Ragi & Nuts Laddu

Ragi and Nuts laddu is a sweet dish and you can  relish these laddu in the morning as energy booster.

Ragi & Nuts Laddu has lots of dates, almonds, cashews, little figs and very little ghee. I have also used fresh rose petals which we get from our home garden. It has turned the laddu very tasty.
I tried these laddu for taking it for travelling and also packed some to give it for my sisters. Laddu is good to bite at any time of the day and provides good energy to stay cheerful whole day.

Let us see some benefits of eating dates in our diet.

Dates are very nutritious. They are a source of antioxidants. They can help to reduce blood pressure.
Dates are good for brain health.They are good for bone health. They are rich in fiber. They are rich in antioxidants. They help in controlling the blood sugar level. They are good natural sweetener.
No Sugar or jaggery added in this Ragi&Nuts Laddu.
 It is good for any age group. Good to pack for kids snack, ladies day out, travel and picnics.
Used a pack of dates instead of sugar or jaggery.
Let us see the recipe now :

Ingredients :

Ragi flour : 1/2 Cup
Dates : 500 Grams.
Almonds : 1/2 Cup.(20 to 25).
Cashews : 2 Tbs
Coconut : 1 Cup (5 to 6 tbs).
Rose petals : 2 Rose flowers.
Gasagase/ Poppy Seeds : 1 Tbs full.
Figs : 3 to 4
Ghee : 2 Tablespoons

Method :

1. Take out the seeds from dates and put it in a pan. Keep on the fire and stir slowly. As you stir,  hot dates turn soft. You must do it on low flame, so that it does not get burnt.

2. Grate coconut. Cut almonds and cashews in to small pieces.

3. Dry roast 1/2 cup of Ragi flour and put it in a big bowl.

4. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add dates and stir slowly till they turn soft.

5. Put off the fire and take out the dates to a big bowl.
6. Add grated coconut to a pan and dry roast. Add poppy seeds and roast for a minute.

7. Take it out and put it to a big bowl. Cut figs into small pieces and add it to dates mixture.

8. Just stir rose petals in that hot pan. (No need to be kept on fire). Add this to a big bowl).

9. Now kneed dates nicely.
10. now add roasted coconut, poppy seeds, cut almonds and mix it slowly while you kneed dates.

11. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Put 2 tbs of ghee and fry cashews nicely till it turns golden brown.

12. Add this fried cashews with ghee to dates bowl and kneed it again to get good form of sweet ball.

13. See that all the ingredients mixes well.

14. Take a handful of the mixture and make laddu. Laddu is ready to serve.

15. Serve or eat as you like and keep the rest in a box.

 Note :
When you stir dates it turns soft and it is easy to smash it to soft texture. No sugar or jaggery is added here. You can powder almonds and add it to the Laddu. Adding pieces of almonds taste better. (Optional). Adding coconut is optional.
Time : 30 Minutes.
Serves  30 Laddus can be prepared. ( According to the size you want).

Time : 30 Minutes.

Simple Laddu

Lovely laddus are good to have to boost your energy. I try and make it as simple as they are but a healthy way. These laddu is filled with soft dates, lots of raisins, almonds and cashew pieces with poppy seeds. They are real energy booster, healthy filler and delicious crave builders.

There is no cooking here to prepare these laddus. It is as simple as it is. No cooking on fire, no ghee, no jaggery or sugar or any other forms of sweets except the soft dates.
It is good for kids snack box, good to take it for travel, good energetic when you feel tired. It is good for people who diet and it is diabetic friendly.
Let us see the recipe now :

Ingredients :

Dates Soft and fruity dates : 500 Gr
Raisins : 2 Cups or 200 Gr
Almonds : 200 Gr.
Cashews : 100 Gr.
Poppy Seeds : 50 Gr.

Method :

1.Remove the pods from dates and keep it aside.
2. Cut almonds and cashews into small pieces and keep it aside.
3. Now put dates, almonds, cashews, raisins in a big bowl.
4. Kneed them together. Add poppy seeds/ gasgase to the dates mixture.
5. Mix all the ingredients nicely and prepare laddu.
6..Take a handful of the almond, dates, raisins and cashew mixture and make small round ball shape laddu.

