Berry Cherry Orange Jelly

Dessert is not part of our daily meal at all. Dessert is something which we have on special occasions or when we have guest at home. Anything sweet either cookie, bars or sweets i serve in small portions during snack time and not after meals(Why to unnecessarily add up on calories). I made this dessert when my kids asked for a cold ice cream treat, it tasted good and definetly a healthier alternate to icecream. Also it is all natural without any additives, refined sugar and all the goodness of fruit. You can also try this guilt free dessert and let me know how you liked it.



 Preparation Time - 15 Minutes

Cooking Time - 15 Minutes

Serves - 8



Ingredients



 Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice - 2 Cups( I used 4 Juice Oranges)

Agar agar powder - 1 Tbsp

Strawberry, Blueberry , Cherry Pitted and chopped - 2 Cups

Strained yogurt - 1 Cup

Xylitol - 3 Tbsp or Raw Sugar (more for a sweeter version)

Vanilla extract(optional) - 1/2 tsp



 Method



1) Add agar agar powder to orange juice and keep it in medium heat in a stove and stir till the agar agar is completely dissolved.



2) In eight small cups pour the orange mixture and set it to cool, either you can put it in the refrigerator or once the mixture comes to room temperature the agar agar will automatically thicken.



3) Once this orange jelly is completely cooled layer the chopped berries and cherries on top of it.



4) For preparing strained yogurt either use a strainer or use a thin cloth and tie the yogurt inside and all the excess water in the yogurt will drain out and you will get a thick cream. To this add the xylitol, vanilla extract and combine thoroughly.



5) Spoon this yogurt mixture on top of the berry cherry mix and serve chilled.

Read more »

Sweet Almond Balls

Craving for sweets, but looking for a high protein and low carb, low sugar snack? Then try this out and i am sure you will include this in your list of favorite snacks. After reading about all the health benefits of xylitol, bought this and i am trying to come up with recipes using this as sugar substitute. One drawback about xylitol is it gives a cool effect to the tongue when consumed. Apart from that it pretty much tastes like sugar, looks like sugar and no bitter after taste. Do try out this recipe and let me know, how you liked it.

Preparation Time - 15 Minutes

Cooking Time - 2 Minutes

Serves - Makes around 10 to 12 balls

Ingredients

Organic Raw Almonds - 1 cup

Xylitol - 1/4 cup (more if you have sugary tongue, you can also use raw sugar instead of xylitol)

Clarified Butter(Ghee) - 1 Tbsp

Cashews - 1 Tbsp chopped

Cardamom - 2

Saffron - few strands

Method

1) Add cardamom and almonds in a blender and grind to a coarse meal.

2) Now add xylitol and blend for a second, and empty out the contents in a bowl.

3) Heat the ghee and fry the cashews till golden and now add the saffron strands and switch

off the stove.

4) Add the ghee, cashew and saffron strands to the almond powder bowl and with a spatula mix

thoroughly and using your hands make small balls and store in a air tight container.

5) Since the almonds have oil in them naturally, with just a Tbsp of ghee you can make out nice round balls.

6) Pop them in your mouth and enjoy.

Read more »

Split Chick Pea Coconut Milk Pudding

Split Chick Pea/Bengal gram/chana dal is very high in protein and very low in glycemic index. This bean

looks just like yellow split peas, is more closely related to garbanzo beans, or chickpeas.

The differences are that chana dal is younger, smaller, split, sweeter, and has a much lower glycemic index.

Coconut is a tropical fruit that is rich in protein. Coconut contains a PH that is good for the skin,

supporting the natural chemical balance of the skin.

Panela(Jaggery) is unrefined sugar and is rich in vitamins and minerals and a good source of iron.

Unlike refined sugar this doesn’t cause cavities nor source of empty calories.

Yes everybody like to relish on sweet things, yes i make it too but i make sure they do contain some

nutrition and are not made of refined sugar. A sweet which is not totally junk. This kheer is made with

protein rich Bengal gram and Coconut milk and sweetened with Jaggery and fruit pieces. Try this awesome

tasting kheer and you are sure to like it.

Preparation Time – 5 Minutes

Cooking Time – 30 Minutes

Serves - 4

Ingredients

Chana Dal – 3/4 Cup

Jaggery – 1 Cup(Increase this based on your liking)

Coconut Milk – 1 Cup

Chopped Banana & Jack fruit pieces – 1/2 cup

Ghee(Clarified Butter) – 1 Tbsp

Cashes – 1 Tbsp

Chopped Dry Coconut Pieces(Copra) – 1 Tbsp (optional)

Cardamom powder – 1/4 tsp

Water – 2 1/2 cups(Adjust this according to the thickness desire)

Method

1) Wash and rinse Chana Dal and pressure cook with 1 1/2 cups water for

three whistles.

2) Once the pressure is released, remove the chana dal and mash it to get

a coarse texture with a masher, make sure not to make a paste all we need

is slightly mashed chana dal.

4) Add water, coconut milk, cardamom powder, jaggery and boil till

the jaggery is well dissolved at this stage add more water if desired based

on the consistency you require.

5) Heat a pan and add the ghee, saute the nuts till golden brown and remove

it and saute the dry coconut pieces till they are crisp. Garnish the kheer

with nuts, roasted coconut pieces along with the ghee and fresh fruit

pieces and serve hot or cold.

Read more »