Dry fruits -Rock Candy Laddu

Dry Fruits laddu with Rocky Candy is a healthy dish and can be munched on any time of the day.
I have used dried figs dried and fresh dates, little almonds and cashews

Deepavali is here and its nice to prepare some sweets which can be distributed to friends and relatives. Lets think of our health and turn the sweet which we prepare to be less of sugar. Let the       love fill with sweetness. So here is one such try. As I say always Dry fruits -Rock Candy Laddu is an easy dish and anybody can try it. Nothing to roast or fry. Almost no fire dish is this Laddu.
Lets see the benefits of Using Rock Candy in our diet.
Rock candy is loaded with healthy benefits and it is widely used in sweet preparations. It is used as mouth freshener. It is unrefined form of sugar and considered as healthy. It is good remedy for running nose (cold) and sore throat. Rock candy is widely used as refreshing drink. It helps to relax our body and mind. It provides energy.
Lets see the recipe Now : These laddus are healthy to have and good for kids.

Things Needed: 

Dried Figs : 10
Dried Dates : 10
Fresh Dates : 10 to 15
Almonds : 10 to 15
Rock Candy (Kallu Sakkare) : 3 to 4 Pieces.
Cashew pieces : 1/2 Cup

Method :

1. Remove the seeds from figs and dates.

2. Dry grind all the dry fruits except cashew pieces.

3. Now put all dry ground powder in a big bowl.
4. Add cashew pieces and mix it nicely.

5. Divide the mixture into small quantity.
6. Now take a small portion and prepare laddu  (round shape)

7. Healthy Laddus are ready to serve or eat.

Note :

No need to add any ghee or butter while preparing laddu. Fresh laddus helps to prepare the laddu easily. Roasting or frying nuts are optional. (I have not roasted or nor fried the nuts). You can add any dry nuts of your choice. Adding more Rock candy is optional. I have added only 3 to 4 small pieces.
Time : 20 Minutes.
15 Laddus can be prepared . (Small size).

Alasande - Oggarane (Cow Peas Snack)

Usli /kalu oggarane/ kosumbari /sundal what ever you call is is  simply some legumes or vegetables which are seasoned and ready to eat as they are. Dals like moong/whole moong/channa can be mixed with salads and eaten raw. We South Indians (normally in Karnataka), we call it as Kosumbari.
Here I have soaked and cooked cow pea and seasoned with mustard jaggery and coconut.

This is one of the traditional dish, which normally done during the harvest season. It is one of the evening snack on the last day of planting the paddy plant during the heavy rainy season. I used to enjoy eating this in my childhood days since I stayed with my aunt who had paddy field. She is one of the hard worker too. She used to cook this for at least 15 to 20 people, and in those days there was no gas provision or pressure cooker. The whole process has to be done with fire wood. Sitting in front of the firewood and see that it has been cooked to soft texture. (Not over cooked).
Lets see some benefits of eating Cow Pea in our diet.
Cow peas is loaded with number of health benefits. It is good for improving our digestion. It is also good for people who suffer from sleeping disorders, it control and balances the diabetes and protect our heart. It helps to detoxify the body and also good for weight loss, strengthen our blood circulation and good for healthy skin. Cow pea is filled with dietary fiber and helps to ease the constipation problems and it takes care of our heart and balances cholesterol level in our body. It has a good amount of Vitamin B 1, Vitamin A, Vitamin C. Cow pea is less in calories. It also helps and boost to protect our immune system. Cow Pea is filled with magnesium and it helps to balance the blood sugar level. Cow peas is loaded with high level of iron and it helps recover from anemia, and iron is necessary to produce red blood cells.
Lets see the recipe now. 
Alasande Oggarane/ Cow Pea Snack is an easy dish and it can  be eaten as snack and can be used as one of the side dish too. It can be prepared and serve during the pooja, festival or feast. Since it is protein rich you can pack it for kids for snack time.
No Garlic or No Onion in this Alasande Oggarane. (Cow Pea Seasoning).

Things Needed : 

Cow Peas : 1 Bowl
Coconut : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Jaggery : 1 to 2 Tablespoons
Red chilly : 2
Green chilly : 2
Mustard seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Urid dal : 1 Teaspoon
Ingh/Asafoetida : A pinch
Coconut Oil : 1 Tablespoon
Curry leaves : 6 to 8 leaves
Coriander Leaves : 2 Tablespoons
Salt : As required

Method :

1. Wash and soak Cow Peas over night or 6 to 8 hours.
2. Cook them with required water till soft. (Pressure cook for 6 to 8 minutes with little water).

3. Grate coconut and keep it aside.
4. Wash curry leaves, green chilly and coriander leaves and cut them into small. Keep it aside.
5. Now keep a pan on the fire and heat. Put coconut oil mustard seeds. red chilly and urid dal.
6. Let the mustard seeds splutter. Add curry leaves and ingh/asfoetida.
7. Now add cooked Alasande/cow pea, green chilly,  Mix it slowly and nicely.

8. Add turmeric powder, salt and jaggery. Let it cook on low flame and jaggery melts.

9. Let all the moisture disappear. Mix it again and add fresh grated coconut.

10. Add cut coriander leaves and mix it well. Shift the ready Alasande Oggarane to a serving plate.

Note :

You can add green chilly instead of red chilly or use both type of chilly. Use of coconut oil is optional. (Coconut oil adds to the taste and aroma). Adding jaggery is optional. We like the sweet taste in alasande.
You can use black channa/kabooli channa /whole moong/ fresh ground nuts instead of Cow peas.
Time :
Soaking time : 6 to 8 Hours
Cooking : 30 Minutes.
Serves : 4 to 5