Makar Sankranti, a harvest festival celebrated across India, is a time for gratitude, joy, and delicious food. Traditional recipes often feature ingredients like sesame seeds, jaggery, and grains, symbolizing warmth and abundance. If you’re looking to celebrate with healthy yet festive treats, here are five nutritious recipes to enjoy this Makar Sankranti.
Til ke Laddoo
Tila laddoos are an essential part of Makar Sankranti. They provide warmth and energy. For a healthier version, dry roast sesame seeds and mix them with powdered jaggery and a splash of ghee. Roll the mixture into small balls. These laddoos are rich in iron, calcium, and healthy fats, making them a guilt-free festive treat.
Bajra Khichdi
Bajra Khichdi is a healthy and tasty dish. Prepare this by cooking bajra, moong dal, carrots, peas, and mild spices. The recipe keeps you warm during the winters as it is gluten-free and fibre-rich. Paired with a dollop of ghee, you can have it extra flavorful and nutritious.
Gur wale Chawal
It is a simple, healthy, and flavorful dessert suitable for Makar Sankranti. Brown rice is cooked and mixed up with melted jaggery, a pinch of cardamom, and a handful of nuts like almonds and raisins. In this recipe, the refined sugar is replaced with jaggery, so it is healthier than that while having the sweetness of the traditional dessert.
Multigrain Chikki
This is a crunchy sweet made from jaggery and nuts, but with an added healthy twist – use roasted nuts, seeds (like flaxseeds and pumpkin seeds), and puffed amaranth. Boil jaggery, let it form a syrup, combine the roasted ingredients together and spread it over a greased surface to cool. Cut it into pieces for a snack full of protein and antioxidants.
Til Gur Pancakes
Give a contemporary twist to all the old elements with these Til Gur pancakes. Mix whole wheat flour, sesame seeds, jaggery-grated, along with a pinch of cinnamon and make a batter. Add minimal oil, and fry the small round pancakes in the non-stick pan. Rich fiber, iron and winter-friendly nutritious pancakes to wake up for an auspicious day.
Makar Sankranti is a time to honor tradition while embracing health-conscious choices. These five recipes combine festive flavors with wholesome ingredients, ensuring you can celebrate without compromising on nutrition. Enjoy a joyous and healthy Makar Sankranti this year with these delicious recipes that perfectly balance tradition and well-being!
(Images courtesy: Canva)