Top 4 delicious and nutritious winter desserts by Dietitian and Nutritionist Swati Bathwal

We are at the peak of winters in India and it is amidst New Year's celebration. Often in cold weather, we look for sweet foods to keep up warm. These soothing desserts uplifts our mood, keeps us warm and provides us instant source of energy. So, why not this winter, we make some delicious desserts which are nutritious and also mood uplifters. 

Beetroot Halwa

Beetroots are available in this season and are rich in iron, potassium, folic acid and magnesium and many more nutrients. In a nut shell, they are sweet and in this halwa you do not need to add extra sugar or sweetener. It is an excellent dessert for diabetes, pregnant woman, iron deficiency and for weight watchers. 

Serves 1

• 1 cup grated beetroot
• 1 teaspoon ghee
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar or jaggery powder
• 1 tablespoon khoya (optional) 
• 1/2 cup full cream milk
• 1 teaspoon fresh cardamom powder
• Cashews (optional)

Method

Boil and rinse beetroot. Grate them in the grater with thick blade.

• Add milk and beetroot in a pan and let it cook in low flame.
• Stir occasionally and keep a check on the temperature.
• Once beetroot starts to dry, add 1 tablespoon ghee and khoya.
• Stir for 2 mins.
• Keep the flame low. And add sugar.
• Once beetroot leave the sides of the pan add cardamom powder
• Serve warm with or without cashews.

Till Laddoo

Benefits of sesame seeds has long been explained in ayurveda and if consumed in winters, it provides a balanced diet. They are rich in omega 3, calcium, iron, magnesium and it is a powerhouse of minerals. Just a small laddoo can help you prevent various illness in winter.

Makes 10 laddoos

• 50 grams sesame seeds 
• ¼ cup desiccated coconut
• 100 grams jaggery
• 1 teaspoon cardamom powder

Method

• Heat a kadai or pan and on low heat roast sesame seeds. Remove and keep aside in a plate.
• In a pan add coconut and stir continuously and roast the coconut till it become light golden or golden. 
• Mix roasted coconut and sesame seeds and add cardamom powder.
• Mix very well. Keep aside.
• In the same pan on a low flame, take 1/2 heaped cup powdered jaggery or grated jaggery and 3 tbsp water. Keep on stirring the jaggery so that it dissolves. Take 1 tbsp water in a small bowl. Drop a bit of jaggery solution in the water. Remove it and it should be sticky and form itself into a soft ball.
• At this stage, switch off the flame and add the dry roasted mixture of sesame seeds, desiccated coconut and cardamom powder. Mix well.
• When the mixture is still hot, form sesame ladoo. Store in an airtight jar.

Nolengur Sandesh

This is a winter delicacy if you are in Bengal. Nolengur (Date palm jaggery) is available in winter season only and is an excellent source of nutrients. It is rich in iron and is also beneficial for gut health. And not to forget, this wonder sweetener is delicious. When combined with cottage cheese, it becomes a high protein dessert. 

Serves 4

• 1 cup Indian cottage cheese 
• 1/3 cup crushed date palm jaggery 
• 1 pinch green cardamom powder 
• for garnishing
• 4 tablespoons crushed pistacchios 

Method

• Combine jaggery and sandesh in a mixer grinder jar and grind to make a smooth paste for at least 5 minutes. If you want you can also add 1 pinch of green cardamom powder.
• Remove the mixture from the grinder jar and transfer it to a non-stick pan and cook it continuously stirring on low flame, you will observe the mixture becomes sticky.
• Cook till you get a uniform thick consistency and the mixture leaves the sides of the pan.
• Remove the mixture from the flame, cool down and then with the heel of your palm or the base of a flat metal bowl mash the mixture, to a uniform paste. Mash for at least 5 minutes!
• Take a small portion of the dough sufficient to make a small lemon size ball. Roll it in your palm. Then roll this ball between your palm to make balls then press it between your palm gently to form a thick circular shape.
• In the center of the circle gently make a light deep dent by pressing it with your thumb and place it on a plate.
• Repeat with the remaining dough to make rest Sandesh.
• Top it up with crushed pistacchios.

Carrot Halwa

Carrots are seasonal vegetables and with no doubt they are excellent source of carotenoids (Vitamin A). This vegetable halwa is an excellent dessert for children, anyone experiencing eye disorder, pregnant and lactating mothers and for people trying to gain weight. Ghee and Carrot both make an excellent combination of Vitamin A rich food. 

Serves 1

• 1 cup grated carrot
• 1 teaspoon ghee
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar 
• 1 tablespoon khoya (optional) 
• 1/2 cup full cream milk
• 1 teaspoon fresh cardamom powder
• Cashews (optional)

Method

• Boil and rinse carrot. Grate them in the grater with thick blade.
• Add milk and carrots in a pan and let it cook in low flame.
• Stir occasionally and keep a check on the temperature.
• Once carrot starts to dry, add 1 tablespoon ghee and khoya.
• Stir for 2 mins.
• Keep the flame low. And add sugar.
• Once carrots leave the sides of the pan add cardamom powder
• Serve warm with or without cashews.

Enjoy these desserts and Best wishes for New Years!

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