DEEPAVAL-EAT TIME!

DEEPAVALI IS NEARING! Which means it’s time for the stretchy pants to come out to play. We Malaysians love celebration, no matter the race or culture. What better way to be a part of this wonderful festive season than to savour the delicacies?

So little time, so much to eat! Here are some of the MUST HAVES this Deepavali.

1. Murukku

This is just something that you cannot miss every Deepavali! The name derives from the Tamil word for "twisted", which refers to its shape. It is made out of rice and urad dal flour.

2. Nei Urundai

These little flour balls are one of the oldest traditional recipes, made out of green gram dal, chardamom, sugar and ghee.

3. Ladoo

SUPER SWEET and made of flour, ghee/butter/oil and sugar, with other ingredients that vary by recipe, like chopped nuts or dried raisins.

4. Samosas

Deep fried and crunchy on the outside, soft and warm fillings such as potatoes, lentils, or even meat inside!

5. Gulab Jamun

Gulab = rose. Jamun = berry.

These sticky-sweet deep-fried milk powder dough balls definitely aren't for those on a diet.

6. Thosai

Every Malaysian has had to have tried this. Made of fermented batter, it looks somewhat like a crepe, but is made of rice and black gram.

7. Jelebi

This sweet has a somewhat chewy texture with a crystallized sugary exterior coating. Citric acid or lime juice is sometimes added to the syrup, as well as rose water.

8. Mutton Curry

MUTTON AND CURRY. No more has to be said.

9. Idli

Steamed rice cakes, usually eaten with savoury curries or chutney (coconut based sauce)

10. Omapodi

This all-time favourite jar snack is laced with the delicate aroma and flavour of ajwain or carom seeds, and BEWARE: it's extremely addictive.

11. Adhirasam

This doughnut-like pastry is usually made of rice flour, jaggery, butter and pepper.

12. Appam

Thin pancakes with a thick soft middle, made of fermented flour and coconut milk.

13. Achi Murukku

This snack is made of flour, coconut milk and sugar and is crunchy as ever!

14. Halwa

Sweet dessert pudding usually made of carrot, beetroot or semolina.

15. Kesari

Made of semolina, sugar, ghee, water and milk, this sweet usually contains cashews and raisins and is definitely a sweet-tooth favourite!

16. Puttu

This steamed rice cake is cooked with coconut shavings and can be eaten with curry, bananas, and even sugar!

17. Kaju Kathli

A sweet that is often cut into diamond shapes and decorated with edible silver coloring. Kaju Katli translates as cashew slice. It is made with cream, sugar and ground cashews.

18. Vadai

Fritters made of flour and a whole load of spices!

19. Palkova

This sweet is the essence of all milk dessert.

20. Coconut Candy

Made of pure coconut and sugar, this sweet is so addictive you won’t be able to stop eating!

21. Pakoda

Crispy onion fritters mixed with loads of spices, a perfect snack to munch on!

22. Mysore Pak

LOTS of ghee, sugar, gram flour and cardamom are used to prepare this mouth-watering sweet.

23. Poori

Unleavened dough deep fried into puffed up bread, usually eaten with curry or bhaji, which is dhal and potatoes.

24. Rasmalai

Balls of cream cooked in syrup and milk, stuffed with saffron, pistachios and kheer.

25. Briyani

A wholesome rice dish, cooked with plenty of spices and meat, an all-time favourite!

26. Payasam

This pudding is made of boiled rice, broken wheat, tapioca, or vermicelli with milk and sugar; it is flavoured with cardamom, raisins, saffron, cashews, pistachios or almonds.

On behalf of Merchantrade, we'd like to wish everyone the best of the festivities! If you're sending money to families or friends in India, enjoy ONLY RM5 transfer fees when you use eRemit!