Traditional Delight, Must-Try Bhai Dooj Recipe To Make Celebrations Unforgettable

Bhai Dooj is celebrated every year just two days after the vibrant Diwali festivities. On this day, siblings come together to honour their bond by participating in rituals where sisters perform an aarti for their brothers and apply a tilak to their foreheads, symbolizing wishes for their long life and prosperity. Alongside this ritual, a festive meal is shared, bringing the family together to enjoy dishes specially prepared for the occasion, followed by the exchange of gifts and other family activities.

Now, let’s focus on preparing a popular Bhai Dooj snack! This sibling day, indulge in making a traditional treat called Bhaji, a savoury vegetable fritters that are a beloved snack during the celebrations. 

Here’s a simple recipe to make delicious Bhaji for your Bhai Dooj feast.

Ingredients

For the Bhaji:

• 1 1/2 pounds vegetable(s) of choice
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup grated or crumbled cheese
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or chickpea flour, if gluten-free)
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh herbs, or 1 teaspoon ground spices
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil
• Dipping sauce (optional)

For Serving:

• Tamarind chutney

Instructions

• Prepare the ingredients: Grate root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and sweet potato on the large holes of a box grater. Grate and drain zucchini and summer squash. Chop and steam cauliflower and broccoli florets. Cut corn off the cob.
• Blanch leafy greens: If using leafy greens like Swiss chard, add the chopped greens and their chopped steams to salted boiling water for 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and plunge them into the ice bath to stop the cooking process. Once blanched, drain and chop the greens.
• Whisk the egg: In a large bowl, whisk the egg thoroughly.
• Add the vegetables: Squeeze handfuls of wet vegetables, like blanched leafy greens or grated zucchini, to remove excess liquid before adding them to the bowl
• Add the remaining ingredients: Add the cheese, 1/4 cup of flour, herbs, spices, garlic, salt, and pepper to the bowl.
• Mix the batter: Use a spatula to mix everything together so that it's evenly combined.
• Test the batter: Check to see if you can form a patty in your hands and it holds together. If not, add a little more flour to the mixture.
• Heat the oil and add the batter: Heat the oil in a large skillet or frying pan, preferably cast iron or nonstick, over medium-high heat until shimmering. Drop 1/4 cup of batter into the pan, flatten it slightly with a flat spatula, and continue dropping more batter, leaving about 2 inches of space between the fritters and being careful not to overcrowd the pan.
• Fry the fritters: Let the fritters cook undisturbed until browned on the bottom, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip the patties with the spatula and cook until browned on the second side, 2 to 3 minutes more.
• Drain the fritters: Remove the fritters to a paper towel-lined large plate. Repeat making the fritters.
• Serve the fritters: Transfer the fritters to a plate and serve warm, at room temperature, or cold with a dipping sauce of your choice, if using.

(Recipe credit: thekitchn.com)