The Indian food palette is a rich riot of colours, spices and flavours. Above all, it is a celebration of cultures, retelling of stories and an opulent ocean of emotions! So, why not make the most of this experience on one of your most cherished days? As bizarre as this may sound, the wedding buffet/shaadi ka khaana is a guilty indulgence for many, including yours truly! But what is an Indian marriage without its grand gourmet fest? The only kind of queue in life worth loving is the wedding buffet one that has us tucking into a mountain of a platter. This delicious victory leaves us eager to march onto the dessert counter. And once there, the same old usual suspects greet us!
Hence, we decided to take matters (read platters) in our hands and churn out this list of the 5 best regional desserts you must consider before planning your wedding menu! Read on to know that you’re spoilt for choice here and there’s much more you can relish as desserts. Bon Appétit!
BEBINCA (GOA)
A sweet child of the Indo-Portuguese colonial era, Bebinca (also known as bibik or bebinka) enjoys the honour of being the ‘Queen of Goan desserts’ at every Goan function and festivity. Now an indulgent symbol of multicultural cuisine, the multilayered Bebinca has sweet-tooth lovers swooning. You can’t resist the decadence of this rich-layered pudding even if nonchalance is your norm for desserts! This gooey goodness is made up of flour, egg yolks, sugar, butter/ghee and coconut milk. A refreshing alternative to the usual chocolate-overload cakes at weddings, Bebinca is an easy to prepare baked pudding coupled with simple ingredients that makes its way straight to your heart! (through your tummy of course :))
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CHHENA PODA (ODISHA)
India’s very own version of the burnt cheesecake, Chhena (meaning cottage cheese) Poda (meaning burnt) has takers as shedload including the supreme being, Lord Jagannath itself! Originating in the Odia town of Nayagarh, this hugely popular dessert is relished across the state during pujas, fairs and festivals. Over the years, this smoky caramelized splendour has made its way from starring in wedding menus to street sweet shops. Prepared from kneading chhena, sooji (semolina), sugar, raw cashews, raisins and cardamoms and baked till the birth of that beautiful golden brown colour, this once rustic creation, is today a celebration of flavours and a metaphor for ringing in joyous moments. You don’t want to miss out on the sinful experience of relishing heavenly Chhena Poda on your biggest day!
Image Source India Today
Image Source India Today
KONG PHIRIN (KASHMIR)
Like amber-hued chinars dote in autumn on the frozen landscape of the valley, a sweet rendition in suji and saffron warms your heart in the form of Kong Phirin. Breaking away from the traditional North-Indian kheer/phirni which is made from rice, this delight turns into a creamy and light mixture prepared from suji by the time it reaches the ‘Paradise on Earth.’A part of the lavish-cultural Kashmiri spread, wazwan, Kong Phirin draws from its elemental environment of which saffron (kong in Kashmiri) is a symbolic part! Popularly known as Kong Phirni or Kashmiri Kesar Phirni, this rich dessert is prepared by blending suji (semolina), milk, sugar, cardamom powder and dry fruits. And finishing it off with sprinkles of saffron. Wedding meals leave you feeling packed and this super light dessert is what you’ll need the most post a spicy overload!
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KHARVAS (MAHARASHTRA)
How about gorging on our very own desi version of the panna cotta for your ‘Great Indian Wedding’?! Well, Kharvas also known as Ginnu, Posu or Junnu is a steamed delight that literally melts in your mouth and transports you to a gratifying world. This milky pudding, prepared with the colostrum milk of a cow or buffalo is your ultimate blessing to that deathly dessert craving post a shaandar shaadi ka khaana! Made from a mix of milk, sugar/jaggery and flavoured with cardamom, saffron or nutmeg, kharvas makes for a sumptuous serving and a fitting finale to your wedding food fest. A truly delectable dessert to include in your wedding menu, this one’s a treat unto itself!
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POOTHAREKULU (ANDHRA PRADESH)
Pootharekulu (or Putharekulu) is a sweet originating from the coastal village of Atreyapuram in East Godavari. The name literally means ‘coated sheet’ in Telugu. This is because the sweet is wrapped in a wafer-thin rice starch layer resembling paper and is stuffed with sugar, dry fruits and nuts. It is wholeheartedly relished during festivals, religious occasions and weddings in the Telugu states. The meticulous preparation (The rice sheets are made in inverted mud pots heated from the bottom and the temperature of the pot is constantly monitored), unique presentation and lip-smacking flavours have elevated the Pootharekulu into a classical delicacy from just an old traditional sweet. As the thin rice sheets melt in your mouth with the packed flavours of the fillings, complimented with a faint satisfying aroma of the mud pot and the smoke, you’ll realize that Pootharekulu is an experience you don’t want to miss out on!
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We hope this list has unleashed your taste buds and given you reasons aplenty to embrace the rich regional delicacies of this land and add them to your wedding menu. On that delicious note, you must first add this list to your bookmarks!
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