WHOLESOME RECIPES FOR FESTIVE INDULGENCE
With Diwali approaching, it's the perfect time to enjoy homemade treats that are both delicious and healthier. This festive season, why not try recipes that bring a balance of taste and wellness to your table? Here are four simple and flavourful dishes that will brighten your celebrations and keep the indulgence guilt-free.
Almond Date Chocolate Balls
(by Australian Almonds)
These Almond, Date and Cranberry Balls are a perfect energy-boosting snack. Easy to prepare, they're rich in nutrients, with a festive touch of dark chocolate and edible gold dust.
Ingredients
- ½ cup whole blanched almonds
- 1 cup Medjool dates (seeds removed)
- 1/3 cup cranberries
- 3 tbsp cacao or Dutch cocoa powder
- ¼ cup desiccated coconut
- 3 tbsp almond butter
Method
- Blend almonds, dates, cranberries, cacao, coconut and almond butter in a food processor.
- Roll small portions into balls and coat with chopped or flaked almonds.
- Refrigerate before serving. For a special touch, drizzle melted dark chocolate and sprinkle it with gold dust.
Special Coconut Laddoo
(by Brishti Kumari, on behalf of Chilean Prunes)
A Diwali classic, these laddoos get a unique twist with prunes, adding a rich flavour to the traditional coconut and condensed milk combo.
Ingredients
- 1 tsp ghee
- 1 cup desiccated coconut
- ½ cup condensed milk
- 2 tbsp milk
- ¼ tsp cardamom powder
- Prunes and chopped pistachios for garnish
Method
- Heat ghee in a pan, fry the coconut on low heat until lightly coloured.
- Add condensed milk, 2 tsp milk and cardamom powder, and mix well.
- Shape the mixture into small balls, placing a prune in the centre.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.
Pistachio Baklava Cake
(by Chef Najmieh Batmanglij, on behalf of American Pistachio Growers)
This cake is a delightful fusion of Baklava and cake, combining the flavours of pistachio, cardamom, and rose water for a unique Diwali dessert.
Ingredients: Glaze
- 1 cup honey
- ¼ cup rose water
- Zest of 1 orange
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
Cake
- 3 eggs, separated
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 tsp cardamom powder
- 2 tbsp rose water
- ½ cup milk (or almond milk) and ½ cup oil
- 1 cup flour (with 1½ tsp baking powder)
- 1½ cups ground pistachios
- 1 apple, peeled, cored and chopped (optional)
Garnish
Pistachios, almonds and dried rose petals
Method
- Mix all glaze ingredients and set aside. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Whisk egg yolks and sugar until creamy, add cardamom, rose water, milk, and oil. Fold in flour, pistachios, and apple.
- Whip egg whites to soft peaks and fold into the batter.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, then pour half the glaze over the cake. Garnish with pistachios, almonds, and rose petals.
Caramel Walnut Kheer (by Chile Walnuts)
A rich and creamy kheer with a caramel twist, this dish is the perfect blend of traditional and modern flavours, enhanced with crunchy Chilean walnuts.
Ingredients
- 7-8 Chilean walnuts (roughly broken) + 3-4 for garnish
- 3 tbsp rice (soaked for 2 hours)
- 1 litre milk (divided)
- 1/3 cup sugar and 1 tsp butter (optional)
- Water
Method
- Cook soaked rice with ½ cup milk in a pressure cooker for 2 whistles.
- For caramel, heat sugar with water until golden brown, then stir in butter (optional) and 2 tbsp warm milk.
- Boil the remaining milk, add the cooked rice, and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in walnuts and caramel.
- Garnish with more walnuts and serve
These festive recipes not only bring vibrant flavours to your Diwali celebrations but also add a healthy twist to traditional treats. By incorporating wholesome ingredients like almonds, prunes and walnuts, you can enjoy the best of both worlds - delicious sweets and mindful indulgence. So, light up your home with joy and fill your table with these delightful dishes that everyone will love, guilt-free. Wishing you a bright, flavourful and health-conscious Diwali!
