Winters bring with them a heightened craving for comfort food, and it’s no surprise that desserts play a starring role in these seasonal indulgences. Contrary to popular belief, enjoying a sweet treat during winter doesn’t have to sabotage your health goals. In fact, with the right ingredients and preparation methods, you can relish delicious desserts without worrying about weight gain and its associated health risks.

The Healthier Side of Halwa

Traditional halwa recipes often involve generous amounts of sugar, cream, and fats, but we’ve curated a collection of low-fat halwa recipes that are not only guilt-free but also bursting with flavours. These recipes leverage seasonal and nutritious ingredients, ensuring that your sweet tooth is satisfied without compromising your well-being.

Beetroot Halwa: A Vibrant Twist to Winter Desserts

Ingredients:

Beetroot (4 medium-sized) approx. 400 grams

Jaggery powder 50 grams

Milk 200 ml

Ghee (clarified butter) 3 tbsp

Greek yogurt 4 tbsp

Pistachios 1 tbsp

Rose petals

Method:

Peel and grate the beetroots, then sauté them in ghee until they change colour and release a delightful aroma.

Add jaggery, stirring until well combined, and the hue intensifies.

Pour in the milk and simmer, stirring intermittently until the milk evaporates.

Reduce heat, continue stirring until the mixture forms a lump, and then let it cool.

Serve warm or chilled, topped with whipped yoghurt, nuts, and rose petals for a visually appealing and health-conscious dessert.

Dates Halwa: Nature’s Sweetness in Every Bite

Ingredients:

1 cup pitted dates

2 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter)

1/4 cup chopped nuts (almonds, cashews, pistachios)

1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder

A pinch of saffron strands (optional)

1/4 cup milk (optional)

Instructions:

Blend pitted dates into a smooth paste after soaking if too dry.

Cook the date paste in ghee until it thickens, then add chopped nuts, cardamom powder, and saffron.

Optionally, add milk for a creamier texture, continuing to cook until the halwa reaches the desired consistency.

Adjust sweetness, nuts, or spices according to taste.

Serve warm or at room temperature, revelling in the natural sweetness of this healthy dessert.

Banana Halwa: A Unique Blend of Flavors and Nutrition

Ingredients:

5 small bananas

1 cup milk

½ cup ragi flour

1 cup sugar

¼ cup ghee

1 tsp cardamom powder

10 cashew nuts (chopped)

10 almonds (chopped)

Method:

Blend bananas and milk into a smooth paste.

Fry chopped cashews and almonds in ghee until golden brown, then set aside.

Sauté ragi flour, add the banana paste, and stir.

Add sugar, and cardamom powder, and continue stirring until it thickens.

Finally, add cashews and almonds, mix well, and enjoy this tasty banana wheat halwa warm or chilled.

Sweet Potato Halwa: Nourishing and Delicious

Ingredients:

800 grams sweet potato approx. 2 (medium-sized)

Water as needed (for pressure cooking)

½ tsp salt

½ cup ghee (divided)

10 pieces almonds (roughly crushed)

10 pieces pistachios (roughly crushed)

½ tsp saffron strands

3 pods green cardamom seeds (powdered)

2 tbsp jaggery (optional)

Dried rose petals (optional – for garnish)

Method:

Pressure-cook sweet potatoes, peel, and mash.

Fry almonds and pistachios in 2 tbsp ghee, then set aside.

Sauté mashed sweet potatoes with saffron and cardamom in the remaining ghee.

Add jaggery if using, combine well, and cook until properly mixed.

Garnish with almonds, pistachios, and dried rose petals.

Enjoy warm or chilled, appreciating the nourishing goodness of sweet potatoes.

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Bajre ka Halwa: A Nutrient-Rich Winter Delight

Ingredients:

1 cup bajra flour (pearl millet flour)

1/2 cup ghee (clarified butter)

1 cup jaggery, grated (adjust according to sweetness preference)

1/2 cup milk

1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder

Chopped nuts for garnish (almonds, cashews, pistachios)

Instructions:

Roast bajra flour in ghee until golden brown, stirring continuously.

Heat milk and dissolve jaggery to form a syrup.

Gradually add the jaggery milk syrup to the roasted bajra flour, stirring to avoid lumps.

Continue stirring until the mixture thickens into a halwa consistency.

Add cardamom powder and garnish with chopped nuts.

Serve warm and savour the wholesome richness of homemade Bajre ka Halwa.

Incorporate these low-fat halwa recipes into your winter menu, delighting in the sweet pleasures of the season without compromising on your health goals.

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