and enthusiasm. On this day, people dress in yellow and orange tones and also cook yellow foods.

These are some of the dishes commonly prepared during Baisakhi:

1. Kadhi

The traditional kadhi with besan pakodas dipped in a thick yogurt sauce is a delicious dish to accompany with rice. If you like your spicy kadhi, add a little spice to it.

See full recipe here

(Also read: Baisakhi Special: Dive into the Vibration, Fun and Food Festival)

^{Kadhi is a kissan and yogurt based curry.}

2. Meethe Peeley Chawal

Sweet rice is another delicacy prepared during Baisakhi. Rice is cooked with dried fruits and aromatic spices such as cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon. Sugar syrup is added to sweeten it and the saffron (kesar) illuminates it with a warm yellow tone.

See full recipe here

3. Kesar Phirni

This Punjabi festival cannot go without a variety of traditional desserts, and the kesar phirni is a must. Saffron is added to the rich preparation of milk and rice and a pinch of dried fruit makes it a delicious sweet dish.

See full recipe here

4. Mango Lassi

Lassi is the signature drink of Punjab. The curd-based drink is served in a salty or sweet form. But, on Baisakhi day, lassi is sweetened and colored with the special summer mango fruit.

See full recipe here

(Also read: Baisakhi 2016: Here’s Punjab on a Plate)

^{Mango lassi is a perfect summer drink to try this Baisakhi.}

5. Kada Prasad (Atta Halwa)

The religious ceremonies in Gurudwaras see kada prasad being done and served to all devotees. Kada prasad is made from wheat, which is crushed by hand and left slightly denser than is normally used.

See full recipe here

The Baisakhi feast is not limited to these foods. An expansive extension would include other dishes like choley bhature, puri aloo, chana masala, gudh ka hala, and more. If you know more interesting Punjabi dish recipes, please share them with us in the comment section below.