7. Laddu is ready to eat /serve.

8. Keep them in a steel box or air tight container.

Note :

Use very soft dates. Smash them nicely and then add all the other dry fruits you use. You can powder the nuts instead cutting. But you can relish the bigger pieces. No sugar/jaggery or any other sweet content is not added. Use of more raisins helps to add the sweet to laddu and good for health. You need to kneed them well to get the perfect taste. no ghee or oil is added here.
 Time : 30 Minutes.
15 to 20 Laddus  or according to the size you prefer.

Dates and poppy seeds Burfi

Dates and Poppy seeds burfi is a healthy burfi, that I have tried during this Deepavali. No sugar or jaggery is added to this bar and is nice to chew the healthy, yummy and easy  Dates and poppy seeds.

I have used Dates, almonds, cashews, raisins, figs and poppy seeds.
It is an easy and healthy burfi that all age group can enjoy and more of it it is diabetic friendly. Sweet teeth people can munch this burfi at any time of the day. Good to carry for travelling and good snack for the kids snack box. It is energetic and loaded with good minerals and vitamins.
I prepared this Dates burfi during Deepavali and packed it as one of the sweet to our relations.
Dates and Poppy Seeds Burfi Has NO Sugar, NO Ghee or any fat and No Coconut.
Preferably use ripe and soft Dates to prepare this burfi.
Let us see the recipe now :

Ingredients 

Dates : 400 Grams
Raisins : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Almonds : 20 to 25
Cashews : 10 to 15
Figs : 5 to 6
Poppy Seeds : 3 to 4 Tablespoons

Method :

1. Remove the seeds from Dates and put it in a big bowl.
2. Cut cashew nuts and figs into small pieces.

3. Dry grind almonds into powder consistency.
4. Put all the dry fruits into a big bowl. Kneed them well and let it mix well. ( Dates, raisins, cut cashews, figs and powdered almonds).
5. Spread a tablespoon of poppy seeds in a tray or plate.
6. Put dry fruits dough in the tray and press it evenly. Use chapati roller to even it in equal level.

7. Spread remaining poppy seeds on the top of the burfi and just press it slightly.

8. Leave it for a while. Cut it according to your desired shape.

9. Remove from the tray and store in a box.

10.  Serve or munch at any time of the day.

Note :

The dates you use should be soft. You need to kneed the mixture nicely so that it mixes well and sets well as burfi. Dates proportion should be more, so that it adds to the sweet taste. The sweet taste is natural and good for all age group and the diabetic people.
Time : 30 Minutes. 
Serves : 20 Pieces. ( According to size and shape ).

Watermelon & Muskmelon Juice

Hot Hot Hot it is still hot. You need to take care to keep you cool. Drinking water, juices and Buttermilk and Tender coconut helps you to take care. Eating fruits and preparing fruit juices and having them is a good relief in summer.

Lets just make some simple juices at home which is always a a healthy habit. One needs to look at the cleanliness when you consume them outside. Or you might land on trouble of infections or food poisoning.
Here are some simple juices from fruits which are available plenty in summer. Watermelon and Muskmelon (Karbooja and Kallangadi) fruits are loaded with water and it helps you keep our body cool. It is simple and healthy.
Lets see some benefits of having Muskmelon in our diet. 
It is one of the ideal summer fruit since it contain high in water, minerals and vitamins. It helps to take care of health disorders and cools our body. Muskmelon provides relief from acidity. It is good for digestion and stomach problems. It contain good amount of water and dietary fibers and helps people to get relief from constipation. They are rich in potassium and helps to regulate the blood pressure. It strengthens the eye sight since they contain Vitamin A and beta carotene and reduce the risk of developing cataracts. Eating Muskmelon helps to control diabetes and regulate the blood sugar level in the body. They are cholesterol free and boost immunity. They are rich in Vitamin C and helps to prevent ulcer. Not only all the above said benefits, they do help in many more ways. They are good for quitting smoking, for women menstrual cramps, cures sleeping disorders and prevents heart diseases.
Lets see the recipes now : They are simple and quick and helps to quench your thirst and keep you cool.
I have prepared 3 varieties of Juices from WaterMelon, Muskmelon/Cantaloupe fruits.
1. Watermelon Juice 
2. Muskmelon Juice 
3. Muskmelon & Watermelon Juice.

1. WaterMelon Juice

Things Needed : 
Watermelon pieces : 1 Bowl
Honey : 2  to 3 Tablespoons

Method :
1. Cut watermelon pieces into small and add honey.

