‘Holi Hai’! It's that time of the year when we forget all our worries and enjoy our heart out. From splashing colours on each other while letting go our bad thoughts to celebrating, Holi is one the most joyous festivals celebrated in India. And when we talk of a festival, we can’t avoid talking about food. Every festival has a special food trail associated with it and Holi is no exception.
From gujiya to malpua, from dahi vade to thandai, there are some delights that we always wait to relish at the time of Holi. But if you notice, all these dishes are either fried or loaded with sugar. If you are a health freak and worrying about what to have in Holi this year, we have sorted everything out for you. For you, we have brought the recipes of traditional dishes but with a healthier twist. Believe me, once you taste these, you will forget how the fried versions tasted like. Excited? Here you go!
Baked Gujiya
We all have had fried gujiya but this time, try some baked gujiyas and have a healthy and guilt-free Holi. Here’s how you can make it at home.
Image: Baked Gujiya
Ingredients
- 500 gm all-purpose flour
- Pinch of salt
- 200 gm margarine
- 250 ml water
- 100 gm coconut powder
- 100 gm sugar
- 500 gm mawa
- 100 gm cashews
- 200 gm raisins
- 20 gm chirounji
- Pinch of cardamom powder
Method
- Take a parat and add maida or all-purpose flour to it. Add oil, water and salt. Mix and knead properly.
- Cover the dough with moist cloth and rest it for at least 30 to 40 minutes.
- Then, roll the dough and spread margarine in the center. Seal the ends and form an envelope. Let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes and roll again. Book fold and let it rest again.
- Roll the dough again and cut it into roundels. Meanwhile, take a bowl and add khoya, raisins, cardamom powder, sugar, chirounji, cashews and mix well.
- Take a spoonful of this mixture and fill it in the rolled gujiya. Seal the gujiya and place it on the baking tray. Using a brush, spread a layer of milk over them.
- Bake the gujiya at 230 degrees Celsius for 25 to 30 minutes. When done, take out and garnish with nuts. Serve!
Sugar-Free Malpua
Malpuas that too sugar-free? Yes, you read that right. Instead of sugar, you have to use jaggery and you are good to go.
Ingredients
- 1 cup maida
- 1 tbsp semolina or sooji
- ½ cup jaggery powder
- 1 tsp saunf or fennel seeds
- ½ tsp crushed black pepper
- ¾ cup milk
- 2 tbsp ghee
Method
- Take a bowl and add maida, jaggery powder, semolina, crushed black pepper and fennel seeds.
- Slowly add milk and make a batter. Make sure the batter is lump free but thick. Whis the batter nicely for 4 to 5 minutes and then, let it rest for 25 to 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat the ghee in a frying pan. Then, add a ladle full of batter and pour it on the pan. Shallow fry it in low to medium heat.
- When the malpuas become slightly thick, flip them and cook from both sides. When done, turn off the flame.
- Drain the excess ghee and serve hot!
Try these healthy recipes and let us know which one you liked the most!