Raksha Bandhan Special: 5 Modern Dishes Beyond Dahi-Bhalla and Pakodas

For this Raksha Bandhan, move beyond the usual dahi-bhalla and pakodas and impress your family and guests with these five modern, crowd-pleasing snacks. Each recipe is easy, delicious, and sure to win praise!

1. Cheese Paneer Pops

Ingredients:

• Grated paneer

• Boiled, mashed potatoes

• Finely chopped onions, capsicum, carrots, coriander

• Salt, red chili powder, chaat masala

• Cornflour, bread crumbs

Instructions:

• Mix paneer, potatoes, and veggies with spices. Shape into small balls, chill for 10–15 min.

• Prepare thin cornflour slurry. Dip each ball, coat in breadcrumbs.

• Deep fry on low flame until golden. Drain excess oil on tissue. Serve hot!

2. Veg Spring Rolls

Ingredients:

• Ginger, garlic, green chillies

• Chopped capsicum, onion, carrot, cabbage

• Boiled noodles, salt, pepper, red chili sauce, soya sauce, cornflour

Instructions:

• Stir-fry ginger, garlic, chillies and veggies; add seasonings and boiled noodles to make the filling.

• For wrappers, mix flour, cornflour, milk, water. Make thin crepes on hot pan.

• Add stuffing, roll tightly. Lightly pan-fry or deep fry as desired.

3. Crispy Aloo Paneer Cheese Balls

Ingredients:

• Boiled, mashed potatoes

• Flour, salt

• Grated paneer and cheese, chili flakes, oregano

Instructions:

• Mix potatoes and flour for outer layer.

• For filling, combine paneer, cheese, spices. Make small balls.

• Flatten potato paste, wrap around cheese ball. Deep fry until crisp.

• Serve with your favorite sauce.

4. Semolina Mini Uttapam Bites

Ingredients:

• Semolina (sooji), curd, salt

• Chopped capsicum, tomato, onion, veggies

Instructions:

• Mix curd and salt with semolina, let it rest 15–20 min.

• Add veggies and water (not too thin). Spoon small rounds onto a greased pan.

• Cook until both sides are golden. Serve with chutney.

5. Noodle Samosa

Ingredients:

• Boiled noodles, garlic, onion, capsicum, carrot, soya sauce, spices

• Refined flour, wheat flour, salt, oil, ajwain (carom seeds)

Instructions:

• Prepare vegetable noodles for filling.

• Knead dough with both flours, salt, oil, ajwain. Rest 20–30 min.

• Roll dough, cut in half, shape into a cone, fill with noodles.

• Seal edges with oil, deep fry until golden brown.