2. Grind it nicely in the mixi jar. (Do not add any water) till they turn watery completely.

3, Shift the Juice to serving glass and serve.

Note :
I have not added any water, sugar or Ice. Adding these ingredients are optional.
Time : 10  Minutes
Serves : 2

2. Muskmelon/Cantaloupe Juice.

Things Needed :
Muskmelon : 1 Bowl
Water :  1 Glasses
Boiled and cooled milk : 1 to 1  1/2 cup
Jaggery : 2 Tablespoons

Method :
1. Cut muskmelon pieces into small pieces

2. Put it in a mixi jar. Add 1/2 cup of milk and grind.
3. Add jaggery and churn it for 1 minute.

4. Remove from the mixi jar to a bowl. Add required water and remained milk.

5. Mix it well and serve

Note :
Adding more milk, sugar instead of jaggery and adding ice while serving is optional.
Time : 10 minutes
Serves : 2

3. Muskmelon & Watermelon Juice

Things Needed : 
Muskmelon pieces : 1 Big bowl. (1/2 of one small Muskmelon).
Watermelon pieces : 1 Small bowl.( 1/4 part of small watermelon).
Honey : 2 Tablespoons

Method :
1. Cut muskmelon pieces and grind it with little water.
2. Add watermelon pieces and grind it together.  Add jaggery



3. Add Honey and Shift the juice to a big bowl.

4. Add honey and mix it well and serve Muskmelon & Watermelon Juice.

Note : 
Adding sugar instead of honey, adding milk instead of water and adding ice cubes while serving the juice is purely optional.
Time : 15 minutes.
Serves : 2 to 3.

Carrot Poori

Carrot Poori is a fried dish. This is another version of our Mangalore buns. Mangalore buns are very famous in Udupi, Mangalore and Malnaadu places. This poori can be prepared immediately just after mixing the flour.

Carrot Sweet poori can be eaten for breakfast, as snack or even for dinner. It is easy and quick to prepare and it does not take (absorb) much oil.

Lets see some benefits of having curd (yogurt) in our diet.
Curd is one of the important part of Indian diet. It has a number of health and nutritional benefits. Eating curd every day helps our body system cool. It improves our digestive system and helps to get rid of stomach problems. It boosts our digestion. It is high in calcium and protein. It works as an energy booster. It works as an antioxidant. Curd is stress buster and increases immunity. It is also good for hair and skin.
Carrot Poori is good to pack for school kids as sanck, traveling, ladies get together, kitty parties even Navaratri prasadam. (Prepare smaller pooris to give it to kids who visits to see the dolls kept at home).

Things Needed :

Wheat flour : 1 Cup
Maida : 1 Cup 
Carrots : 2
Banana : 1
Curd : a small cup
Ghee : 1 Teaspoon
Jeera/Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Cooking soda : a pinch (optional)
Salt : a little
Oil : 1 Cup (to fry)

Method : 

1. Wash and scrape out the carrot outer skin, wash it again and grate it.

2. Take a big bowl. Add grated carrots, banana, ghee, jeera/cumin seeds and salt.
3. Add a small cup of curd and smash banana and mix all the ingredients nicely.
4. Add maida/plain flour, wheat flour and prepare the dough. ( Do not add any water ).

5. Allow the dough to rest for  5 minutes.
6. Kneed the dough well and divide it into small ball size. Just roll them as round and  keep it aside.
8. Keep oil for heating on the fire. Keep a spoon of oil separately in small plate.
9.. Now take a ball size dough and dip in the oil (which is kept in a small plate and roll poori.

10. Arrange the rolled pooris in a plate. Fry them in hot oil on both sides and remove it from oil and put it on a kitchen tissue.

11. It helps to absorb extra oil. Repeat the same with remaining dough and prepare pooris.

12. Serve Carrot, Sweet Pooris with chutney or any other curry you have prepared.

Note : 

Use of cooking soda is optional. I have not used it. Curd helps the dough to be soft. Adding sugar is optional. Adding sugar adds to the taste. If you feel the dough is too watery use little wheat flour and bring it to needed poori dough consistency. You can use dry wheat flour instead of oil to dip before rolling the poori. Use of oil helps the frying oil to be clean. Use of more banana is optional. (It takes more flour. You can use only wheat flour instead of adding maida. (Plain flour).
Time : 30 Minutes.
Serves : 3 to 5  ( 20 small porris can be prepared).