Healthy Oat and Date Laddu | Oat and Date balls | No Added Sugar

Oat and Date Laddu

Healthy Oat and Date balls( Vegan, No added Sugar)
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 5 minutes
Maked: 15 to 18 laddus
Ingredients:

1. Olive oil /coconut oil- 2 tsp
2. Oats- 1 cup
3. Pistachios - 1/4 cup
4. Cashew nuts - 1/4 cup
5. Flax seeds - 2 to 3 tsp
6. Soft Dates - 20 to 24( or according to taste)

Instructions:

Heat  oil in  a pan,add oats,pistachios and cashew nuts.Fry for about 5 minutes over medium low flame.Allow it to cool slightly  and grind to form a coarse powder.

Add the oats and nuts powder to a mixing bowl.Add the pitted dates and flax seeds.

Mix well using your fingertips ,until combined.( use a food processor ,if desired.)Roll it into 1.5" balls.Store in an airtight container.

NOTES

• You can also use almonds ,walnuts or any other nuts of your choice.
•  Adjust the quantity of dates according to your taste.
• I halved the recipe as you can see in the pics.

Carrot Halwa | Gajar Halwa | Indian Sweet Recipes

Carrot Halwa

Popular Indian sweet/pudding made using grated carrots and milk.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 40 minutes
Serves: 5 to 6
Ingredients:

1. Ghee - 3 to 4 tbsp
2. Grated carrots - 4 cups( 4 to 5 large carrots)
3. Milk- 4 cups
4. Sugar - 3/4 cup( or to taste)
5. Cardamom powder- 1/4 tsp
6. Cashew nuts- 15 to 18
7. Ghee- to fry cashew nuts

Instructions:

Heat ghee in a heavy bottomed pan .

Add grated carrots and saute for 5 to 7 minutes.Next add milk and bring it to a boil.

Cook for about 10 to 15 minutes over low flame ,stirring well in between.Cook until the carrots are soft and the milk is evaporated.

Now add sugar and mix well.Cook until it turns thick for about 3 to 4 minutes,stirring well in between.Fry cashew nuts in ghee until it turns golden brown and add it to the halwa.Mix well and serve warm or chilled. and serve.

NOTES

• Adjust the quantity of sugar according to your taste.
• You can also add one pinch saffron along with the milk for better flavor.
• I actually scaled down the recipe to 1/2,as you can see in the pics.
  

Kaju Katli | Kaju Barfi | Indian Sweet Recipes

Kaju Katli

Kaju Katli- Poular Indian sweet made using cashew nuts.(Gluten Free cashew nut fudge)-
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Serves: 2 to 3
Recipe source: Vegrecipesofindia, you can find the original recipe here.
Ingredients:

1. Cashew nuts - 1 Cup( at room temperature)
2. Sugar - 1/2 Cup
3. Water - 5 tbsp
4. Ghee - 1 tbsp( for vegan version use coconut oil)
5. Saffron - 1 small pinch( or use 1 tsp rose petals)-this is optional

Instructions:

Grind cashew nuts to form a fine powder.( Be careful not to grind it too much,or you will end up with cashew nut butter).keep aside.

In a heavy bottomed pan,combine together sugar and water.Cook over low flame until sugar is completely dissolved.

Now add cashew nut powder and mix well.Cook over low flame,stirring continuously.

Cook the cashew nut mixture for about 7 to 9 minutes ,till the whole mixture comes together and turns more like a soft dough.Transfer the cashew nut mixture onto a plate.

Add ghee and  saffron /rose petals ( if using).When the heat of the mixture is fine to handle,knead the mixture lightly.( if the mixture is dry,you can add 1 or 2 tsp of milk).

Place the warm dough on a parchment paper or a greased plate. Place a sheet of parchment paper on top .Using a rolling pin,roll the dough to a thickness of  3 to 5 mm.

Cut into diamonds using a sharp knife.Allow it to cool completely.Store in an airtight container.

.NOTES

• Sieve the cashew nut powder to remove tiny bits ,if desired.