The bond and relationship of brother and sister is sweeter than it seems. Bhai Dooj is a day dedicated to this relationship. The relationship between brother and sister is like Tom and Jerry. There are fewer occasions and times when both of them are seen together being amiable and lovely around each other. One of the many occasions is Bhai Dooj which celebrates the unbreakable and unique union of brother and sister. The day is celebrated with sweets gifts and many other things that make the day memorable. The brothers try to make the day special for their sisters and they try to do the same. If you are a sister looking for Bhai Dooj gift ideas to make the day special for your brother then you have come to the right place. We have a beautiful idea with which you can make the day momentous for both of you. Gifts are not only about the things they want or would like to have they are about the experiences as well. If you also want to give a gift of experience then you can try making some sweet dishes for your brother. It will make him feel special and your efforts in making the sweet dishes will also be fruitful. We have listed some easily made recipes for you so even if you don’t know how to cook you will be able to make it for your brother nonetheless.
Whether they like veggies in their meal or not they can definitely make an exception for the desserts. This north Indian dessert is made with simple ingredients but tastes delicious. To make this vibrant and aromatic all you need is the right ingredient and approach, so here we go.
Step 1 - For the First step all you need to do is wash and peel the carrots thoroughly. Then grate the carrots finely, if you want you can grate them using a grater, or if you want to save some time then you can also use a food processor for it. Add the grated carrots to a hot pan with medium-high heat and let it simmer a bit.
Step 2- Keep stirring the carrots and dry roast. In this step, we just dry-roast the carrots for 10 minutes just to dry out the moisture even before adding something. You will see the color of the carrots change when they dry. Once the carrots change color and have dried down considerably remove the pan from heat and set it aside.
Step 3- Take a heavy bottom pan and add milk to it boil it in medium to low heat. Keep stirring the milk and be mindful of using a heavy bottom pan otherwise, you might end up burning the halwa.
Step 4- Once the milk comes to a boil, you can lower the heat to medium and let the milk boil until it reduces to at least half or a little bit more than half. Remember to keep stirring the milk slowly as it might burn if you don’t.
Step 5- Meanwhile, on another pan, you can fry cashews in 1 tablespoon of ghee until they turn golden brown in color and set aside.
Step 6- The milk must have been reduced by now. In the thickened milk add all the roasted carrots and keep stirring. This is a very crucial point in the recipe where you have to keep stirring the halwa and you can’t leave it unattended. One by one add sugar, add cardamom powder, and a tablespoon of ghee. Last but not least add the fried nuts and raisins, to the halwa and keep mixing well. You will see how the halwa becomes liquidy again after adding sugar don’t dry out the halwa too much because it will thicken after it cools down.
Step 7- Once you mix everything well and find a thick consistency while the halwa is still simmering it is time to turn off the heat. Your delicious Gajar Halwa is ready to eat.
There are many more things that you can add like Mawa and much more but the recipe tastes delicious even like this. It would be better if you use red carrots instead of oranges but if you can’t find red ones the orange ones will do just fine.
Desserts are just not complete without Kheer. It has many versions and it is called by different names all across India. But just like the relationship of a brother and sister, the essence is the same. You can surprise your brother with this wonderful dessert!
Step 1: Wash the Basmati rice under running cold water until the water runs clear. Then soak the rice with enough water above the rice for 20-30 minutes.
Step 2: On medium to low heat boil the milk on a heavy bottom pan. Keep stirring the milk at regular intervals to avoid burning the milk. You can add some cardamom and clove to the milk if you want to.
Step 3: Once the milk starts boiling drain the water from the soaked rice and add it to the milk and stir well. Let it simmer for 25-30 minutes or until the rice is tender and cooked. Do stir every five minutes and make sure that it is not sticking to the pan.
Step 4: Once you get a thick consistency you can add the sugar, saffron, cardamom powder, and the chopped nuts and stir well. When you get the right consistency that is when the rice and milk fall together when poured into the pan from the ladle. You can turn off the heat and the Kheer will be ready to serve.
You can serve the kheer hot as well as cold, it completely depends on how your brother will prefer. So, serve the kheer garnished with some saffron strands and some chopped nuts, and surprise your brother.
Another simple yet irresistible sweet dish is the Gulab Jamun. Everyone one of us must have enjoyed having Gulab Jamuns with our siblings, we have fought over it with them as well. How about we make some and relive those memories?
Step 1: Take the instant Gulab Jamun mix in a mixing bowl. Sieve it to break any small lumps add water little by little and make a smooth dough. Use your fingertips and do not apply too much pressure and make a tight and smooth dough. The dough should be slightly sticky but not crumbly otherwise the balls will break. Set the dough aside for 10-15 minutes.
Step 2: Meanwhile you can prepare for the sugar syrup. Take sugar and water in a large sauce pot. Add saffron, and stir well over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes after that. The consistency of the syrup should be sticky but not too thick the best way to figure it out is by touching the syrup with your fingers if it creates a line when your two fingers go apart then it is ready. Just before switching off the heat, add powdered cardamom or rose water and mix well. Switch off the stove, and keep it aside.
Step 3: Now we bring the dough back and knead it to make it smooth. After greasing your hands ghee or oil start making small and soft balls from it. You need to roll the doubt into small balls without exerting much pressure. Grease your hands once in a while to avoid sticking while you roll the dough.
Step 4: It’s time to turn these colorless balls into Gulab Jamun! Heat the ghee or oil in the pan on medium to low heat. It should not be too hot to taste it you can add a little amount of dough into the oil if it rises then it is good to go. Add all the evenly sizes balls into the ghees or oil and fry them evenly until brown. When you have fried it all set them aside for some time before soaking them in the sugar syrup.
Step 5: The syrup should be hot but not boiling. So, maintain the temperature add the Gulab Jamuns to the syrup. Let it soak all the goodness for 3-4 hours and garnish it with pistachios or any other nuts while serving.
The Gulab jamun will be bigger in size and will absorb all the sweet and sugary syrup. This will definitely win your brothers’ hearts in no time. All you have to keep in mind is that you need time to prepare this dish so keep time at your hand and prepare well.
All these sweet dishes need some time to make and even they need some time to allow it to set if you want to serve them cold. Some of them are tastier when served warm. All these sweet dishes signify the relationship of brother and sister in all its flavor and temperament. So, gift your brother bhai Dooj gifts of experience with these sweet dishes that you will make just for him.
