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India is a land of festivals which are celebrated in different ways. But no matter what kind of a festival and which part of the country it is celebrated in, food is one of the main components of the celebration. Festivals mean families coming together, being with each other and eating together.
I have fond memories from my childhood of how we would celebrate Raksha Bandhan with special dishes being cooked, planning for which would begin weeks in advance. We would all look forward to spending the day with the extended family, gorging on our favourite foods.
With Raksha Bandhan around the corner, all of us are trying to figure out the food and the menus. So here we are with some options to help you prepare in advance so you can enjoy the day.
Since many people fast till the rakhi is tied, they all look forward to lunch. The menu, therefore, has to be exciting enough to attract everyone. It’s a celebration, and even if you don’t want it to be very elaborate, the lunch has to include some mouth-watering dishes.
To make life easier for the hostess, the menu could include some dishes which could be fully or partly cooked in advance so that she is not running here and there like a headless chicken while the others are having a good time.
A Few Tips
1. Though we have all moved towards other cuisines, I feel it is best to stick to traditional Indian vegetarian dishes on festival days; believe me; there is a lot to choose from!!
2. When you plan the menu, remember that family means people of all ages and tastes, so plan the menu accordingly.
3. Include a few items that can be made a day before, if not fully, at least partially.
4. The menu you plan should be balanced: having a curry, a dry dish, some bread and rice( the specifics, of course, can be worked out).
5. If you wish to serve a snack, keep it limited in quantity. You don’t want people to stuff themselves up with the snack and not have an appetite for lunch. I always serve only one item, which is like some Indian street food.
6. The dessert should normally be cold as the weather during this time is generally hot and humid. So after a rather heavy lunch, the dessert should be refreshing.
7. Since the meal is heavy, you could go easy on salads and keep them simple and basic.
Raksha Bandhan Dishes
Menu 1
Main Dish – Rasse wale aloo
Starter – Chaat Papdi
Side Dish – Corn paneer
Bread – Ajwaini puri
Rice – Corn and jeera pulao
Raita – Cucumber, grated or diced
Salad – Thinly sliced onions with lemon and chaat masala/ sirke wale pyaaz
Chutney – Green chutney and saunth
Dessert – Phirni
Menu 2
Starter – Palak patta chaat
Main Dish – Pindi chane
Side Dish – Matar paneer
Bread – Bhatura
Rice – Jeera rice
Raita – Boondi
Salad – Sliced onion with chaat masala
Chutney – Green chutney and saunth
Dessert – Kheer
Menu 3
Starter – Aloo Tikki
Main Dish – Kadhi
Side Dish – Sookhe aloo
Bread – Missi roti
Rice – Plain rice
Raita – Onion and tomato
Salad – Sliced onion with lemon and chaat masala
Chutney – Green chutney and saunth
Dessert – Halwa
Menu 4
Starter – Raam Ladoo
Main Dish – Veg biryani
Side Dish – Stuffed bhindi
Bread – Tandoori roti
Raita – Pudina
Salad – Tomato & Cucumber
Chutney – Green chutney and saunth
Dessert – Ras malai
Menu 5
Starter – Dahi Bhalla
Main Dish – Rajma
Side Dish – Kadhai paneer
Bread – Garlic naan
Rice – Plain rice
Raita – Pineapple / plain curd
Salad – Tomato, cucumber and onion
Chutney – Green chutney and saunth
Dessert – Seviyan kheer
Menu 6
Starter – Aloo chaat
Main Dish – Dal Makhani
Side Dish – Kadhai Paneer
Bread – Plain naan
Rice – Jeera Rice
Raita – Onion, tomato
Salad – Sirke wale pyaaz/ sliced onions and cucumber with chaat masala
Chutney – Green chutney & Saunth
Dessert– Kulfi
And along with all these dishes, you could get some special Raksha Bandhan mithai to be served when the rakhi is tied.
Also Read: How and When is Raksha Bandhan Celebrated?
So there you go! Choose from any of the above or make your own menu and have a Happy Raksha Bandhan!!
What do you think?