5 Delicious Halwa Recipe: Winter is a season of indulgence, and one of the delightful ways people seek comfort is through food. As temperatures drop, there’s a natural inclination to crave warmth and cosiness, the best way to achieve that is with a spoonful of sweetness. Classics like hot chocolate with marshmallows, warm halwa, and gooey cinnamon rolls become not just desserts but a source of comfort during chilly evenings.
However, amidst the joy of enjoying these delectable treats, there’s often a conscientious effort to strike a balance, particularly when it comes to maintaining a healthy weight.
Here are some low-fat halwa recipes:
Low-Fat Carrot Halwa:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups grated carrots
- 2 cups skimmed milk
- 1/2 cup sugar substitute (like stevia or any preferred substitute)
- 2 tbsp ghee (clarified butter)
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts (almonds, cashews)
- 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
Instructions:
- In a non-stick pan, saute grated carrots in 1 tablespoon of ghee until they become soft.
- Add skimmed milk and cook on low heat until the carrots absorb the milk and the mixture thickens.
- Add sugar substitute and continue stirring until the mixture attains a halwa consistency.
- In a separate pan, roast the nuts in the remaining ghee until they become golden brown.
- Mix the roasted nuts into the carrot mixture and add cardamom powder.
- Stir for a few more minutes, and your low-fat carrot halwa is ready to be served.
Oats and Apple Halwa:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 2 cups grated apples
- 1 cup skimmed milk
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 tbsp ghee
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
- Chopped nuts for garnish
Instructions:
- Dry roast rolled oats in a pan until they become slightly brown and fragrant.
- In a separate pan, heat ghee and add grated apples. Cook until the apples become soft.
- Add roasted oats to the apples and mix well.
- Pour in skimmed milk and stir continuously to avoid lumps.
- Add honey or maple syrup for sweetness and continue to cook until the halwa reaches the desired consistency.
- Sprinkle cinnamon powder and garnish with chopped nuts before serving.
Pumpkin and Jaggery Halwa:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups grated pumpkin
- 1/2 cup grated jaggery
- 2 tablespoons roasted semolina (suji)
- 1/4 cup low-fat milk
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg powder
- 1 tablespoon chopped pistachios for garnish
Instructions:
- In a non-stick pan, cook grated pumpkin with a little water until it becomes soft.
- Add grated jaggery and stir until it melts and combines with the pumpkin.
- Mix in roasted semolina and low-fat milk, stirring continuously to avoid lumps.
- Add nutmeg powder for flavour and continue cooking until the halwa thickens.
- Garnish with chopped pistachios and serve warm.
Suji (Semolina) Halwa Without Ghee:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup semolina (suji/rava)
- 1 cup sugar substitute
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup any mild-flavoured oil (like vegetable oil)
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
- Chopped nuts for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- In a non-stick pan, dry roast the semolina over medium heat until it turns golden brown and emits a nutty aroma. This step helps to enhance the flavour of the halwa.
- In a separate saucepan, combine sugar (or any substitute) and water. Bring it to a boil to make a sugar syrup.
- While stirring the sugar syrup, slowly add the roasted semolina to it. Be cautious to avoid lumps.
- Lower the heat and continue stirring to ensure the semolina absorbs the sugar syrup.
- In a separate small pan, heat the oil over low-medium heat.
- Pour the heated oil into the semolina mixture and continue stirring to combine.
- Add cardamom powder for flavour and continue to cook until the halwa reaches a thick, pudding-like consistency.
- Once the halwa is cooked, let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped nuts if desired.
Low-fat Moong Dal Halwa recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup split yellow moong dal (soaked for 4-6 hours)
- 1/4 cup sugar substitute (like stevia or any preferred substitute)
- 2 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter)
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
- A pinch of saffron strands (optional)
- Chopped nuts for garnish (almonds, pistachios)
Related News: Top 10 Delicious Indian Dishes