Gulab Jamuns are deep fried milk solid balls dipped in sugary syrup and purely melt in the mouth bombs. If you eat one, I can guarantee you’ll ask for a second one.
I was born and lived 25 years of my life in Kolkata, where Diwali was never a big deal. However, thanks to television soaps and the growing Non Bengali population in Kolkata, I heard that Diwali became part of another Bengali Celebration.
Diwali a large Indian celebration that is celebrated in fall every year. The festival glorifies the victory of light over darkness. The preparation and celebration of Diwali is almost a five-day affair in most homes, but the main festival happens on the darkest night when the new moon starts to appear.
Indians clean, renovate their house, and buy new clothes and jewelry. On Diwali night, Hindus dress up, light up lamps and candles and participate in a family prayer to Lakshmi. After the puja, fireworks follow and an elaborate family meal with sweets. The exchange of gifts and dry fruits are very popular after the worship.
When the whole of India is busy celebrating Diwali, Bengalis and northeast Indians celebrate Goddess Kali on that day and it’s famously known as “Kali Puja”. It was started in the late 17th Century, but it was introduced to Bengal in 18th Century and became famous in the 19th Century. Kali puja is also celebrated as King Ramchandra’s return to Ayodhya, after his win against the demon Ravan (based on a Sanskrit epic poem, Ramayana).
She is worshipped at night with Tantric (an ancient Hindu belief and meditation designed to seek the divine energy of godhead into a human in order to attain Moksha) rituals and chanting. Red hibiscus flowers, animal blood in skulls, sweets, rice, fish and meat are offered to the deity. Animal sacrifice is fairly common in Kali Puja and in some places of Bengal, the worship happens at a cremation ground.
The day before Kali Puja is known as ‘Bhoot Chaturdashi’ (Indian Haloween) when 14 candles are burnt and 14 different kinds of leafy vegetables are eaten. It’s believed that all evil energies get shooed away with the light and warmth of candles. It’s also believed that good spirits of ancestors descend on earth and those earthen lamps show them the path. To this day, this custom is followed religiously in all Bengali households
When I was growing up, my parents always travelled during Durga Puja so I used to eagerly wait for Kali. The days before Kali Puja, my uncles would take me to a local fireworks store where they let me buy whatever I wanted. After that, we would come home and toast them in the sunlight. I was told that doing so helps to glow them better.
On the eve of ‘Bhoot Chaturdashi’, we lit 14 candles in the entire house.
The day of Kali Puja, mom would prepare biryani, chicken curry and sweets. As we sacrifice goat on that day, eating meat is very common in Bengali households. After having a hearty lunch and sleeping for a few hours in the afternoon, we would gather in the terrace to line the candles. After that we would come down and eat sweets and savories. When it was past 7, we would gather again on the terrace, light the candles and burn the crackers. After that, it was a family dinner. That was Kali Puja for us. It was not fancy, but I cherished every moment of those 2 days.
Here, we don’t have the luxury to burn firecrackers whenever we want, so I prepare sweets and savories for the two of us, light candles and decorate my home with a lot of flowers. Diwali is always a very special very intimate celebration for me, which I only like celebrating with my family.
Now, let’s talk about Diwali 2015, Gulab Jamuns and giveaway. As all of you know, I am doing a giveaway and giving away my favorite tripod. The giveaway is ending next week Nov 11th, which is the day of Diwali.
Who does not love Gulab Jamuns? They are sugar coated sweet bombs; they melt in your mouth in a moment. However, it is an extremely difficult subject to shoot. Despite being sick, I tried to take some pictures and I was not very happy – so I reshot again. If you’re a food photographer, research a few times before you shoot gulab jamuns.
I was about to sell or break my camera because I was that mad at them.
This gulab jamun recipe is the simplest and from my mom – it’s a fool proof recipe. I have used cardamom, pistachio and chopped cashew as stuffing, which I can strongly vouch for. I have used store bought Khoya or milk solids that you can easily find in Indian Stores. I prepare fresh paneer myself, which is very simple to do if you follow my steps. Anyway, before I start talking more about it, let me give you my giveaway details and then jump into the recipe.
Giveaway: Thank you, everyone, for participating in our last giveaway. I can’t shoot food pictures without a tripod. So, this time, I have decided to giveaway my all-time favorite – AmazonBasics 60-Inch Lightweight Tripod with Bag. In order to win this giveaway, tell me why you love/hate storyofcooks (hate words are fine too). I will choose the best response and send the gift to the winner. This is only limited to my US audience due to shipping costs.
Loved reading the post and knowing about how different celebrations happen in North east. Gulab Jumun looks really pretty in copper pot.
What negative can one possibly say about this blog that delivers recipe with so consistently, bring so many fun facts about Bengal to light that others took for granted. Indian food photographing hmm that is a learning curve I guess but its not as steep as u imagine it. 🙂
Hey,
I come from a South Asian background. I love reading through blogs related to food, herbs, tradition, photography and ethnic wear. That’s how I came across your blog. I love how specific your blog is. It’s not all over the place. Not to mention I love all the pictures you post. I got a camera about 6 months ago and slowly learning the basics of photography. Good luck continuing on building your portfolio:)
Happy Diwali (Deevapali)
Love,
Raji Ratnam
Wish you Happy Diwali too Raji. Thank you for your kind words
Thank you so much! 🙂
I should write what I love about your blog? – wow that’s the most difficult part..as I think I put all that I feel in words….I totally love your blog. It looks so neat, your recipes are awesome and very adaptable. The pictures…mind blowing and it’s hard to take my eyes off of it…which includes the food styling, props used, photography technique and last but not the least the food itself. your recipes are explained in detail and each recipe has a story and love to read it. 🙂
Last but not the least I understand it takes a lot of hard work, dedication and passion behind this lovely work you do. 🙂 Gr8 going Gal !! 🙂
I hate your blog.
I hate that you take pictures so beautiful and decadent that it is almost impossible to any kind of diet after seeing your pictures, like right now, i need a bowl of gulab jamuns, pronto!
I hate that your pictures are so inspiring and neat and easy to compose that they almost force us to be better. Hence, more work to do, which of course, I hate.
And I hate that, on top of everything else, you have written the most easy to read and decipher photography tutorials in a humanly understandable language, which is by the way how I found your blog. Yeah, like your pictures weren’t enough to inspire us all. Duh!
So, there, I said it. I hate your blog.
Now, since we have all my hatred in open, i will want to say thank you. Especially, for the pictures and tutorials. 🙂
I love your honesty and the way you said it! Seriously, thank you so much <3
Thank you so much Anu <3 It means a lot to me.
I am not really playing for the giveway but I would like to say why I love your blog is because its simple, earnest and honest. There is a trickle of love, aroma of food and spectacular photography. It is a blog that makes heart happy. Lots of love to you and keep doing what you do best! Spread the love of food!
I love reading stories and the stories you write are so fun to read. And the best part? They end in delicious recipes. – <3 Sreelatha
I love reading your blog article because of fascinating pictures. Your pictures surely catches my attention. I love to read some of your traditional bengali recipes to. Happy Kali Puja/Happy Diwali 🙂
Loved the post. Beautiful gulab jamuns – it’s one of my favorite dessert and trust me one of the hardest to photograph. It looks amazing ! keep up the great work.
Amazing work of art! Keep Rocking!!!