Almonds - Raisins Laddu

Almonds - Raisins Laddu is a sweet dish and it can be munched at any time of the day.It is one of the healthy, nutritious laddu with less ghee and its good for all age group

Ready to serve Almond -Raisins Laddu

Almonds are known for its healthy values. I have used almonds, raisins, roasted channa (hurikadale - Kannada language) and little cashews . Added jaggery for sweet taste. A tablespoon of ghee for nice flavour. Raisins are dry grapes.. (It is also called as Currents or Sultanas). 
Lets see some benefits of having Almonds and Raisins in our diet.
Almonds are packed with vitamins, minerals, protein and fiber. They are associated with a number of health benefits. One handful of almonds, around one ounce, contains one - eight of our necessary daily protein. Almonds are source of vitamin E, copper, magnesium. They contain high levels of healthy unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants. They are good for diabetes, lowering the cholesterol and control blood sugar in our body.
Raisians are rich source of energy, vitamins, electrolytes and minerals. They are rich in fiber, vitamins and anti oxidants. They help and lower the cholesterol and blood sugar levels. They act as anti cancer agents.They helps to ease the constipation problems. They are free of gluten, toxin and good alternative for people who suffer from gluten allergy. Raisins are rich sources of minerals like calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc. They also filled with healthy electrolyte potassium. It is good source of some B - Complex Vitamins.

Ready to serve Almond -Raisins Laddu

 Lets see the recipe now :

Things Needed :

Almonds : 1 Cup
Raisins  : 1 Cup
Roasted Channa (Hurikadale ) : 1 Small Cup ( 4 Tablespoons).
Cashew Nuts : 2 to 3 Table spoonsDry coconut  (Copra) : 1 (Small one )
Jaggery : 3/4 Cup
Cardamom :  5 to 6 pods.
Ghee : 2 Tablespoons.

Method :

1. Dry roast almonds slightly and dry grind coarsely. Add 1 teaspoon of ghee and fry cashews and raisins. Keep it aside.
2. Cut dry coconut and dry grind it nicely. Remove the outer cover of almonds and keep the pods aside.

3. Dry grind channa and cardamom into powder and keep it aside.

Roasted Channa (Hurikadale)

4.Keep a big pan on the fire and heat. Put jaggery and 1/2 (half) cup of water.

5. Let it melt on low flame. It starts to form bubbles. Check the consistency. It should be one string consistency.

6. Add dry ground almonds, dry coconut, channa powder mix, ghee fried cashews - raisins. and 2 spoon of ghee.

Adding dry ground coconut

Adding dry ground Almonds and fried cashews -raisins

7. Stir nicely and let it mix nicely. Put off the fire and pour the mixture into another big bowl.

Adding Roasted Channa dry ground powder

8. Take a handful of nut mixture and prepare laddu.

Add caption

9. If you find it difficult to form laddu, add warm milk or hot ghee on the top of the mixture and try to prepare.

After mixing every things.

Preparing Laddu

Ready to Serve Laddu

Note :

The jaggery syrup consistency should be exactly one string consistency. Or Laddu may turn hard or you may not be able to prepare laddu. (it may not be firm). Adding more ghee is optional. It adds to the taste. Remember the laddus prepared using warm milk may get spoiled within two days.Better keep them in fridge.
Preparation Time : 10 Minutes
Cooking Time : 2o Minutes
Total Time : 30 Minutes
20 to 25 Laddus can be prepared.

Almond -Carrot Kheer

Almond - Carrot Kheer is a sweet dish, prepared using jaggery and fresh milk. It is easy, tasty and we can have them at any time of the day. Cold or Hot both taste delicious. Fresh almond drink is always better as you know.  Here I used jaggery instead of sugar to make it completely healthy. You can use jaggery as you like more or less according to your wish. I used to prepare this kheer with using sugar for the sweetness. When I was just thinking to make the kheer little more healthy side, it flashed in my mind is that better use jaggey, that too with small portion.

This is a healthy drink for the whole family. Almonds, carrots and milk have lots of beneficial values in them. Lets see some benefits of eating Almonds.

Almonds help to lower the bad cholesterol. They protects artery walls from damage. Almonds help build strong bones and teeth. They provide healthy fats and aid in weight loss. almonds lower the rise in blood sugar and insulin after meals. They also help provide good brain function. They nourish the nervous system.

Milk  provides calcium which helps to maintenance of healthy bones and teeth. Calcium is also important for blood clotting and wound healing maintaining normal blood pressure. Milk is also one of the important nutrient found that helps with sleep, muscle movement, learning and memory. Milk is rich in potassium and Vitamin D. Milk also provides magnesium, phosphorus, Vitamin A, Vitamin B-6, and Vitamin B-12.

Here is a recipe of  " Almonds -Carrot Kheer " as I said it will be liked by all age group.

Things Needed :

Carrots : 2 To 3 (Medium sized)
Almonds : 15 ti 20 (or One Handful )
Jaggery : 1/2 Cup
Cardamom : 5 to 6
Milk : 2 Cups

 

Method :

1. Wash and scrape out the outer skin of carrots and cook with a cup of water.

2. Uncover the cardamom pods and powder it.

3. Keep a pan on the fire and put a cup of water. Put jaggery and let it melt nicely. Sieve the jaggery and keep the cleaned jaggery aside.

