Indian delicacies are incomplete without desserts as desserts and sweets have always remained an integral part of it. The milk based desserts enjoy a dominant place in the dessert world of the country. The variety of Indian desserts astonishes all. The sweets vary widely region wise and they are made following special traditional cooking style. The sweet dish not only concludes a meal but leaves a sweet and pleasing taste in our taste buds.
Apart from this desserts are also a big part of any occasion or festival. In all festivals in India there is a custom of making sweet dish at home. The Indian sweet dishes are unique, delicious and yet easy to prepare at home. Most of the sweet dishes in India are rich in milk, sugar, cream and dry fruits. Indian desserts take all the more tempting look when they are garnished with fruits like cherries, mangoes, pineapple, guavas, melon, bananas and oranges. The ingredients like cashew nuts, cardamom, almonds, raisins and pistachios add to the charm and flavour of Indian desserts.
Coconut is one of the most commonly used ingredients in Indian sweets. Coconut grows widely in Southern India and a vast variety of sweet dishes are made of coconut and coconut milk. Coconut Burfi, Coconut Milk Payasam are very much popular Indian sweet. The creamy and yummy, fresh Coconut milk is used for preparing many finger-licking desserts.
One of the most popular and authentic Indian dessert is Kheer which is prepared on the auspicious days. To add to the delight of sweet lovers there is a wide variety of Kheer or Payasam like Paruppu Payasam, Gasgase Payasam, Aval Payasam, Vermicelli Kheer, Sabudana Kheer, Pal Payasam, Badam Kheer etc. While Paruppu Payasam is made with dal or lentils, Gasgase Payasam is made with poppy seeds and poha kheer is used in Aval Payasam.
The discussion about Indian desserts will remain incomplete without a mention of the tempting desserts like Phirni, Gajar Halwa, Gulab Jamun, Rasgulla, ladoos Badam Halwa, Sooji Halwa, Coconut Souffle and kulfi.
Sandeep Arora is a senior chef who has been working as the Chief Chef in the top hotels of India for twelve years now. He has written many articles on restaurants in mumbai. In this article he is providing us with some valuable information on Indian desserts.
























