While scrolling through social media, you suddenly stumble upon a mouthwatering dessert on your feed. Curious, you start searching for a similar option when the fear of doing more burpees makes you look for a healthy alternative instead. Contemplating between low calories, brown sugar, and more, you finally decide to go with jaggery.
Wondering why jaggery over stevia or any other trending options?
Well, Jaggery, or "gur" as it's affectionately called in India, is more than just a sweetener. It’s a powerhouse of essential nutrients and minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Unlike refined sugar, jaggery retains all the goodness of sugarcane juice or palm sap, and is known to boost your immunity, aid in digestion, and even combat your fatigue. Plus, it adds a unique, rich flavor to your dishes that’s hard to resist.
Now, you must be thinking about the possible ways to include this delightful option in your diet? Worry not, as we've enlisted a host of recipes for you to savor. Be it your healthy breakfast, or an evening snack or even a sweet beverage that would take away your stress…we`ve got you covered!
Read on to find more…
Breakfast bliss with Jaggery Millet Pancakes:
Usually, the first meal of the day sets your mood and prepares you for the day ahead. So, let's begin our sweet culinary journey with some hearty, nutritious jaggery millet pancakes. With the superfood, millet and the sweetness of jaggery, these pancakes are a perfect blend of taste and health, ensuring you start your day on the right note.
To begin with, use the following ingredients:
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Ragi flour: 1/2 cup
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Wheat flour: 1/2 cup
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Jaggery powder: 1/4 cup
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Curd: 1/4 cup
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Milk: 3/4 cup
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Baking powder: 1 tsp
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Baking soda: 1/2 tsp
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Vanilla extract: 1/2 tsp
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Salt, one pinch
Now, let's dive into the cooking instructions:
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Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl.
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Add curd, milk, and jaggery, stirring well to combine.
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Adjust the consistency with additional milk if needed.
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Add vanilla extract for flavor.
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Let the batter rest for 5 minutes.
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Pour a scoop of batter onto a hot pan and cook until golden brown on both sides.
Pro-tip: Serve these with a drizzle of honey or a dollop of yogurt. However, if you prefer something tangy then dip your pancakes in some pickles or ‘achars’ as we call them in India, and you are all set to enjoy your ‘niwala’.
The next recipe is sure to transport you back to your childhood memories where this delicacy is a festive favorite. Can you guess already? Let's find out!
Nostalgic treat with Jaggery Malpua:
Perfect for those mid-day snack cravings, ‘malpuas’ are traditional Indian desserts that are rich in taste, texture and nutrition. Now, what if you could make this recipe with no maida, or refined sugar? Yes, below you`ve the secret to a whole wheat flour and jaggery ‘malpua’ for a healthy twist to your traditional favorite.
First, let`s list out the ingredients that we would need:
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Crushed Jaggery – half cup
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Whole Wheat Flour– 1 cup
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Fennel Seeds – ½ tsp
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Green Cardamom or elaichi powder – ½ tsp
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Fruit salt, a pinch
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Ghee for deep frying or shallow frying (as required)
Now, let's see how to use these ingredients to cook the yummy delicacy. Here, are the cooking instructions:
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Melt jaggery in water over medium flame, then let it cool.
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Mix the flour with jaggery syrup until smooth.
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Add cardamom powder and mix well.
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Heat ghee in a pan, pour in a scoop of batter, and cook until golden brown on both sides.
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Serve hot with a sprinkle of cardamom powder.
Pro-tip:
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Malpuas are traditionally deep fried. However, shallow frying yields similar results as well.
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You can even enjoy your malpua with some coldly served Rabri by your side. Just sip into them and bite into a wholesome flavor of taste.
Now, if malpua was not your calling, then wait, we've got more!
Heavenly delight with Coconut and Jaggery stuffed parathas:
Now, Jaggery and coconut stuffed parathas are a match made in heaven. They bring together the crunchiness of coconut and the creamy, melted jaggery in a soft, whole wheat casing.
Lip-smacking right? Come, let's find out what goes into its making. We begin with the list of ingredients first:
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Green cardamom powder – 1 tsp
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Crushed coconut or powdered coconut – 1.5 cup
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Jaggery crushed or powdered – ⅔ cup
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Whole wheat flour – 2 cups
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Salt – ½ tsp
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Ghee – for toasting the parathas
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½ Milk and ½ water mixture as required to knead the dough.
Now, let's see how to put together these ingredients and make our steaming hot flatbreads or parathas. The cooking instructions are as follows:
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Knead a soft dough with flour, ghee, salt, and milk-water mixture.
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Warm the coconut and jaggery mix, then add cardamom powder.
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Stuff the dough balls with the jaggery-coconut mixture and roll out parathas.