4. Put almonds in hot water and leave it for 10 minutes. Remove the almond skin.

5. Now grind almonds, crardamom pods and cooked carrots till paste. Remove the mixture from liquidizer and keep it aside.

6. Keep a big pan on the fire and put ground mixture and  cleaned jaggery . Mix it well and let it boil nicely.

 7. Now shift the boiled kheer to a serving bowl. Cool it and mix it with fresh milk when it is cooled a bit.

8. Serve ready "Almond -Carrot Kheer " at any time of the day.

Note :

Do not add more carrots since it overtakes the flavour. Using sugar is optional. It taste differ. Do not add any ghee or butter to it.Adding Cashew nuts will enrich the taste. I have not added it. Adding more or less jaggery is also an optional. Adding more water is also an optional. But it does not taste that good. Adding coconut milk is also an optional. It adds to the taste and richness to the kheer.

Time  : 20 minutes.
Serves :  5 to 6

Avocado & Almonds Smoothie

Avocado Almond Smoothie is a sweet dish and  prepared using Avacado, a few almonds and honey. It is easy and quick to prepare and healthy dish too.

Lets see some benefits of using  avacado and almonds in our daily diet.

Avocado is also known as alligator pear, aguagate and butter pear.
Avocados are rich in  dietary fibre, vitamins, contain healthy fats,  essential minerals and antioxidants. Avocado helps to lower the bad cholesterol level, control the blood pressure and regulate the blood sugar level. The fruits contain anti inflammatory properties.  Avocado helps to reduce the strokes and cure bad breath.
Almonds are complete source of energy and as well as nutrients. Almonds helps to reduce the bad cholesterol and increase the good cholesterol level. They are the rich source of Vitamin E.and they do not contain gluten. Almonds are loaded with Vitamin B - complex and Vitamin B-6. They are full of minerals like manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, zinc and magnesium. Handful of Almonds a day provides much of recommended levels of minerals, vitamins and protein.

Here is a recipe of Avocado & Almonds Smoothie that will help you to be cheerful and strong through out the day. It is easy and quick to prepare and honey instead of sugar is used to keep you fit.

Ingredients :

Avocado : 2
Almonds : Handful  (8 to 10)
Honey : 3 to 4 Table spoon.
Milk : 3 to 4 Table spoons of milk.

Method
1. Cut avocado in to halves and remove the seed.

2. Scoop out the fruity part from the avocado and keep it aside.
3. Dry roast almonds for 3 to 4 minutes on low flame and grate or dry grind them in to small and keep it aside.

4. Now grind the fruit pulp and a few almonds with honey in a liquidizer. Add 2 to 3 spoons of water or milk if required.

5. Remove Avocado Smoothie from the mixi jar  and put it in a bowl.
6. Serve this Smoothie with toppings of almond pieces.

Note :  Do not add more milk since it turns into milk shake. Smoothie taste better if it is bit thick. You can add sugar instead of honey. You can also add more honey if you wish to get more sweeter.  Adding more almonds lead to thicken the Smoothie.
Serves : 5
Time : 10 Minutes.

Spicy Cabbage Curry

Spicy Cabbage curry is a gravy - side dish. It goes very well with chapati, poori, roti, dosa and plain rice.

Lets see some benefits of using Cabbage:
Cabbage is incredibly nutritious, very low in fat and calories. Cabbage contains powerful antioxidants and help to reduce the bad cholesterol levels in the blood. Fresh cabbage is an excellent source of natural antioxidant, vitamin C, Vitamin - B 5, B -6 and Vitamin K. Cabbage contains minerals like potassium, manganese, iron an magnesium.

Here is a recipe of Spicy Cabbage Curry and we can serve them as one of the side dish. Mild spice and the taste will be liked by all age group. In this recipe I have not used garlic or onions.

Things Needed :
Cabbage : 3 Cups.(cut cabbage)
Green chilly : 3
Ginger : 1 Tea spoon (grated)
Almonds : 8 to 10
Garam Masala : 1/2 Tea spoon
Tomatoes : 2
Coriander leaves : 1/4 bunch
Jeera : 1/2 Tea spoon
Oil : 1 Tea spoon
Fresh cream :. 1 Table spoon
Lemon juice : 1 Table spoon.
Salt : Required
Water : 1 to 2 Cups

Method :
1.Wash and cut cabbage, green chilly and ginger, coriander leaves and tomatoes.

2. Pressure cook or Microwave cabbage using little water for 5 minutes.

3. Grind almonds, green chilly, tomatoes, coriander leaves and ginger till paste.

4. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add oil and jeera.
5. Fry jeera for 10 seconds. Add ground paste and stir for 2 to 3 minutes.

6. Add turmeric powder and garam masala and fry for 1 minute.
7. Add cooked cabbage and salt. Mix it well and cook for 5 minutes.
8. Add a spoon of fresh cream and mix it well again and shift the curry to a serving bowl.

