As the year 2023 comes to an end, Google Trends has revealed the top 10 recipes that Indians searched for on the internet. The list reflects the diverse and delicious culinary preferences of the country, as well as the influence of festivals and seasons on the food choices. Here are the 10 recipes that topped the search list in India in 2023.
Mango Pickle: A Classic Indian Condiment
Mango pickle, also known as aam ka achaar, is a staple accompaniment for many Indian dishes, especially parathas and curd rice. It is made with unripe green mangoes, salt, oil, mustard seeds and spices, and has a tangy and spicy flavour. Making mango pickle can be tricky, as it requires proper sterilization and preservation techniques. However, once made, it can last for months or even years, and can be enjoyed throughout the seasons.
Sex On The Beach: A Popular Cocktail
Sex on the Beach is a cocktail that gained immense popularity in the 1980s, and is still a favourite among many drinkers. It is a concoction of vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice, cranberry juice, and crème de cassis. It has a fruity and refreshing taste, and is often served in a tall glass with ice and a slice of orange. The name of the drink is catchy and suggestive, and may have contributed to its popularity.
Panchamrit: A Sacred Prasad
Panchamrit, which means five nectars, is a sacred mixture that is used in Hindu religious ceremonies, such as Janmashtami and Ganesh Chaturthi. It is made with five ingredients: milk, curd, sugar, honey, and ghee. These ingredients are believed to have nourishing and purifying properties, and are offered to the deities as a sign of devotion. Panchamrit is then distributed as prasad to the devotees, who consume it as a blessing.
Hakusai: A Japanese Pickle
Hakusai is the Japanese word for Napa cabbage, a type of cabbage that has a mild and sweet flavour. Hakusai is often used to make pickles, which are called tsukemono in Japanese. Tsukemono are an essential part of Japanese cuisine, and are served as a side dish or a snack. To make hakusai tsukemono, the cabbage is mixed with salt, red chillies, and kombu, a type of seaweed that adds umami flavour. The mixture is then fermented for a few days, and then refrigerated for longer storage.
Dhaniya Panjiri: A Festive Energy Booster
Dhaniya panjiri, also known as coriander powder halwa, is a sweet dish that is made during festivals and fasting days. It is made with roasted coriander powder, sugar, ghee, nuts and seeds. It has a rich and nutty flavour, and is high in fibre, antioxidants, and other nutrients. Dhaniya panjiri can help to provide energy and satiety during fasting, and can also aid in digestion and detoxification.
Karanji: A Sweet Dumpling
Karanji, also known as gujiya or kajjikayalu, is a sweet dumpling that is made during festivals like Diwali, Holi, and Ganesh Chaturthi. It is made with a dough of all-purpose flour, semolina, and ghee, and filled with a mixture of desiccated coconut, mawa, nuts, seeds, sugar, or jaggery. It is then deep-fried or baked, and sometimes dipped in sugar syrup. Karanji has a crispy and flaky outer layer, and a soft and sweet inner filling.
Thiruvathirai Kali: A Tamil Delicacy
Thiruvathirai kali is a traditional Tamil dish that is made on the auspicious occasion of Thiruvathirai, a festival dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is a sweet pudding made with coarsely ground rice, moong dal, jaggery, cardamom, almonds, and coconut. It is offered to Lord Shiva as a bhog, and then consumed by the devotees as a prasad. Thiruvathirai kali is also believed to have medicinal properties, and can help to cure cold and cough.
Ugadi Pachadi: A Symbol Of Life
Ugadi pachadi is a special dish that is prepared on the occasion of Ugadi, the New Year of the Telugu and Kannada people. It is made with six ingredients that represent the six tastes or emotions of life: neem flowers for bitterness, raw mango for sourness, jaggery for sweetness, coconut for tenderness, pepper powder for spiciness, and salt for saltiness. Ugadi pachadi is consumed as a reminder of the joys and sorrows of life, and to embrace them with equanimity.
Kolukattai: A Steamed Modak
Kolukattai, also known as kozhukattai or modak, is a steamed dumpling that is made during the festival of Vinayaka Chaturthi. It is made with a dough of rice flour, and filled with a mixture of grated coconut and jaggery. It is then shaped into a cone or a ball, and steamed in a steamer or a pressure cooker. Kolukattai has a soft and chewy texture, and a delicious coconut and jaggery filling.
Rava Ladoo: A Simple And Quick Sweet
Rava ladoo, also known as suji ladoo or rava laddu, is a simple and quick sweet that can be made with minimal ingredients. It is made with roasted semolina, sugar, ghee, cardamom, and dry fruits. It does not require any sugar syrup or milk, and can be easily shaped into balls. Rava ladoo has a melt-in-the-mouth texture with a slight crunch, and a fragrant and sweet flavour.
