SATISFY YOUR SWEET TOOTH THE HEALTHY WAY THIS DIWALI
Diwali, the festival of lights, is a time for celebration, meeting family and friends and of course, indulgence in delicious sweets. While traditional Diwali sweets are undeniably tempting, they often come loaded with sugar and unhealthy fats, which can leave you feeling heavier and unhappy after the festivities. But there are ways to enjoy the season and still keep your health goals on track. You can enjoy the essence of Diwali without compromising your health by trying out these guilt-free and nutritious sweet recipes.
Oats/ Amaranth and Dry Fruits Ladoo
Ingredients:
- 1 cup rolled oats/ puffed rajgira
- 1/2 cup mixed nuts (almonds, cashews, pistachios)
- 1/4 cup dates (pitted and chopped)
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
- 1/4 cup desiccated coconut
Method:
- Roast the oats in a pan until they turn slightly brown.
- Grind the nuts first and then raisins with dates into a coarse mixture.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the ground mixture, roasted oats,cardamom powder, and desiccated coconut.
- Shape the mixture into small round ladoos and let them set in the refrigerator for a couple of hours.
Baked Guilt-Free Gujiya/ Karanji
Ingredients:
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup semolina (sooji)
- 1 tablespoon any nut butter
- 1 cup grated coconut
- 1/4 cup jaggery (or sugar substitute)
- 1/4 tsp cardamom powder
- A handful of chopped dry fruits
Method:
- In a mixing bowl, combine whole wheat flour, semolina, and nut butter to form a crumbly texture.
- Add a little water at a time and knead it into a firm dough.
- For the filling, heat a non-stick pan and roast the grated coconut, jaggery, cardamom powder, and dry fruits until they blend well.
- Roll out small portions of the dough into circles, place a spoonful of the filling, and fold it into a half-moon shape.
- Place the gujiyas on a baking tray and bake at 180°C (350°F) for about 15-20 minutes or until they turn golden brown.
Almond and Coconut Barfi:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1 cup desiccated coconut
- 1/2 cup jaggery syrup
- 1/4 cup almond milk or plant based milk
- 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
- Sliced almonds for garnish
Method:
- In a pan, roast the almond flour and desiccated coconut until they turn slightly golden and fragrant.
- In a separate saucepan, heat the almond milk and jaggery syrup until it starts to simmer.
- Mix the roasted almond-coconut mixture and cardamom powder into the saucepan. Stir well.
- Continue to cook and stir until the mixture thickens and leaves the sides of the pan.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased plate and press it down evenly.
- Garnish with sliced almonds and let it cool before cutting it into squares or diamonds
Ragi (Finger Millet) Ladoo
Ingredients:
- 1 cup ragi (finger millet) flour
- 1/2 cup grated jaggery
- 2 tbsp coconut butter
- A pinch of cardamom powder
- Chopped nuts for garnish
Method:
- Roast the ragi flour in a pan until it releases a nutty aroma.
- In a separate pan, melt grated jaggery and coconut butter. Stir until it dissolves.
- Combine the roasted ragi flour, cardamom powder, and the jaggery-coconut butter mixture.
- Roll the mixture into small ladoos, garnish with chopped nuts, and let them cool.
This Diwali, satisfy your sweet cravings with these healthy and guilt-free recipes that not only taste delicious but also provide essential nutrients and energy. By making these mindful choices, you can ensure that your celebrations are both joyful and health-conscious. Share these recipes with your loved ones, and together, let’s make this Diwali a celebration of good health and happiness. Wishing you a happy and Healthy Diwali!