Ganesh Chaturthi Special Recipes by Chef Swapnadeep Mukherjee
Team L&M
Celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi with a delicious selection of festive recipes curated by Swapnadeep Mukherjee, Executive Chef, The Metropolitan Hotel & Spa. From the savoury flavours of Lakhnavi Dum Aloo to innovative Modaks, indulgent Choco-Khajoor Ladoos and traditional Badam Phirni, these recipes add a special touch to the festive celebrations.
Chaturthi Special Dum Aloo Lakhnavi
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Potatoes | 4–5 medium |
| Onion | 1 |
| Tomato | 1 |
| Ginger-garlic paste | 1 tsp |
| Oil | 2 tbsp |
| Salt | As per taste |
| Turmeric powder | ½ tsp |
| Red chilli powder | 1 tsp |
| Coriander powder | 1 tsp |
| Garam masala | ½ tsp |
Method
- Boil, peel and cut the potatoes.
- Lightly fry the potatoes until golden.
- Heat oil in a pan and sauté the onion. Add the ginger-garlic paste followed by the tomato.
- Add the spices and cook for 2–3 minutes.
- Add the potatoes and a little water. Cover and cook for 8–10 minutes.
- Add garam masala and coriander, and mix well.
- Serve hot with roti or paranthas.
Active Charcoal Modak
For the Modak
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Gram flour (besan) | 2 cups |
| Fine rava/semolina/suji | 2 tbsp |
| Active charcoal | ¼ tbsp |
| Water | 1½ cups |
| Oil | For frying |
For the Sugar Syrup
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Sugar | 1 cup |
| Water | ½ cup |
| Cardamom powder | ¼ cup |
| Lemon juice | ½ tsp |
| Cashews and chopped pistachios | 2 tbsp |
Method
- Add the prepared Modak mixture to the hot sugar syrup.
- Mix well and coat the mixture evenly with the sugar syrup.
- Continue cooking for 2–3 minutes, or until the sugar syrup thickens.
- Cover and keep aside for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, the sugar syrup should be completely absorbed.
- Add the cashews and pistachios and mix well until the mixture dries and all the syrup is absorbed.
- Take a small portion of the mixture and shape it into a Modak. Add a little milk, if required, to moisten the mixture and make it easier to shape.
- Garnish with coconut powder, as desired, to add a different texture.
- The Modaks are ready to serve. They can also be refrigerated for up to a week.
Choco-Khajoor Ladoo
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Dry-roasted peanuts | ½ cup |
| Dry-roasted sesame seeds | ½ cup |
| Dry khajoor (dates) | ½ cup |
| Dark chocolate, chopped | 1 cup |
| Fresh juicy dates, deseeded | 1 cup |
| Walnuts | ¼ cup |
| Chocolate chips | ½ cup |
| Raisins | ¼ cup |
| Honey | ¼ cup |
Chef Swapnadeep Mukherjee has used 81% cocoa dark chocolate for this recipe.
Method
- Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend well. The mixture should be sticky and easy to shape. If it appears too dry, add a little more honey.
- Take small portions of the mixture and shape them into lemon-sized balls.
- For an added crunchy bite, incorporate a few slices of fresh dates, along with walnuts and raisins, according to your preference.
- Leave the ladoos aside for about 30 minutes.
- Garnish with walnuts, chocolate chips and dry fruits of your choice.
- The Choco-Khajoor Ladoos are ready to enjoy.
- Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Badam Phirni
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Rice | 100 g |
| Milk | 200 g |
| Sugar | 20 g |
| Almonds | 0.5 g |
| Cardamom | 0.5 g |
| Varak | 1 no. |
Method
- Soak the rice in water for two hours. Drain and grind the rice into a smooth paste.
- Place a deep kadahi over medium heat and bring the milk to a boil.
- Add the rice paste and sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring regularly, until the mixture thickens.
- Add cardamom powder and almonds, and mix well.
- Garnish with varak before serving.
Enjoy these festive recipes with family and loved ones as you celebrate the spirit of Ganesh Chaturthi.