 9. Add lemon juice and mix it well just before serving.

10.Serve with Chapati, roti or poori. You can serve this curry with Dosas too.

Note:

Cabbage must be cooked well so that it mixes well with spice. You can also add a spoon of butter instead of fresh cream. I have added the cream from the milk. ( From the top of just boiled milk).
You can add more chilly if you wish. Using garlic and onions is purely optional. You can also use fresh coconut while grinding. If you are using onions, fry onions and grind along with grinding masala or fry along with ground masala.
Time : 15 minutes
Servings : 4 to 5 

Almond + Besan Wheat Holige

Almond  ( Badami in Kannada ) + Besan (Kadale Hittu in Kannada language)  Wheat Holige is a sweet dish and you can enjoy these holiges  (pooran Poli) at any time of the day and all age group will surely like it.
Normally Holige is done with Maida. Here I have used wheat flour.

Eating Almonds yield many benifits like they reduce heart attack risk. They lower the bad cholesterol. They protect artery walls from damage. Almonds help build strong bones and teeth. They provide healthy  fats. They nourish the nervous system. They help provide good brain function. Using almonds have many more benifits.
Besan is naturally higher in protein, Contain good amount of vitamins and minerals and it is gluten free.
Wheat flour contains vitamins, protein and fiber.
Almond Besan Wheat Holige  stuffing is prepared using milk, sugar, almonds,besan and cardamom.
Outer layer dough is prepared with wheat flour instead of maida.
Almond + besan Holige can be had for lunch during festivals and also you can have them for evening snack. You can also pack them for your kid's lunch-box as snack for the school going kids.

Things Needed : 

For the stuffing  
Milk :1 cups
Sugar : 1 1/2 cups
Almonds : 1 Cup
Besan :  2 Table spoons
Coconut : 1/2 cup
Cardamom : 6 to 8 pods

For the outer layer
Things Needed :
Wheat flour : 2 Cups
Water : required
Salt : a pinch
Oil : 1 Cup

Method : 
For stuffing : Sweet mixture: (Hoorana)
1. Powder cardamom and Almonds, dry grind coconut and keep it aside.
2. Boil Milk and add sugar to it.
3. Add Almond powder to the milk and mix it well.
4. Keep stirring. Add dry ground coconut and besan to the mixture.
5. Stir continuously till it stars to leave the pan. Add a spoon of ghee.
6. Now remove the mixture and put it in a bowl. Let it cool.
7. Mix the mixture nicely when it cools and keep it aside.

Chapati dough ( The outer layer ) :
1. Take a bowl and put wheat flour and salt. Put required water and prepare chapati dough.

Now Almond + Besan wheat Holige.
1. Knead the chapati dough and divide them into small portion. (little bigger than lemon size).
2. Keep a small portion of  dry wheat flour in a small bowl.
3. Take a small ball and roll out to small papad size.

4. Keep a tablespoon of sweet mixture and cover the chapati from all side and bring it ball shape.
  ( like aloo stuffing).

5 Now take that sweet mixture ball and roll a little on dry wheat flour and roll like a chapati.

6 Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Sprinkle little oil on the pan.
7 Now put the sweet chapati on the pan and cook on both sides. Use little oil on both sides.

8 Repeat the same with remaining dough.
9. Serve Hot Amond + Besan Wheat Holige with a teaspoon of ghee on the top.

Note : Do the whole process of sweet mixture on low flame. If you feel the mixture is still liquidy use little more besan and mix it nicely. No need to add more ghee or oil to it. Once the mixture is cooled it thickens. You can reduce or add the amount of the sugar as your wish.
Serves :  3 to 4
Time : 40 min.

Cashew - Almond Laddu.

Cashew - Almond Laddu is very nutritious and healthy laddu. We can have them any time of the day and good for all age group and specially for kids. You can pack them in their Lunch box,. Not much of ingredients are needed to prepare laddu and it does not take much of your time and you can keep them for long time in air tight box.
Ingredients : 
Almond (Badam) : 1 Cup
Cashew nuts: 1 Cup
Jaggery : 1/4 Cup
Water : 2 Table spoons.
Ghee: 1 Table spoon

Ready  to serve Almond +Cashew Laddus.

Method :
1.Dry grind almond(with skin) and keep it aside. Roast cashew till brown and keep it aside.
2. Put ground almonds and roasted cashew nuts in a big bowl.
3. Now keep a pan on the fire. Put jaggery and two table spoons of water. Let it melt nicely. Stir in between..
4. Jaggery melts and starts to bubble. Let it bubble for 1 to 2 minutes. Pour this jaggery content in the almond+cashew mixture bowl.
5. Add a table spoon of fresh ghee and mix the mixture nicely. Take a handful of the mixture and prepare laddu.
6. Do the same with the remaining mixture.
7. Almond - Cashew Laddus are ready to serve now.  Keep these laddus when it is cool in a box.
Note : No need to roast the almonds. Roast cashew on low flame. You can use 1 tea spoon of ghee to fry cashew nuts. The jaggery should be boiled for at least 1 minutes. Over boiled jaggery mixture may turn the laddu  hard.
10 to 12 Laddus can be prepared.
Time : 10 to 15 minutes.