Indian expats set for a big bang Diwali

Dubai - Getting rid of the old and bringing in the new is the mantra, encompassed by shopping, cooking, lights and rangolis

It's that time of the year again. Diwali is upon us. While South Indians celebrate "Deepavali" with murukku and legiyam, North Indians commemorate "Diwali" with chakli and gujiya.
Indian homes will flaunt their best lights, diyas and rangoli until some guest literally walks over your hard work and talent. The new 'abstract art' leads to more laughter. The rangoli is of utmost importance, owing to its symbolic welcoming of Goddess Lakshmi's first steps into the home - the age-old celebration draws its roots from an interesting belief that the goddess (representing wealth and prosperity) will grace homes on the auspicious day.
Getting rid of the old and bringing in the new is the mantra. Families join hands and work as a team days in advance to go on a Diwali cleaning spree. Shopping instantly becomes an integral part (read: ritual) of the festival as people stock up on sweets, flower petals, coloured rice and dry flour to decorate as well as cook up scrumptious treats. Regardless of staying in a 'home away from home' environment with shops that specialise in Diwali offerings, some families prepare sweets and savouries at home.
Stores that sell special Diwali items are generally crowded ahead of the festival. The city's prominent Indian designers exhibit extravagant, beautiful Diwali outfits. People throng shops to choose from a wide, colourful range of diyas, jewellery, clothes, candles, sweets, flowers, and wall or door hangings. Al Adil, Puranmal, Choithrams, Madhoor, Lulu Hypermarket, Bikanervala, and Kamat Shireen should tick all the boxes in your Diwali checklist.
"We mostly go to Bur Dubai for Diwali shopping, and we buy Lord Ganesh and Lakshmi idols, items for the puja, a thali, diyas, dry fruits, and the requirements for a rangoli. The Bur Dubai market is always very crowded during the festival," Dubai resident Manju Rathore says.
Run by a Bohri family, Bombay Sweets & Bakery in Al Nahda sports an unmissable spirit during Diwali. Days in advance, the restaurant shuts its usual catering service to specialise in sweets and cater to families that celebrate the festival.
"Family time, colourful rangolis, diyas, gorgeous dresses, and mouthwatering sweets are the things that sum up my Diwali. After cleaning and dusting every corner of the house, we decorate the doorstep. We tie the 'toran' (decorative door hanging) to the front door. It's made of marigold flowers and mango leaves. It is essential that diyas made of mud are lit at the entrance and in front of the tulsi plant in the house," shares another Dubai resident, Vidya Adivi, about her South-Indian household celebrations.
Dhanteras marks the beginning of this five-day-long festival that culminates in Diwali. It's an equally significant day when people buy items made of metal to 'do away with any negativity and bring in good luck'.
"We make our homes spick and span, and the delicacies cooked are a test of time. Family and friends can't wait to eat. Kids are ready and well-dressed, to show their sparkles are the best. Lanterns and candles glow at night, as we approach the festival of lights," shares resident Kavita Bhatt with her poetry. disha@khaleejtimes.com
DIWALI RECIPES
What's Diwali without a lot of sweets?
We learn how to make a Diwali Dessert Platter from Chef Shashwat Shivam, Jodhpur Royal Dining, Roda Al Murooj.

Phirni Brulee with Fresh Fruit and Mithai Petit Four
                 
Phirni
40g moong dal, soaked and ground   
20g khoya
30g ghee
30g sugar
1.  Heat ghee in a pan and add the dal.
2.  Sauté until brown and add khoya.
3. Make the sugar syrup (using equal quantities of water and sugar) and add to the dal mixture.
4. Grease a tray and transfer the mixture with the thickness of about 2mm.
5. Cool it at room temperature for about two hours to set.

Gulab Jamun
20g khoya                                           
10g paneer                                                                                                                     
 20g sugar
10g semolina
10g flour
50g ghee, for frying

1. Grate paneer and mash it with khoya until smooth.
2. Add flour and semolina and mix again.
3. Make sugar syrup.
4. Take the dough and roll it between the palms to make balls of the size of ½" diameter.
5. Heat the ghee and fry the balls in ghee until golden brown. Soak it in hot sugar syrup.

Kaju Burfi
40g cashew nut, soaked and ground   
20g sugar
1. Sauté cashew nut and sugar until it becomes thick and sticky.
2. Grease a tray and transfer the mixture to the tray. Allow it to for two hours at room temperature

Phirni
100ml milk
35g sugar
15g rice, soaked and ground
2 strands saffron

1. Boil the milk. Add ground rice to the milk with saffron and cook until the rice is cooked and fully dissolved with milk.
2. Add sugar and transfer the phirni in small ramekins of 30g each.
3. Allow it to set for about two hours.

Fruits for garnishing
Chop watermelon, dragon fruit and papaya into 1" cube each.

To serve:
1. For phirni brûlée, sprinkle sugar on top of the phirni and caramelise it with a blow torch.
2. Cut the pinni and kaju burfi into 1" cubes and place it on cubes of dragon fruit and watermelon respectively.
3. Cut the gulab jamun into half and place it on the cube of papaya.
4. On a platter, place a ramekin of brûlée with fresh fruit and mithai petit fours.?

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