Holi, the festival of colors is one of the most significant occasions of the year for Indians worldwide. And the best way to celebrate it is with amazing Indian flavors that make the festival special. So let’s appreciate all the spices that bring those flavors to life by learning more about them!
Holi is one of the three major Indian festivals. It’s widely celebrated by every Indian all across the world. The celebrations are often glorious and filled with vibrant colors and delicious food.
Like every other festival, even Holi has a few special delicacies that are savored during this time. What makes the delicacies so special is the unique combinations of flavors used in them. The best way you can add more flavor to any mouth-watering dish is by adding Indian spices to it.
We’re sure you would love to learn these spices, and we would like to tell you about them. But since it’s the color festival, let’s add a twist to this article. Let’s categorize the Indian spices based on their color and talk about the special dishes you can make with them!
Green
Green Cardamom: It is the third most expensive spice in the world. The aroma and warmth of this amazing spice, along with its bittersweet flavor, make it a great ingredient to have in your kitchen. Here are some great dishes you can make with Green Cardamom this Holi: Kheer, Sesame Ladoo, Gulab Jamun, Mattar Paneer, Vegetable Biryani, and Gujiya!
Fenugreek Leaves: The earthy goodness of Fenugreek Leaves can add a lot of depth in flavor in any delicacy. It is also quite aromatic and can be roasted further to enhance its flavor. Some of the best delicacies you can make with Fenugreek Leaves during Holi are Chole, Paneer Tikka Masala, Vegetable Makhani, Methi Thepla, and many more!
Yellow
Turmeric Powder: Turmeric Powder is one spice that you will always find in an Indian household. It has a warm and earthy aroma and pungent flavor. So make sure you use it in moderation. It also has many health benefits so adding it to your daily diet is always recommended. Here are some dishes that have Turmeric Powder in the recipe: Dal Fry, Batata Vada, Jalebi, and Kadhi Pakora.
Ginger Powder: Sonth or Ginger Powder is an aromatic and warm spice powder. It’s sweet, peppery, floral, and has a little citrusy taste. It’s used in some of the most traditional Holi recipes like Raj Kachori, Pineapple Sheera, Masala Paratha, and Kairi Panna. You can also make some unique recipes with it like Kanchipuram Idli, Raw Banana Kebabs, Gingerbread Cookies, and many more.
Red
Chilli Powder: Just like Turmeric Powder, Chilli Powder is also a spice that Is commonly found in most Indian households. It adds some spicy heat to dishes and is used in almost all savory Indian recipes. Some delicious dishes that you can make with Chilli Powder for the festival of colors are Kothimbir Vadi, Sarso Da Saag, Paneer Roll, Pav Bhaji, Jeera Aloo, and Hara Bhara Kabab.
Curry Powder: Curry Powder is a blend of spices that add some lip-smacking flavor to your dishes. It contains coriander seeds, garlic powder, fenugreek seeds, and other Indian spices. It comes in two varieties, Hot and Mild. Some Indian recipes you can make using Curry Powder this festival of colors are Samosas, Cauliflower Curry, Mixed Vegetable Curry, Roasted Cauliflower Bites, Baigan Bharta, and more.
Brown
Garam Masala Powder: Garam Masala is the life of an Indian kitchen that makes a lot of delicious Indian delicacies. Whether you’re making a snack, an appetizer, or an entrée, Garam Masala Powder is a must-have for Indian dishes! Here are some great options that you can prepare for the festival of colors: Dal Fry, Palak Paneer, Moong Dal Kachori, Vegetable Korma, Kadai Paneer, and Tawa Paneer.
Cumin Powder: This is a nutty-flavored powder that can add some warmth to the dishes. It’s one of the most commonly used spices by Indians. Its flavor profile complements savory, spicy, or rich dishes. This Holi, you can try some of the following dishes that need Cumin Powder: Pani Puri, Dahi Vada, Khasta Kachori Chaat, Rajma, Mixed Vegetable Paratha, and Panchratni Dal.
Black
Cloves: Clove is a warm and aromatic spice commonly used in Indian households. Its subtle sweet and spicy flavor adds another dimension to savory dishes and also makes it a great spice to add to any dish. You can add Cloves to some of your favorite recipes like Mattar Paneer, Paneer Butter Masala, Chana Masala, and many more!
Black Pepper: It is one of the most commonly used spices globally. It has a sharp, spicy flavor that you can add to any savory dish. You can use it as Kernels or as Powder. You can make some amazing recipes using Black Pepper for the festival of colors like Dum Paneer, Vegetable Biryani, Paneer Tikka, and more!
The Colorful Conclusion
The color of spice may not be relevant when you’re cooking, but it sure adds the spirit of the festival of colors in the kitchen. So make sure your Holi celebration is filled with many colorful delicacies that please everyone’s tastebuds. And if you want to learn more some facts about Holi dishes or need more recipe ideas, then check out our blogs Fun Facts About Holi Foods and Holi Special Dishes That You Cannot Miss, respectively.
If you want to buy organic Indian spices, then look no further than your local grocery stores. Dwaraka Organic has a variety of organic whole spices, spice powders, and spice blends that you can use in your everyday cooking. And we are widely available in Indian grocery stores all across the USA. So add more authentic Indian flavor to your Holi celebrations and have a blast this festive season!
