Celebrating Eid and Teej: Festive Food That Brings Us Together

Festivals are not just a time for prayers and rituals, but they are also a time for indulging in delicious food. For a true foodie, any celebration is incomplete without relishing the special delicacies associated with the occasion.

Celebrating Eid and Teej

Whether it’s Eid or Teej, both festivals offer unique and mouth-watering dishes that bring people together. The joy of food knows no boundaries, and for a foodie like me, these festivals are the perfect excuse to explore a variety of rich and flavorful dishes.

The Shared Love for Food Across Cultures

Different cultures have their own ways of celebrating festivals, but one thing that remains common is the special attention given to food. It’s no surprise that food holds a prominent place in every celebration, as it brings comfort, joy, and togetherness.

Whether you are celebrating Eid with the creamy richness of shahi tukda or phirni, or indulging in ghevar, rabdi, and jalebis on Teej, the essence of each festival is heightened by its signature delicacies.

Yesterday, my inner foodie couldn’t resist the call of Eid’s special dishes, so I treated myself to a plate of shahi tukda, a traditional Indian dessert made of fried bread soaked in thick, creamy milk and topped with nuts.

Kesar Phirni – Creamy & Delectable

Recipe by Taruna Deepak

Creamy & delectable, Phirni is a popular finely ground rice pudding perfumed with saffron and cardamom.

Consider it as rice custard pudding.

Check out this recipe

Along with this, I savored the smooth and aromatic phirni, a popular rice-based dessert, and completed the feast with a plate of flavorful biryani. The richness of these dishes truly captured the essence of Eid.

Today, with the arrival of Teej, I’m looking forward to indulging in sweets like ghevar—a crispy, honeycomb-shaped dessert soaked in sugar syrup and topped with rabdi. And of course, no Indian festival is complete without the iconic jalebi, a spiral-shaped treat fried to perfection and dipped in sugar syrup.

Instant Crispy Jalebi

Recipe by Shikha Gupta

Instant Crispy Jalebi is best for instant sweet craving. Holi is about to come and if you have not plan ed for any sweet any worries this instant Jalebi make your festival more colorful and yummy.. when my daughter’s examination was over and she wanted something sweet and yummy too. I made this Instant jalebi within 30 minutes with availble ingredients and she was totally surprise and happy to eat this yummy crispy Instant Jalebi..I am planning for the second batch in this festival of Holi. so my contribution for theme Festival of Holi..

Check out this recipe

These traditional Teej delicacies are not only sweet but carry with them the warmth and joy of the monsoon season.

No celebration, especially during Eid, is complete without the star of the feast—biryani. This flavorful and aromatic rice dish, layered with tender meat, fragrant spices, and herbs, is a culinary masterpiece that has won the hearts of food lovers across the world.

Whether it’s the rich Hyderabadi biryani or the subtle flavors of Lucknowi biryani, every region has its own unique take on this classic dish. For a foodie, biryani is more than just a meal—it’s an experience.

Nawabi Tarkari Biryani

Recipe by Amrita Iyer

As all of you would know Biryani was bought to India at the time of the Mughal Dynasty. It was already a rage back in Kabul and Afghanistan which were the roots of the Mughals and they were generous enough to share it with the supremely talented Indian cooks of the Mughal Rulers here and thus the recipe was passed on one generation after the next though nearly five centuries.

It was bought to India as a complete non vegetarian package primarily using Mutton as the one and only meat to make it.

The Indian cooks experimented with Chicken and the vegetarian pundits learnt the recipe only to substitute vegetables, paneer and soya thus making Biryani accessible for people who did not and could not eat meat. In the other countries this delicious main course is tried with Beef, Pork and even game meat! I am bringing forward one such long lost but simple recipe.

Let us understand the concept of having Biryani. Let us understand WHY the Mughals made the recipe? Leave the seasoning out and analyze the ingredients – Rice and Meat. In the desert areas where water is a prime concern and there are no fresh vegetables and fruits available, the dwellers relied on meat for their livelihood.

Instead of cooking in two separate pans, one pot cooking was preferred and lovely aromatic substances were used to make food have a lovely aroma and taste divine!

This Biryani has 2 main ingredients Potato and Carrot (denoting the meaning of the word Tarkari or vegetables). However you can add vegetables of your choice and Paneer to it to make it more palatable.

It is Dum cooked(cooked in its own steam till done) making it absolutely delicious ! The best part is that this is very mild and can be had both for lunch or dinner. It has been mentioned by the expert Chef and Restauranteur Jiggs Kalra in his award winning book: PRASHAD COOKING WITH INDIAN MASTERS

Check out this recipe

The blend of spices, slow-cooked meat, and perfectly cooked rice creates a harmony of flavors that satisfies the soul. The comforting aroma that fills the air as biryani is served makes it a dish that’s not only delicious but also celebratory, making it an essential part of Eid feasts and beyond.

Monsoon and Soulful Delicacies

The monsoon adds an extra layer of comfort to these festivals, as the rainy weather almost urges us to indulge in rich, soulful delicacies. There’s something deeply satisfying about sitting indoors on a rainy day, with a plate of freshly made sweets in front of you.

The season itself seems to be a reminder to feed not just the body, but also the soul with food that nourishes and delights.

During Teej, it’s a common sight to see women and young girls gathering around mehendi artists, getting intricate designs painted on their hands. The vibrant atmosphere is filled with anticipation, celebration, and the aroma of traditional sweets.

Whether someone is celebrating Eid or Teej, the excitement is palpable. In fact, if you were to observe the crowd, it would be difficult to tell who is celebrating which festival. Everyone is united by the shared joy of festivity and food.

Food as a Bridge Across Cultures

In today’s world, where communal differences often get highlighted, food has the incredible power to unite people. Here at Plattershare, we believe in using food as a way to not only connect with one another but also communicate a message of warmth and inclusion.

The phirnis and shahi tukdas of Eid, along with the ghevars and jalebis of Teej, symbolize the sweetness that exists in human relationships. Sharing these festive foods with one another is a way of spreading love and joy, regardless of cultural or religious background.

At Plattershare, we encourage all food lovers—whether you’re a home chef, a professional, a food blogger, or a restaurant owner—to share your passion for food with our growing community.

Festivals like Eid and Teej remind us that food is more than just sustenance; it is a language of love, community, and celebration. So, let’s continue to celebrate together, one delicious dish at a time.

Join the Food Network

Are you a foodie who enjoys experimenting with recipes or savoring new dishes? Or perhaps you’re a professional chef or a passionate food blogger? Whatever your role, we invite you to join our ever-growing food community at Plattershare. Share your culinary creations, discover new recipes, and connect with others who share your love for food.

Keep Fooding Around…

As the festive season continues, let’s remember to celebrate not just the rituals but also the joy of eating together. Food is a universal language that brings people together, and festivals like Eid and Teej offer the perfect opportunity to indulge in the best of what our cultures have to offer. So, keep fooding around and enjoy every bite!

Happy Haryali Teej and Happy Eid to all Plattershare visitors and users!