Sugar free Dates and Nuts Ladoo

What do you think of when someone mentions winter? Heavy, itchy woolen clothes? Chapped lips and cracked heels? Sure winter is all of this, but did you also know that winter is the best season to improve immunity? During this time, people feel hungrier. Amazingly, the body engine works better in the winter and foods are better digested. This aids in providing more nourishment to the body. 

So how does one boost immunity during winter? As we are aware, immunity-boosting foods are those that are fresh, organic, easy to digest,pure and wholesome. These include fresh vegetables and fruits/dry fruits, dairy products, nuts/oil seeds, whole grains/legumes and ghee. Besides these, some spices also have anti-microbial properties that protect us from colds and infections. They also act to increase digestive enzymes and cellular metabolic function, and ensure complete assimilation of nutrients.

In winter, our body craves for rich food which provides warmth along with nourishment. We need warming foods to satisfy this craving. Any vegetable that takes time to grow, and in which the edible part grows beneath the surface of the ground is usually warming and a good vegetable to eat in winter. Certain dry fruits (dates), nuts and oil seeds (sesame seeds) are also warming. It is also a time of the year when you may want to eat more spices than in the summer months. 

Dates are warm in nature and are highly recommended in the winter months. Not only are they a good source of fibre, iron, magnesium, calcium and vitamins (C and B3), they are also a good source of energy. Consume them as they are or as a barfi or ladoo, pulp or added to milkshakes and smoothies. Those Dates and nuts ladoos are all time favorite at my home. In every winter season mom used to make them for us, and we used to have them early in the morning when we were leaving for school. Still I have that taste in my mouth of enjoying that yummy date and nuts ladoo. She used to make some rolls too, sending this recipe to our 120th #Foodiemonday #Bloghop event, and this time we are back with #winterrecipes. check out the recipe blow and enjoyyyy these ladoos.

INGREDIENTS:

4 tbsp Almonds, chopped
3 tbsp Cashews, chopped
2 Dates
2 tbsp Raisins
2 Tbsp desiccated coconut
1 tbsp Ghee
2 tbsp Walnuts, chopped
1 large pinch Cardamom Powder

Method:

1. First chop the almonds, cashews, walnuts finely and keep aside.

2. Remove the seeds from the dates and using a food processor or grinder pulse the dates in small batches.

3. Heat up 1 tbsp ghee in a non stick wok and shallow fry Almonds and Cashew nuts on low to medium flame. You will get nice aroma from the nuts. Keep stirring for 1-2 minutes or until cashews turn light pink. Drain and remove from the wok and keep aside.

4. In the same ghee now roast the Walnuts for about a minute or so.

5. At the end add the dates in the wok, Mix properly and put off the flame. Now add the roasted nuts followed by Cardamom powder and desiccated coconut. Mix everything nicely and allow the mixture to cool down for 5 minutes. Once the mixture cools a little, mix it with hands to form a dough.

6. Pinch small portion and roll out into a small gooseberry shape ball between the palms. Repeat the same for all the Ladoos. You may make big ones or small bite size depending on your choice. Keep them in an air tight container. Serve with warm milk as a healthy and filling Breakfast.