Diwali is an ancient Indian festival and the most awaited one at that. Be it bursting crackers, meeting relatives or savoring mouth-watering sweets, everyone has a special reason to make merry during Diwali Every state of India celebrates this festival of lights with its own special dessert recipes. In an attempt to avoid overindulgence, here are some healthy sweets and desserts that you can try this festive season:
1 . Sesame Seeds Laddoo
-For a change, you can avoid the boondi laddoos this Diwali and instead opt for sesame which is a rich source of calcium and magnesium.
-This laddoo is prepared by dry roasting the sesame seeds and then grinding them to a powdery texture along with sugar and cardamom powder.
-You can replace sugar with jaggery which is a healthier option too. Add roasted peanut chunks to the laddoos for a crunchy twist.
2 . Pumpkin Delight
-Forget the calorie-rich kheer and choose pumpkin this season to add the extra fibre and goodness of Vitamin A to your pumpkin payasam.
-You can make this dessert using all healthy ingredients like mashed pumpkin, milk, sago, cardamom powder and a pinch of saffron.
3 . Ragi Treat
-Why not embrace ragi as your favorite cereal and make some mouth-watering delicacy out of it.
-Ragi or finger millet is known for its high protein and mineral content.
-Combine ragi with the grand flavors of saffron and cardamom, roasted peanuts and dried coconut and you can make some healthy and delicious barfi.
-Add jaggery for the sweetness. You can easily replace the usual high calorie kaju barfis with this delicious treat.
4 . Coconut Macaroons
-Some delicious macaroons can be baked with the healthiest ingredients like coconut, eggs, vanilla essence and sugar to taste and absolutely no oil content.
-Once out of the oven, they have a hard texture and equally chewy feel from the inside.
-They make the best choice for an evening snack and are filled with goodness of coconut which help in digestion and also add a glow to your skin.
5 . Date Laddoos
– Dates ( khajoor) are known for their iron content. Try to rope in the vitamins and minerals of dates to use them for ladoos instead of using besan (gram flour).
-In this recipe, dates are mashed till soft , heated in a pan with little coconut oil and then sesame powder is added to them while kneading them into a dough.
-Add pieces of roasted cashew and cardamom powder to the kneaded dough for the flavor. When ready, roll them over sesame seeds for both the look and the taste.
-This is yet another treat for your sweet tooth without the harmful effects of either sugar or ghee (clarified butter)
Also Read: Cardamom Health Benefits
6 . Oats Barfi
-When it comes to health, none can forget the ubiquitous oats. From breakfast to snacks, oats are the perfect choice for the health freak.
-This Diwali make your favorite barfi with oats, anjeer (fig), dates, pistachios and flax seeds.
-Use a little coconut oil in a pan and heat the mashed dates and coarsely ground roasted oats.
-Add the other ingredients with a pinch of saffron and spread the dough it out in a flat dish.
-Cut them into sizes you love and relish them with family.
Enjoy this Diwali with your favorite sweets but without the sense of guilt with these exotic yet healthy recipes. Happy Diwali!