It’s that time of year when the entire country is immersed in celebrating various festivals across states. While each festival has its unique traditions, one common thread is the indulgence in sweet treats. Although these sweets are delightful, consuming them in excess can lead to health issues such as high blood sugar and weight gain. To enjoy the festive season while keeping your health in mind, consider incorporating nutritious ingredients like almonds into your sweets. Packed with 15 essential nutrients, including protein, healthy fats, dietary fiber, zinc, and calcium, almonds offer a range of health benefits, such as supporting weight management, controlling blood sugar levels, and lowering LDL cholesterol. Let’s take a look at some healthy bites recipes shared by MBBS and Nutritionist, Dr Rohini Patil.
Almond and Amaranth Bites
These bites are a fantastic choice for any festive celebration. Combining the nutty flavour of almonds with the crunchy texture of popped amaranth seeds, Almond and Amaranth Bites offer a delightful and nutritious treat. To make them, mix 50 grams of popped amaranth seeds with 50 milliliters of melted jaggery until well-coated. Then, fold in 30 grams of almond slivers, shape the mixture into bite-sized pieces, and let them cool for about 10-12 minutes.
Almond and Goji Berry Boondi Ladoo
For a festive twist on a classic treat, try making Almond and Goji Berry Boondi Ladoo. Start by preparing a sugar syrup with 1½ cups of sugar, a pinch of saffron, and ¾ cup of water, heating it until it reaches a single-string consistency. For the boondi batter, combine 1½ cups of besan (gram flour) with ½ teaspoon of cardamom powder and enough water to achieve the right consistency. Fry the boondis in hot oil until they are tender, then mix in ¼ cup of roasted almond slivers and 3 tablespoons of goji berries. Add a tablespoon of ghee to bind the mixture, shape into balls, and enjoy this nutritious treat during your Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.
Spiced Almond Tart
This festive season, consider making a Spiced Almond Tart. To prepare, preheat your oven to 180°C and roast 1 cup of almond flakes for about 4 minutes, or until golden. In a saucepan, caramelize 200 grams of sugar, then add 40 grams of unsalted butter and 200 millilitres of fresh cream. Allow the mixture to cool slightly. Meanwhile, crush 150 grams of Monaco biscuits into fine crumbs, mix with 20 grams of melted butter, and press the mixture into a 6-inch tart mould. Bake at 160°C for 10 minutes. Once the biscuit base is baked, combine the roasted almond flakes with the caramel sauce and spread it over the base.
Grilled Almond Burfi
For a simple yet indulgent treat, try making Grilled Almond Burfi this festive season. Begin by grating 500 grams of khoya and cooking it with 40 grams of sugar-free sweetener on low heat for 3-4 minutes. Stir in 1 cup of roasted and crushed almonds. Transfer the mixture to serving dishes, sprinkle a little more sweetener on top, and bake at 200°C until the sweetener caramelizes. Serve immediately for a delightful addition to your celebrations.
Almond Coconut Burfi
This recipe adds extra joy to your festive celebrations. Start by heating 1/3 cup of desi ghee in a pan. Stir in 1 cup of freshly grated coconut and 1/2 cup of ground blanched almonds, continuously stirring to prevent burning. When the mixture begins to come together, add 1 cup of sugar and keep stirring until it thickens and pulls away from the sides. Transfer the mixture to a greased baking sheet, flatten it to 1/4-inch thickness, and allow it to cool before cutting into squares. Once completely cooled, store in an airtight container.