Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most anticipated festivals across India and is especially popular in Maharashtra. During the 10 day period of Ganesh Chaturthi, people celebrate Lord Ganesha, bringing him into their homes and seeking his blessings before returning him to nature on the tenth day. This festive period is also marked for many by a period of fasting from certain foods to align with a pure Sattvic diet. Since it’s also a time when many people visit friends and family, making your guests some tasty snacks can get a little more complicated.
If you’re looking for some recipes that follow these fasting rules but are still delicious, then try out these three snack recipes made with cheese. From tasty potato shots to cheesy fries and the classic street food special sev puri, here are some options that all your guests will love.
Potato Cheese Shots – Serves 4
Prep Time: 20 minutes, Cooking Time: 15 minutes
These simple fried potato bites with melted cheese are the perfect nibbles to accompany your evenings.
Ingredients
| Quantity | Ingredients |
| 2 | Potatoes, mashed |
| 1 cup | Britannia The Laughing Cow Mozzarella – Diced |
| 2 tbsp | Amaranth flour |
| 1 tsp | Rock salt (Sendha namak) |
| 1 tsp | Black pepper |
| 1 tsp | Coriander, chopped |
| As needed | Oil |
Method
- In a mixing bowl, combine the mashed potatoes and Britannia The Laughing Cow Mozzarella – Diced.
- Add the rajgira flour, rock salt, black pepper, and chopped coriander to the mixture. Mix well to form a dough-like consistency.
- Take small portions of the mixture and shape them into small, round balls.
- Heat oil in a pan for deep frying.
- Once the oil is hot, fry the potato cheese shots until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from oil and drain on a paper towel to remove excess oil and serve with your favourite sauce or chutney.
Cheesy Sweet Potato Fries – Serves 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes, Cooking Time: 25 minutes
This is a delightful twist on a classic favourite, combining the crispy texture of sweet potato fries with a gooey, melted cheese topping.
Ingredients
| Quantity | Ingredients |
| 3 | Sweet potatoes, sliced |
| 8 | Britannia The Laughing Cow Cheese Slices |
| 1/2 tsp | Rock salt (Sendha namak) |
| 1 tsp | Black pepper |
| 1 tsp | Cumin powder |
| As needed | Oil or ghee |
Method
- Preheat the oven to 200°C
- In a large mixing bowl, toss the sweet potato fries with ghee or oil, rock salt, black pepper, and roasted cumin powder.
- Spread the fries on a baking tray in a single layer.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the fries are crispy and golden, flipping them halfway through.
- Once baked, layer the Britannia The Laughing Cow Cheese Slices over the fries and return to the oven for another 2-3 minutes until the cheese melts.
- Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
- Serve hot with chutney or sauce.
Cheese Sev Puri – Serves 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes, Cooking Time: 5 minutes
This classic street food gets a new twist with the help of creamy Britannia The Laughing Cow Cheese Block grated on top to amp up the flavours of every bite.
Ingredients
| Quantity | Ingredients |
| 16 | Puris |
| 1/2 cup | Britannia The Laughing Cow Cheese Block, grated |
| 2 | Potatoes, boiled and mashed |
| 1 tsp | Rock salt (Sendha namak) |
| 1 tsp | Black pepper |
| 1 tbsp | Coriander, chopped |
| 1/2 cup | Nylon sev |
| As needed | Mayonnaise |
| As needed | Tamarind chutney |
| As needed | Green chutney |
Method
- In a bowl, mix the boiled and mashed potatoes with rock salt, crushed black pepper, and chopped coriander.
- Place the puris on a serving plate.
- Add a spoonful of the potato mixture on top of each puri.
- Sprinkle grated Britannia The Laughing Cow Cheese Block on top of the potato mixture.
- Add a little nylon sev over the cheese.
- Drizzle the chutneys and mayonnaise over the puris.
- Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.