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Toast on a tava or a hot pan with ghee until golden brown. (Pro-tip: Smear some ghee for that extra taste.)
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Serve hot and enjoy the heavenly flavors.
Fun fact:
Did you know that in Kerala the whole wheat flour is replaced by rice flour? Even so, the crushed coconut and the jaggery are then filled inside and the stuffed parathas are steamed wrapped in banana leaves. Wow, what a wonderful treat for your soul!
Now, giving in to cravings or munching guilt-free may not always be possible but with these recipes you are sure to upgrade your sweet tooth for the good. So, let's find out what's next in our recipe list!
Tangy goodness with Amla-Jaggery Candy:
Get ready to indulge in the wholesome goodness of Amla Candy with Jaggery, a treat that's as nutritious as it is delightful. Bursting with the tangy goodness of Amla a.k.a Indian gooseberry and the natural sweetness of Jaggery, this recipe offers a powerhouse of health benefits in every bite. Ideal for boosting immunity and enhancing overall well-being, these candies are a perfect blend of taste and wellness.
So, how to make them? Let`s first list out the ingredients:
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Amla, 1 kg
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Jaggery, crushed or granular, 400 to 800 grams
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Black Salt (according to taste)
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Black Pepper (according to taste)
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Cumin powder – 3 to 4 tsp
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Water – as required
Now, let's dive into the cooking instructions:
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Cook the Amla for two whistles in a pressure cooker and release the pressure after it. Add chilled water to the boiled Amla to stop cooking.
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Then, deseed the Amla, and cut them into small pieces.
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Now, take a bowl and mix the Amla pieces with Jaggery.
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Cover the bowl and leave it until the Amla releases juice and Jaggery is completely dissolved.
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Then, stir the mixture well and leave it overnight.
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The next morning, strain the Amla and spread it on a tray. Then, dry it under the sun or use the oven to dehydrate the Amla faster.
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Now, blend black salt, black pepper, cumin powder, and some Jaggery altogether.
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Add the dried Amla to the spice mixture and give it a good mix. This ensures that the Amla pieces are well coated with the spice. Once done, your Amla candies are ready to gorge on!
Pro-tip: Though good for your skin, immunity, hair fall prevention, and more, Amla candies with jaggery usually take a week to get ready. So, plan your schedule accordingly.
Our next recipe is easy to make and would surely provide a sweet yet refreshing taste. Thinking what it might be? Well, it's none other than coconut barfis with jaggery!
Refreshing sweetness with Coconut-Jaggery Barfis:
Known for its fresh and sweetness, coconut-jaggery barfis are pretty easily made in your kitchen. Even so, you can store them for long in airtight containers and bite into them for some guilt-free snacking.
So, what goes into its making?
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freshly grated coconut,
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crushed Jaggery,
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ghee,
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elaichi or cardamom powder.
Next, let's find out its cooking instructions:
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Simply begin by roasting the grated coconut and Jaggery in ghee in a pan
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Then flavor it with cardamom powder.
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Mix everything well until the mixture comes together nicely.
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Then, spread it on a tray and leave it to cool down.
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Cut the mixture into squares or any other shape, and they are ready to eat.
Now, enough of these parathas, malpuas, barfis, or pancakes! It's time to savor some sweet beverages that will not only act as a thirst quencher but will also rejuvenate our soul. Come, let's explore them!
Cold or hot, we all enjoy sipping into our favorite beverages. Be it your regular tea or coffee, or your yummilicious milkshakes or more, we all love it post a tiresome day or a workout session. But do we always opt for healthy options? No! So, let's learn about some wholesome alternatives with jaggery that promises both health and taste.
Sweet sips with Jaggery Tea:
Usually, tea is something that we Indians relate to a lot on a regular basis. Be it your roadside stall or the tea variants made in your home kitchen, we love it all! But how about making tea healthy? Yes, it's possible with just a hint of Jaggery!
So, put aside your white sugar and infuse your tea with some Jaggery goodness. Also, add in condiments that you like and adjust the flavors as per your taste.
Read here to learn How to Make Jaggery Tea?
Next, is something that would remind you of the widely stretched fields across India. Confused? Well, it's none other than ‘Gur ka Sharbat’.
Comforting coolness with Gur Ka Sharbat:
From giving you a cooling sensation to an easy simple process to make, ‘gur ka Sharbat’ is your ultimate go-to drink. So, what is used to make it? The ingredient list is pretty simple.
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chilled water,
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some ice cubes,
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fennel powder,
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Jaggery (Pro-tip: liquid, crushed, or powdered).
Now, how to make it?
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Mix everything together in a blender or whisk it with your hand,
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You can even add a pinch of fennel and enjoy the freshness with the sweetness of Jaggery.
Up next we have some even better options. Let's find out what they are!
