Give Your Diwali Sweets A Healthy Twist

This Diwali give your Diwali sweets a healthy twist. If you want to remain healthy, then try these innovative healthy desserts for Diwali. As Diwali is incomplete without desserts, choose wisely and go easy on sweets. You can make at home some of these unconventional sweet delights.

Dates and Milk Crumble

By Chef Tarun Sibal,Director, One Fine Meal

Ingredients:

Khoya burfi - 150 gms

Seedless dates - 50 Gm

Dried rose petals - 1 tsp

Salted Pistachio slivers - 1 tsp

Almond slivers - 1 tsp

Fresh flora - to garnish

Ghee to baste

Method:

1. Baste an oven Proof flat tray with ghee

2. Crumble the khoya burfi on the tray and top it over with dates

3. Put it in the oven at 250 degrees for 4 min

4. Take it out , the sides should be be golden brown and the top should have a crust

5. Use a flat spoon to transfer it on the serving plate

6. Garnish with almonds , pistachios , dried rose petals and fresh Flora

Quinoa Coconut Crumble Custard Pudding by Executive Pastry Chef Santhanam S, Radisson Blu Atria, Bengaluru

For Quinoa Crumble

Ingredients:

180 gms Cooked Qu

90 gms Oats

3gms Cinnamon Powder

Salt- A pinch

30 gms Brown Sugar (can be replaced by Jaggery)

120 gms chopped nuts (can be replace by fresh fruits like apple, pineapple)

75 gms Coconut Flakes

2 Large eggs

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 305 degrees

2. In a large mixing bowl, add cooked quinoa, oats, and chopped nuts. In a separate smaller mixing bowl combine Cinnamon, Brown Sugar and Salt. Add the spice mixture to Quinoa and Oats. Stir in chopped nuts once and combine and add eggs and mix until combined.

3. Scoop into a sprayed mini moulds and make sure the mould is thoroughly sprayed.

4. Bake for 15-20 minutes and let cool.

5. Once cooling done crumble it and store in air tight containers.

(can be served warm also like serving cookies dipper with chocolate)

For Custard Pudding Mix

Ingredients:

180 gms Quinoa

960 gms unsweetened Coconut Milk

113 gms Maple Syrup

10 ml Vanilla Extract

5 gms Cinnamon Powder

Salt- A pinch

30gms Honey

Method:

1. Ace quinoa in a mesh colander. Risen thoroughly with cold water and allow to drain.

2. In a medium pot, Combine Quinoa, Coconut Milk, Maple Syrup, Vanilla Extract, Cinnamon, Honey and Salt. Bring to boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low simmer and cover, leaving the lid cracked so that some steam may escape. Simmer for 25 minutes, stirring about 5 minutes.

3. Remove the lid and continue simmering for five more minutes or until the pudding has thickened and the Quinoa has absorbed most (but not all) of the milk. Remove from the heat.

4. Prepare the serving glasses or bowls filled half above made quinoa crumble. Then top of it pour the Quinoa custard pudding.

5. While layering the pudding in between also can be added the fruits and nuts.

6. Pour into the bowls and allow to cool for few minutes before serving (pudding will continue to thicken as it cools) Sprinkle with additional Cinnamon, Honey, Nuts or fresh fruits on top if desired

Tips to eat wise during Diwali by nutritionists Ambika Tyagi and Harshita Dilawri

1. If you plan to go out, don’t go on an empty stomach. Eat a small snack before you head out. Choose snacks like boiled corn, mix veggie salad, a fruit bowl, sprouts, veggie soup, yogurt with crushed nuts, whole wheat bread sandwich, etc. This will keep you full and thereby prevent binging/over eating when you are

2. If one meal goes for a toss, make sure the rest of the meals are absolutely on track. E.g. If you have a dinner party planned, make sure your meals through the day (breakfast, lunch, snacking items) are very much balanced and healthier.

3. During the festive session, we eat most of the food which is fried, oily, and loaded with calories. Consuming extra fruits and vegetables is a good idea, they are rich in fiber, minerals, nutrients and are low in fat. Your body remains healthy, and your skin glows.

4. Excess of food can lead to digestive problems including indigestion and gastroesophageal reflux. Don’t force yourself to eat everything, but choose what you enjoy most.

5. Sip water frequently throughout the day. It will keep you hydrated and will also satiate the false hunger.

6. Please choose baked food items over deep fried ones.

7. Compensate- It’s true that saying “NO” when you are offered sweets by your loved ones especially during this festive season is going to be difficult.

8. Go easy on alcohol. It’s a major dehydrator and contains empty calories. Choose red wine or vodka over any other hard drinks. Sangria would be the best option here (cut fruits in red wine).

9. Be a health-conscious host this Diwali. Serve snacks like dhokla, masalapeanuts, unsalted nuts and dry fruits, sprout-chaat, fruit salad, idlis, baked chaklis Avoid serving soft drinks or artificial juices. Lemon water, jal jeera, flavoured milk, spiced buttermilk, fresh fruit juice would be some better options here.

10. Fire crackers are going to pollute the air. The pollutants (free radicals) have an easy access into our body as we breathe. Neutralize the free radicals by consuming adequate antioxidants through colourful fruits, berries and vegetables.

11. A good sleep is as necessary as a healthy diet, poor sleep has actual adverse side effects on your hormones, brain functions, and increase disease possibility. At night, consuming 1 cup of calmness- sleep-inducing infusion from healthy soul's before going to bed helps in reducing stress, inducing sleep and provides a calmness to the body. This is regarded as a sleep inducer and is also beneficial in reducing inflammation, decrease anxiety and reduce stress.

12. Last but not the least, don’t forget to work out! Workouts would kick your body metabolism in high gear, helping you burn calories faster. It’s best to get your workout done before going out for a party. The spiked metabolism would help you burn better when you eat at the party.