A healthy twist to your Ganesh Chaturthi feast

Ganesh Chaturthi is an auspicious occasion that marks the birth of Lord Ganesh, the wise and
gentle lord of new beginnings, and the removal of obstacles to help our journey forward in life.
 
We welcome him with prayers and a sumptuous feast of some of his favorite foods. This
Ganesh Chaturthi, we decided to take a look at recipes for the different delicious sweets you
can make and re-invent them with ORGANIC INDIA’s whole organic foods.
 
Packed with nutrition and the wholesome goodness of nature, this scrumptious feast will not
only tickle your taste buds but will also heal your body to keep you feeling full of energy and
vitality.
 
1) Brown basmati rice and Jaggery Kheer
 
Kheer or payasam is a well-loved dessert that everyone in the family can enjoy. It is usually
made with vermicelli or white rice, milk, and sugar, but it can be made with healthier alternatives
as well. So, let’s switch this recipe up with ORGANIC INDIA’s brown basmati rice and jaggery
powder.
 
Benefits
1.    Brown basmati rice is richer in fibre than white rice. Also, brown basmati rice is a
good source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants which nourish you deeply and keep
you feeling full longer.
2.    Palm Jaggery has a lower glycaemic index than both white sugar and cane jaggery
and is a naturally rich source of vitamins and minerals. Rich in magnesium, it helps
reduce migraine symptoms, calms the mind and promotes better sleep. Also, its
warming sweetness helps clear the respiratory tract of congestion, helping to alleviate
symptoms of cough and cold.
 
RECIPE
 
INGREDIENTS -
 
●     Any variety of brown basmati rice - ¼ cup
●     Whole milk - 500 ml
●     Palm jaggery - ½ cup
●     Cardamom powder - ¼ teaspoon
●     Cashews, almonds, raisins - according to preference
●     Ghee - 1-2 tablespoons
 
STEP 1 - Soak the Rice
 
Soak the brown basmati rice in water for an hour. Then, drain the water and rinse the rice.

 
STEP 2 - Cook the Rice
 
In a medium/large vessel, cook the rinsed brown basmati rice and the milk at low to medium
heat, while stirring the mixture now and then.
 
STEP 3 - Add the Jaggery
 
Check if the rice is fully cooked. Then, add the palm jaggery powder and cardamom powder to
the mixture, giving it a good stir. Let this cook for about a minute more and turn off the heat.
 
STEP 4 - Add Fruits and Nuts
 
To add more flavour to the kheer, roast some broken almonds/cashews in a pan with ghee till
they turn a light golden-brown colour. Add this to the cooked kheer and give it a gentle mix.
 
You can also add raisins to the kheer for a truly delicious dessert. And now, your kheer is ready
to be served.
 
 
2) Flax Seed Ladoo
 
The ladoo is another loved dessert, and it is a popular sweet item made at every Ganesh
Chaturthi celebration. Let us take a look at how to make flax seed ladoos with ORGANIC INDIA
flax seeds and jaggery powder.
 
BENEFITS
 
Flax Seeds
 
A high fibre content and a naturally rich source of Omega 3 fatty acids, make
flaxseeds a great nutritional supplement for alleviating constipation, reducing cholesterol
levels, and improving insulin sensitivity which helps to prevent heart disease and
inflammation. Naturally rich in lignans, flax seeds are also found to prevent and correct
hormonal imbalance in pre-menopausal and menopausal women.
Cane Jaggery
Lower in the glycemic index than white sugar and rich in vitamins and minerals,
cane sugar is a delicious and healthier alternative to white sugar. It also helps in
reducing acidity and is a good source of quick energy.
 
INGREDIENTS -
 
●     Flax seeds - 1 cup

●     Almonds - ½ cup
●     Peanuts - ⅓ cup
●     Chopped cashews - 1-2 tablespoons
●     Palm Jaggery powder - 2 cups
●     Cardamom powder - ½ teaspoon
 
STEP 1 - Dry Roast the Seeds and Nuts
 
Dry roast the flax seeds in a pan for 4 to 5 minutes on a medium flame. The flax seeds will soon
begin to crackle and puff up. Once that happens, put it into a bowl and let it cool to room
temperature.
 
Repeat the same with the almonds, dry roast them for about 3 to 4 minutes, then shift them to
the bowl to cool. Then, dry roast the peanuts for 3 minutes and move them to the bowl with the
flax seeds and almonds.
 
STEP 2 - Grind Them to Form a Powder
 
Give the roasted flax seeds, almonds, and peanuts a good mix and then add them to a mixer or
grinder. Grind the seeds and nuts till it forms a coarse powder and shift them to the bowl.
 
Add the chopped cashews to this coarse powder and mix well.
 
STEP 3 - Make Jaggery Syrup
 
Add jaggery powder to a sturdy vessel, pour in a half cup of water, and let the mixture boil while
stirring continuously to dissolve the jaggery completely.
 
Once it begins to boil and reduce, add the cardamom powder and stir well. Once the mixture
reaches a syrup-like consistency, remove it from the heat.
 
STEP 4 - Make the Ladoos!
 
Now, add the syrup to the powder mixture and mix till everything is well combined. Then, shape
your ladoos and have this nutritiously nutty and crunchy treat for your festive brunch!
 
Enjoy this festive season with your loved ones and make tasty, nutritious meals for a healthier
way of living. ORGANIC INDIA wishes you and your family a happy Ganesh Chaturthi! May
Lord Ganesh watch over you and remove all obstacles from your path.

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!