Happily indulge

If you are worried about calories while consuming delicious modaks, then we have some healthy prasad options that will make you feel less guilty. Ishika Konar, executive sous chef, Atmantan Wellness Centre, Mulshi, Pune, shares some healthy recipes that you can enjoy this festive season.

Fig Halwa
Ingredients

• Dried figs, soaked overnight.....1 cup 
• Cow milk ghee......2 tbsp
• Almonds, soaked and peeled......10
• Cardamom powder......1 tsp
• Pistachio, chopped......1 tsp

Method

• Drain the figs and blend them until smooth along with soaked almonds.
• Heat ghee in a saucepan and add the puree.
• Cook till all the moisture is dried, add the cardamom powder.
• Serve hot garnished with pistachio.

Almond, Dates and Coconut Laddoo
Ingredients  

• Almonds, soaked and de-skinned......5
• Dates, soaked......5
• Freshly grated coconut......4 tbsp
• Dried desiccated coconut......1 tbsp
• Ghee......1 tsp 

Method   

• In a pan add ghee, heat a bit and add the puree of dates and almonds.
• Add freshly grated coconut and cook for 10 minutes.
• Turn off the flame off and let the ingredients cool down.
• Make small laddoos and coat them with dried coconut.
• Serve with jaggery syrup.

Brown Rice and Prunes Phirni
Ingredients  

• Himalayan millet......15 gm 
• Jaggery......10 gm
• Coconut milk......500 ml
• Ghee......1 tsp
• Cardamom powder......1 tsp

Method

• In a thick bottomed pan, heat ghee and saute the millet for about 4-5 minutes.
• Add coconut milk and jaggery.
• Cook on a slow flame while stirring to avoid curdling of coconut milk.
• Once the millet is well cooked and pudding is thick turn the flame off and add cardamom powder.
• Serve hot garnished with pistachio powder.