When the temperature is freezing outside, we need some steaming hot soups and beverages to keep ourselves warm. So lets explore some quick-fix snacks which can accompany our cup of hot chocolate/mini-marshmallow.
Dry fruit, dry coconut & Jaggery Balls:
Ingredients:
- 3 tbsp raisins / dry grapes
- 1 tbsp ghee / clarified butter
- 1/2 cup seedless dates / khajur
- 1/4 cup pistachios
- 1/4 cup cashews
- 1/2 cup dried grated coconut
- 1/4 cup almonds
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds
- 1/4 cup melted jaggery
Instructions ( 1 cup = 255 ml):
- in a blender take 1 cup of seedless dates and dry blend around 4-5 pulses.
- blend dates coarsely. keep aside.
- now finely chop cashews, pistachios and almonds. do not powder them as you wont enjoy the crunchy bites.
- now take a kadai and add a tbsp of ghee.
- add all the dry fruits like raisins, cashews, pistachios and almonds, sesame seeds dry grated coconut
fry them on medium flame for 3-4 minutes till they change colour lightly.
- now add coarsely blend dates & jaggery
- continue to fry on medium flame smashing dates with a spatula. this helps dates to separate out and mix uniformly with other dry fruits.
- continue to saute.
- saute till the dates start releasing oil.
- turn off the flame and allow to cool for a minute or 2.
- then immediately start making laddus. do not cool completely, then you wont be able to make laddus.
- serve immediately or store laddoo in airtight container.
Benefits:
- The Essential fatty acids of the coconut brings in the added lusture to skin and hair, prevents lips from chapping.
- Jaggery prevents constipation hence aids digestion, also rich in anti-oxidants helps fight the free-radicals, preventing & delaying aging.
- Dry Fruits & Nuts: Prevents Anaemia, as they are rich in Iron, rich in fibers hence eases bowel movements, also rich source of anti-oxidants, rich minerals and proteins hence slows don the aging process.
- Sesame Seeds: Protects Heart health, improves blood pressure, fights cancer & balances hormones.
- Ghee: Rich in Fat-soluble Vit A,D, E & K, improving the moisture of the skin and repairing damaged skin, improves metabolism and helpful in IBS.
