Celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi is about devotion, celebrations, and delectable feasts comprising traditional sweets and snacks. While classic treats hold a special place in our hearts, adding a modern twist can bring excitement to your festive spread. Here’s a list of innovative sweets and snacks for your festive spread during this holy festival, blending in the pulse of tradition with modern flair.
Chocolate Modak with Lotte Choco Pie Surprise
Traditional Inspiration: Modak
The Modern Twist: Chocolate Filling with a Lotte Choco Pie Centre The favourite modak, described as Lord Ganesha’s favourite sweetener, becomes truly irresistible with the surprise element of Choco Pie. Just think about it: you take a mouthful of the conventionally made modak and find that the Choco Pie inside is gooey and chocolaty. Soft on the outside, rice flour forms the outer shell that gives way to rich and velvety chocolate filling, while the Choco Pie centre adds an inviting crunch and marshmallow sweetness.
Quinoa Paniyaram
Traditional Inspiration: Paniyaram – South Indian Rice Dumplings
Quinoa and Millet Batter
Paniyaram, generally made using rice batter, gets a healthy makeover with quinoa and millet. These nutty, nutrient-rich grains bring a healthy ring to the dish. Serve these dumplings, crispy outside and soft inside, with a modern chutney like avocado or roasted beetroot.
Saffron and Almond Energy Bites
Traditional Inspiration: Badam Halwa
Modern Twist: No-Bake Energy Bites
Give the badam halwa a healthy makeover with these no-bake energy bites. Blend almonds, dates, a pinch of saffron, and honey to make these wholesome treats. Add some crunch and flavour with crushed pistachios or coconut to indulge in the ultimate halwa without feeling full.
Avocado and Peas Kachori
Traditional Inspiration: Kachori
Modern Twist: Avocado and Green Peas Filling
Kachoris stuffed with spiced lentils or potatoes can get a fresh remake with the creamy filling of mashed avocado and peas, flavoured with spices such as cumin and coriander. Its lightness will offset the heaviness of the fried kachori.
Masala Chia Pudding
Traditional Inspiration: Sabudana Kheer
Modern Twist: Chia Seeds
This is a healthy makeover of the traditional fast-food dessert sabudana kheer, where chia seeds replace sabudana. The chia seeds will be soaked in coconut milk to form a pudding-like consistency, while adding cardamom, saffron, and jaggery retains classic Flavors with an added health benefit. Top with nuts roasted in a skillet to complete.
Inputs from Ms Rachna Anbumani, Head of Marketing, Lotte India
