JOIN USExploring creativity in gifts
It is of course not a new concept to gift food on Diwali. In fact, the sharing of sweets is an age-old tradition symbolic of the celebration of homecoming of Lord Rama in Ayodhya. At that time, probably ladoos would have been the first choice.
Today, however, the choice and form of the food products has changed over time, yet gifting and offering sweets to friends and relatives during Diwali remains the trend.
While designed food hampers have become a hot option, one often forgets to check the balance of sweet and salt content in the assortment. “One must keep in mind that there should be something for every member of the family in the hamper,” shares chef Harmender Mathur from The Lalit adding, “While dry fruit cakes and brownies are favourite among children, cashews roasted in flavours such as cheese and barbeque can be added for the adults.”
It is important to keep in mind the shelf life of food articles which are gifted, since most last even after Diwali. So a bottle of olives can be a good addition to the gift basket. “Silver coated cardamoms are another options which can be offered to guests as an alternative to sweets,” adds chef Harmender. But chef Shaleem Gambhir from Radisson Blu, MBD Noida suggests that those interested in baking at home can make dry cakes and prepare chocolate fudge. “One can also make candies like jujups and try savouries like khari biscuits which require just butter, flour, salt and water as ingredients.”
Even macaroons can be tried at home. “These get crisp with time but French heart cookies have a longer shelf life,” shares chef Mahinder Rawat from Hilton Hotel, Janakpuri. “The paprika sticks can add the salt element to your food hamper and balance the sweet content since every one in the family doesn’t like sweets,” he says suggesting that even a simple focaccia baked at home and gifted with love can make your relatives feel special.
Yet, if baking is not your forte, pick up simple ingredients from the market such as flavoured chocolate and coconut powder to bind them in the form of traditional ladoos. “These can be experimented with flavours such as thyme and other herbs. But make sure to keep the content of khoya less and dry fruits more, in order to increase their shelf life,” says chef Shaleen to which chef Abhishek Basu from The Park suggests addition of themes to make the gift interesting. “Try theming your food hamper around Ramayana where you can print the drawings and have them on the sweets or shape mithais in the form of anar, chakri or bomb.”
So this time when you set out to purchase a food hamper, pick up something that is balanced or even better, create your own hamper and make your gift special!