Mithai /Sweets

"Crave for more sweets with the brilliant desserts!!"

Many a time referred to as sweets, afters or puddings, desserts are sweet dishes taken typically after a meal. Most of these dishes are strongly flavoured and specially prepared but at times they may be as simple as some fruits and nuts. However, the common western desserts include cookies, pastries, cakes, ice creams and puddings. Though the origin of the word ‘dessert’ can be associated with the European culture, it is equally significant in Indian traditions as well. In fact, the Indian sweet dishes are far richer in look and taste than their American counterparts, in keeping with the fact that most Indians have a sweet tooth.

The most popular and certainly the most famous amongst the Indian sweet dishes is the gajar halva. It owes its origin to northern India, where it is the favourite dessert during the winter season. Though a little time consuming, the steps for the preparation of this dish are quite simple.

The ingredients include a rich combination of carrots and nuts with a wonderful spicy flavour of cardamom and cinnamon. The wonderful aroma and delicious taste of this dessert leaves everybody craving for more. This dish also forms an important item during the festivals and occasions. It features in the buffet of almost all formal and wedding events especially during the fall season. It is one of the easiest desserts to prepare; nevertheless, the taste depends on the quality of the carrots to a great extent. People generally prefer orange and juicy carrots for the making of this yummy halwa.

Another important Indian sweet dish is shrikhand, a popular item made of hung yogurt and sugar. Though an important dish in western India, this dessert is popular all over India. Most of the times people also add fresh fruits like mango to this preparation to give it a new flavour, although dry fruits form an essential ingredient for this preparation. It is generally served chill and is a refreshing, cool end to a spicy meal. Similarly, kheer forms an indispensable part of the Indian cuisine.

This is one dish that goes beyond boundaries and restrictions and is liked by people of all religions and ethnicities. It is typically rice pudding flavoured with a whole variety of spices and dry fruits including saffron, cardamoms, almonds and pistachios. It forms an important part of the traditional offerings made to God and none of the festive occasions are complete without its preparation. Known as payesh in the east and payasam in the south, it is an easy to prepare dish that is available in different versions in various parts of the country.

While all the above dishes were desserts particularly of milk, and meant to satisfy your desire for sweetness, there is this interesting dish called shero. It is a spicy Ethiopian item made of peas cooked in berbere sauce that also includes assorted spices and tomato as well. Though it sounds a little unusual but the inclusion of this item in the list of dessets is a refreshing change from the sweet bonanzas.
 

Desserts (Sweets or Mithai) are of various kinds

Gulab Jamun

Rasmalai

Rasgoola

Gajar Halwa

Shrikhand

Kulfi

Kheer or Rice Pudding

Thali