Sip the goodness with Jaggery-Almond Milkshakes:
If you`re someone who loves the nutty taste of almonds in your drinks then this option is just for you! Usually jaggery when paired with the nutty taste of Almonds yields some yummy Milkshake options. Even better, if you can pair them with dry fruits, or fruits. However, if you`re allergic to dates and refrain from refined sugar consumption then any Jaggery infused Milkshake would be your ultimate choice.
Sometimes, you can even pair your Amond-Jaggery Milkshakes with oats, bananas, and more. If nothing else, then blend in some cold coffee with jaggery powder and you`re sorted for the day.
Next, in our list we have a desi protein shake. Let's see what's that!
Sattu Aur Gur Ka Sharbat – The Desi Protein Shake Of India:
Usually, Sattu is a protein packed powder that is pretty common in India. Often paired with Jaggery or other sweeteners, it gives you a healthy drink that is way ahead of any commercial protein powders. So, how do we make it?
Simply mix one or two spoons of Sattu powder (black gram flour) in a glass of water, and then flavor it with Jaggery.
Read more about Sattu Atta here: What Is Sattu Atta? How is it Made, and 7 Amazing Benefits
Now, the quality of this drink depends on the quality of the Sattu powder and Jaggery. Usually, old Sattu tastes bitter and stale. So, use only freshly made Sattu instead.
Therefore, you now have a list of options to choose from. Be it your pancakes, or snacks or even beverages.
FAQs:
Q: What is jaggery made from?
A: Jaggery is made from concentrated sugarcane or palm juice, with water and sometimes a small amount of citric acid added during processing.
Q: How can you use jaggery in your kitchen?
A: Jaggery is incredibly versatile and can be used in various sweet and savory recipes. It's commonly used to make sweets like chikkis, laddus, and malpuas, as well as in beverages, pancakes, and even savory dishes like curries and tandoori rotis.
Q: What can be mixed with jaggery?
A: Jaggery pairs well with a variety of ingredients including fruits like Amla (Indian gooseberry), flour, nuts, seeds, coconut, and milk. It's used to create a wide range of dishes from traditional sweets to innovative desserts and snacks.
Q: What are some popular sweets made from jaggery?
A: Popular jaggery-based sweets include Sesame Jaggery Chikki, Amla candy, Peanut Jaggery chikkis, and Rajgira Jaggery Chikki. These sweets highlight the versatility and rich flavor of jaggery in Indian cuisine.
Q: What are some traditional dishes using jaggery?
A: In different regions of India, jaggery is used in various traditional dishes. For instance, in South India, it's used in "puli inji," a tangy ginger and tamarind chutney sweetened with jaggery. Gujarati cuisine features "undhiyu," a mixed vegetable curry with jaggery, while Maharashtrian cuisine boasts "puran poli," a sweet flatbread stuffed with jaggery and lentils.
Q: What is cane jaggery?
A: Cane jaggery is a type of jaggery made from sugarcane juice. It serves as a natural sweetener in many culinary preparations, offering a healthier alternative to refined sugar.
Q: Is milk and jaggery a good combination?
A: Yes, milk and jaggery complement each other beautifully in desserts and beverages. The creamy texture of milk blends well with the earthy sweetness of jaggery, creating a comforting and indulgent flavor profile.
Q: How can jaggery be added to milk?
A: Jaggery can be dissolved in warm milk to sweeten it naturally. It's also used to prepare beverages like jaggery-flavored milkshakes, offering a wholesome and delicious drink.
Q: Can jaggery be mixed with curd?
A: Yes, jaggery can be mixed with curd to create a sweet and tangy dessert known as "jaggery curd," which is enjoyed for its unique blend of flavors and health benefits.
Q: What are some benefits of organic jaggery?
A: Organic jaggery is preferred for its health benefits as it's free from synthetic chemicals and pesticides. Produced using sustainable farming methods, organic jaggery retains its natural goodness and is ideal for those seeking healthier culinary options.
Conclusion:
Thus, see how we transition from breakfast tables to evening snacks and soothing drinks, but jaggery continues to weave its magic into every dish. Incorporating jaggery into your diet is like bringing a piece of India's rich culinary heritage into your home. Not only does it provide a healthier alternative to white sugar, but it also adds depth and complexity to your dishes. Whether you're flipping pancakes, frying malpuas, rolling parathas, or mixing up a refreshing sharbat, jaggery transforms everyday recipes into something special.
Ready to make the switch? Try these recipes and experience the goodness of jaggery for yourself. And remember, the best jaggery is organic and chemical-free, just like the ones from Two Brothers Organic Farms.
Therefore, in this season of rains and cravings, let jaggery be your companion, adding warmth, health, and a dash of sweetness to your table.
Happy cooking and even happier eating!
