All posts filed under: Diwali

Makhana Chocolate Bark

Makhana Chocolate Bark

Makhana Chocolate Bark — with dark chocolate, goji berries, edible flowers, cardamom, and roasted makhana, this is a fusion Diwali sweet you can enjoy without indulging! Makhana or popped lotus seeds are a super healthy Indian snack and make for the crunchiest, guilt-free addition to a rich dark chocolate bark! WATCH HOW TO MAKE MAKHANA CHOCOLATE BARK: Makhana Chocolate Bark — with dark chocolate, goji berries, edible flowers, cardamom, and roasted makhana, this is a fusion Diwali sweet you can enjoy without indulging! Makhana or popped lotus seeds are a super healthy Indian snack and make for the crunchiest, guilt-free addition to a rich dark chocolate bark! Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for step-by-step videos. DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? Don’t forget to tag @naturallynidhi on Instagram and hashtag it #naturallynidhi. You can also post your pictures to my facebook page. I’d love to hear how the recipe turned out and what you think in the comment section below. Find me on and share your creation with me!

Thai Lollipops with Mango Chili Coulis

Thai Lollipops with Mango Chili Coulis

Thai Lollipops with Mango Chili Coulis — bright, floral, and spicy, these veggie lollipops are ready to bring all the flavor! With a sweet and peppery mango coulis to enhance those vibrant  gingery, lemony flavors, this appetizer is as much a treat to look at as it is to eat! I love the subtle, yet bright flavors of Thai cuisine, and this lollipop is one of my favorite (nontraditional) ways to enjoy it! With ginger, lemongrass, cilantro, and mango paired with that piquant Thai bird’s eye chili, I just can’t get enough of this perfect Diwali appetizer! If you like this, please try my other appetizer recipes: Kolkata Masala Crostini Mediterranean Chaat Tarts 7 Layer Dahi Chaat WATCH HOW TO MAKE THAI LOLLIPOPS: Thai Lollipops with Mango Chili Coulis — bright, floral, and spicy, these veggie lollipops are ready to bring all the flavor! With a sweet and peppery mango coulis to enhance those vibrant  gingery, lemony flavors, this appetizer is as much a treat to look at as it is to eat! Subscribe to …

Rose Rasmalai Falooda

Rose Rasmalai Falooda

Rose Rasmalai Falooda — an epic fusion of two all-time classic Indian desserts that will be all the talk at your next Diwali party! With crisp fruits to break the sweetness and fun texture from jelly and nuts, prepare to be blown away by this simple, yet show-stopping dish! WATCH HOW TO MAKE ROSE RASMALAI FALOODA: Rose Rasmalai Falooda — an epic fusion of two all-time classic Indian desserts that will be all the talk at your next party! With crisp fruits to break the sweetness and fun texture from jelly and nuts, prepare to be blown away by this simple, yet show-stopping dish! Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for step-by-step videos. DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? Don’t forget to tag @naturallynidhi on Instagram and hashtag it #naturallynidhi. You can also post your pictures to my facebook page. I’d love to hear how the recipe turned out and what you think in the comment section below. Find me on and share your creation with me!

Chocolate Kesar Khaja

Chocolate Kesar Khaja

Chocolate and Kesar Khaja —  this flaky, layered pastry is a Diwali classic all across India! Coated in a luscious sugar syrup, it’s an addicting mithai to celebrate the sweetness of the festive season that can even be made in the air fryer! If you like this, please try my other desserts: Baked Motichoor Rabri Parfait Coconut Kalakand Cake Pineapple Sandesh STEPS FOR MAKING KHAJA: Chocolate and Kesar Khaja —  this flaky, layered pastry is a Diwali classic all across India! Coated in a luscious sugar syrup, it’s an addicting mithai to celebrate the sweetness of the festive season that can even be made in the air fryer! Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for step-by-step videos. DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? Don’t forget to tag @naturallynidhi on Instagram and hashtag it #naturallynidhi. You can also post your pictures to my facebook page. I’d love to hear how the recipe turned out and what you think in the comment section below. Find me on and share your creation with me!

