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  5. 22 Delicious Vegetarian Recipes to Help You Celebrate Diwali

22 Delicious Vegetarian Recipes to Help You Celebrate Diwali

A Headshot of Pooja Makhijani
Pooja Makhijani November 03, 2021
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Lemon Rice

Diwali is a major festival across South Asia and in the South Asian diaspora, and is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists. Diwali celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over dark, knowledge over ignorance—although the deities, rituals and stories that are associated with the holiday differ from region to region, community to community. Regardless of these particulars, Diwali is a time for abundance, including celebratory meals with friends and family, and lots of sweet treats. 

Traditional recipes, like bhindi masala (stir-fried okra) and eggplant bhartha (roasted eggplant), and modern takes, from tandoori tofu to no-churn ice cream with cardamom and saffron, will make for your best celebration yet! Just a note that all the recipes in this collection are vegetarian; Diwali is a religious holiday and many abstain from meat during these auspicious days.

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Chickpea Curry (Chhole)

chickpea curry (chhole)
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Conveniently made with canned chickpeas, rather than dry chickpeas (as it is traditionally), this hearty, nutty North Indian stew can be served with naan or basmati rice.

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Tandoori Tofu

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A tandoori-inspired spice rub and smokiness from the grill flavor these tofu "steaks"—the perfect centerpiece to any vegetarian meal when served alongside grilled peppers, onions and tomatoes.

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Indian Saag with Chickpeas

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Paneer is a fresh Indian cheese and a common protein in some South Asian cuisines. Combine with spinach, as shown here, or Swiss chard or mustard greens (a traditional pairing in Punjab, in North India).

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Indian-Style Mustard Greens & Kale with Toasted Naan

Indian-Style Mustard Greens & Kale with Toasted Naan
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Dark leafy greens, cooked with chile, ginger and turmeric, and topped with salty paneer—all served with toasted naan—make for a delightful and filling appetizer.

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Indian-Spiced Kale & Chickpeas

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This quick side dish takes its flavor from garam masala—a ground spice mixture commonly used in South Asian cooking that usually includes coriander, cumin, cinnamon, peppercorns, cardamom and cloves.

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Spicy Roasted Indian Eggplant (Bhartha)

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This rich eggplant dish can be served with basmati rice and naan; it often tastes better the next day (if you have leftovers!).

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Okra Fry (Bhindi Masala)

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Okra is prepared in various ways across South Asia: fried, stuffed, stir-fried. Here, the vegetable is cooked over high heat in a nonstick pan to avoid any sliminess. 

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Cauliflower Tikka Masala with Chickpeas

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Tikka masala isn't South Asian at all, but an invention of the subcontinent's British colonizers. Chicken tikka masala is a popular restaurant dish; this vegetarian version swaps the meat for cauliflower and chickpeas.

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Chickpea & Potato Curry

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This South Asian-style curry comes together with frozen peas and canned tomatoes and chickpeas; serve with naan to sop it all up.

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Yellow Split Pea Sambar with Turnip, Eggplant & Okra

Yellow Split Pea Sambar with Turnip, Eggplant & Okra
Credit: Eva Kolenko
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Sambar (lentil-and-vegetable stew) is eaten across Southern India. Its essential flavor comes from sambar powder, a mixture that includes coriander, fenugreek, cumin, black peppercorns, red chiles and asafetida.

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Indian Mango Dal

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Dal, an umbrella term for lentils and legumes, is central to nearly every South Asian meal. Here, yellow lentils (toor dal) and mango are cooked in a more traditionally southern Indian style—more souplike.

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Slow-Cooker Dal Makhani

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Dal makhani is a regal and rich dish—it's buttery and creamy and pairs well with naan and yogurt. For the creamiest results, use whole urad dal (versus split).

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Daal Tarka (Spiced Lentils)

Nepali Mountain Kitchen’s Daal Tarka (Spiced Lentils)
Credit: Jenny Huang
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Tadka (aka tarka) is an essential South Asian cooking technique. Spices are bloomed in hot fat, intensifying or altering their flavors.

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Winter Vegetable Dal

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This southern-Indian-inspired dal is enriched with coconut milk and a tadka of spices. Curry leaves impart both flavor and aroma.

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Lemon Rice (Chitrannam)

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Another centerpiece for a festive meal—lemony, spicy, nutty twice-cooked rice. Urad dal and roasted chana dal add texture to this colorful dish.

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Spelt Indian Flatbread

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Chapati are skillet flatbreads traditionally made from atta or finely milled wheat flour; here, nutty spelt is used instead. They are a must-have on the South Asian table, perfect for scooping up dal or vegetables.

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Cilantro Chutney

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Chutneys are also a must, and this herby green chutney recipe serves as a condiment for many snacks, street foods and sandwiches. The serrano chile gives it quite a blast of heat.

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Spelt Indian Flatbread

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Yogurt and other dairy products are often consumed alongside spicy dishes to temper their heat. Raita can be made from whatever cooked or raw veggies you have on hand.

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Mango Lassi Pie

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Inspired by lassi, a yogurt-based drink, this frozen pie recipe gets flavor from cardamom and lime zest.

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Apricot Baked Rice Pudding

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This dish riffs on kheer, or South Asian rice pudding. This smooth custardy dessert is flavored with just a hint of cardamom.

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No-Churn Ice Cream with Cardamom & Saffron

No-Churn Cardamom-Saffron Ice Cream
Credit: Ryan Liebe
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Kulfi, or South Asian frozen custard, is the inspiration for this no-churn dessert. Rather than using an ice cream maker, you whip the cream mixture to form soft peaks before freezing it.

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Almond Burfi

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Burfi is often served and gifted during Diwali. Usually made with condensed milk, it's a decadent sweet. This version uses nonfat dry milk powder and almond flour instead.

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    1 of 22 Chickpea Curry (Chhole)
    2 of 22 Tandoori Tofu
    3 of 22 Indian Saag with Chickpeas
    4 of 22 Indian-Style Mustard Greens & Kale with Toasted Naan
    5 of 22 Indian-Spiced Kale & Chickpeas
    6 of 22 Spicy Roasted Indian Eggplant (Bhartha)
    7 of 22 Okra Fry (Bhindi Masala)
    8 of 22 Cauliflower Tikka Masala with Chickpeas
    9 of 22 Chickpea & Potato Curry
    10 of 22 Yellow Split Pea Sambar with Turnip, Eggplant & Okra
    11 of 22 Indian Mango Dal
    12 of 22 Slow-Cooker Dal Makhani
    13 of 22 Daal Tarka (Spiced Lentils)
    14 of 22 Winter Vegetable Dal
    15 of 22 Lemon Rice (Chitrannam)
    16 of 22 Spelt Indian Flatbread
    17 of 22 Cilantro Chutney
    18 of 22 Spelt Indian Flatbread
    19 of 22 Mango Lassi Pie
    20 of 22 Apricot Baked Rice Pudding
    21 of 22 No-Churn Ice Cream with Cardamom & Saffron
    22 of 22 Almond Burfi

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    22 Delicious Vegetarian Recipes to Help You Celebrate Diwali
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