Holi is a few days away. To celebrate this festival, families can gather together to prepare some festive and colorful meals. However one does not have to necessarily compromise on the health quotient by consuming large portions of sweetmeats and desserts. Instead, use the microwave and refrigerator to make a feast. Here are a few dishes that you may make at home with your family or your loved ones.

Recipe #1:

Beverage: Thandai

Duration: 1 hour

Serves: 8 to 9 glasses

Steps:

1. In a bowl, pour 1 cup of warm water and add 3 tablespoons almonds, preferably rinsed
2. Further add 2 heaped tablespoons pistachios (unsalted), preferably rinsed. Instead of pistachios, you can also use cashews
3. Add 14 cup melon seeds (magaz or kharbuja beej) or peeled pumpkin seeds (unsalted)
4. Add 2 tablespoons of dried rose petals.

Optional – If you do not have dried rose petals, then add 2 tablespoons of rose water or 2 tablespoons gulkand. If you plan to add gulkand, reduce the sugar to ⅓ cup in the recipe.

5. Finally, add 1 tablespoon of fennel seeds and ½ teaspoon of whole black pepper
6. Pour the entire mixture and the soaking water in a mixer and add ½ cup of sugar along with 3 to 4 green cardamoms seeds.
7. Grind the mixture to a very smooth and fine paste. Remove in a bowl and keep aside in the Voltas Beko refrigerator with StoreFresh™ technology. Make it a day prior and it will still be fresh for everyone to the consumer the next day!
8. Now add 4 tablespoons of the thandai paste in a glass (More or less, depending on your taste)
9. Add 1 cup of cold or chilled milk. You can also use a half-half combination of milk and water

Recipe #2:

Dish: Cauliflower Crust Pizza

Duration: 30 mins

Serves: 2 people

Steps:

1. Preheat the Voltas Beko microwave oven to 180^oC
2. Grind the Cauliflower food processor and place it in a large bowl afterward
3. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and microwave it for 1 minute until it is steamed.
4. Cool and pour Cauliflower on a clean cloth and squeeze the liquid out of the Cauliflower until you are left with a dry ball of Cauliflower
5. In a large bowl, combine the Cauliflower, eggs, cheeses, and seasoning with a spoon until fully combined
6. Pour the mixture into a pre-lined baking sheet and shape it into a pizza crust ½ inch thick
7. Bake for 10-12minutes
8. Add the pizza sauce and cheese and bake for another 10-12 minutes
9. Cool for 5 minutes before cutting

Recipe #3:

Dish: Black Bean Burger

Duration: 1 hour

Serves: 4-6 people

Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 180o C
2. Pre-line the oven tray add chopped onion, garlic, and pepper on the tray
3. Add seasoning as per taste and drizzle olive oil on the vegetables
4. Roast the vegetables for about 10-15 minutes in the oven
5. Once done, transfer the vegetables to a processor along with 100g roasted cashews and add boiled beans.
6. Pulse until beans are roughly chopped
7. Transfer the mixture to a bowl
8. Add thick yogurt and bread crumbs. Season with salt and pepper and stir gently
9. Form patties from the mixture
10. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large non-stick pan. Cook and flip until well browned
11. Lastly, add desired topping, cheese, and top/bottom buns. Close the burger serve, immediately!

Happy Holi!!