Kolkata Masala Crostini

Kolkata Masala Crostini

Kolkata Masala Crostini — a chatpata twist to an easy appetizer with sweet chili jam, spicy potato and kala chana filling, and colorful garnishes like coconut and peanuts! It’s a bright and bold dish to share that’ll transport you back to the rainy streets of Kolkata!  This crostini is all about the composition. The potato filling features tamarind chutney, lemon juice, chaat masala, and dried mint along with your usual masalas. Paired with the sweet jam-chutney layer and the crunchy garnish, this is finger food at its best! If you like this, please try my other chaat recipes: Kolkata Ghugni Chaat Mediterranean Chaat Tarts 7 Layer Dahi Chaat WATCH HOW TO MAKE KOLKATA MASALA CROSTINI: Kolkata Masala Crostini — a chatpata twist to an easy appetizer with sweet chili jam, spicy potato and kala chana filling, and colorful garnishes like coconut and peanuts! It’s a bright and bold dish to share that’ll transport you back to the rainy streets of Kolkata!  Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for step-by-step videos. DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? Don’t …

Kesariya Gulab Makhan Board

Kesariya Gulab Makhan Board – Saffron Rose Butter Board

Kesariya Gulab Makhan Board — with fresh fruits, rose petals, almonds, and a saffron-rose-kewra infused honey, this butter board is an ode to the classic Indian makhan mithai that I loved as a kid. Sweet peaches and blueberries paired with the creamy butter and floral honey are a combo that I could only dream of! If you’re anything like me, one of the first things that came to our mind with this new butter board trend was Makhan Mithai. A popular Indian mithai with nuts and fruits in a butter base, it’s the perfect inspo! I like to serve this with pav for the most authentic flavor but even crackers or other bread would be great in a pinch! If you like this, please try my other recipes: Rasmalai Falooda Pineapple Sandesh Baked Motichoor Rabri Parfait WATCH HOW TO MAKE KESARIYA GULAB MAKHAN BOARD: Kesariya Gulab Makhan Board — with fresh fruits, rose petals, almonds, and a saffron-rose-kewra infused honey, this butter board is an ode to the classic Indian makhan mithai that I loved …

Lasooni Chili Peanuts

Lasooni Chili Peanuts

These Lasooni Chili Peanuts are the most addicting, Chinese-inspired snack! With boiled peanuts stir-fried in a tangy, spicy schezwan sauce with aromatics like garlic and ginger, this is going to be a fan-favorite appetizer at any Diwali party! They run out fast because of how addicting they are — so be sure to make extra! Peanuts are a somewhat common snack typically served dry or coated in some kind of spice blend. I decided to give that indulging feeling of eating peanuts a new spin by making it Indo-Chinese style! It’ll pair perfectly with drinks or as an appetizer by itself! If you like this, please try my other party recipes: Vegetable Au Gratin Bread Tart Mediterranean Chaat Tarts Stuffed Peppers in Creamy Cashew Gravy WATCH HOW TO MAKE LASOONI CHILI PEANUTS: These Lasooni Chili Peanuts are the most addicting, Chinese-inspired snack! With boiled peanuts stir-fried in a tangy, spicy schezwan sauce with aromatics like garlic and ginger, this is going to be a fan-favorite appetizer at any Diwali party! They run out fast because …

Lentil Chilla Crisps

Lentil Chilla Crisps

These Lentil Chilla Crisps are such a fun and innovative take on the classic chips and salsa! Spice up your typical moong dal batter with beets, fresh turmeric, and spinach for a beautiful array of colors. Cook them until golden brown and serve with your choice of accompaniments — I made peach salsa, lemon hummus, and guacamole! These are the perfect afternoon tea snack or appetizer when you’re in the mood to impress! If you like this, please try my other party recipes: Korean Chili Potatoes Rasmalai Falooda Matar Tikki Chaat Sizzler WATCH HOW TO MAKE LENTIL CHILLA CRISPS: These Lentil Chilla Crisps are such a fun and innovative take on the classic chips and salsa! Spice up your typical moong dal batter with beets, fresh turmeric, and spinach for a beautiful array of colors. Cook them until golden brown and serve with your choice of accompaniments — I made peach salsa, lemon hummus, and guacamole! These are the perfect afternoon tea snack or appetizer when you’re in the mood to impress! Subscribe to my …

Tandoori Butter Board

Tandoori Butter Board

This Indian-inspired butter board is a fun take on the TikTok trend with Amul butter and tandoori-roasted paneer and corn! Topped with fresh veggies and chutneys, this is the ultimate crowd pleaser at your next party!  Butter boards have been all over my feed the last few weeks so let’s make an Indian version: a Tandoori Butter Board! Mix together some yogurt, spices, mustard oil, and lemon. Add in your corn and diced paneer and toss together. Pan fry until nice and golden brown — this will be the topping for our butter board. Lay down dollops of butter on a sheet of parchment paper. Top with your cooled roasted paneer and corn mixture, onions, peppers, mint-cilantro chutney, garlic chutney, and microgreens. Serve with naan, pav, crostini, bread and crackers and enjoy this lovely tandoori chaat inspired butter board perfect for Diwali!  If you like this, please try my other party appetizers: Masala Papad Platter Cheese Corn Balls Elaichi Infused Walnut Kebabs with Pineapple Yogurt Dip WATCH HOW TO MAKE TANDOORI BUTTER BOARD: This Indian-inspired …