The festival of Lohri is celebrated with absolute grandeur in India. We light a bonfire as per an ancient tradition to celebrate the harvest season. Apart from being famous for its grandeur, Lohri is also famous for the various delicacies that are a part of this festival.
A number of delicious dishes are prepared on this day. While they are equally delicious for everyone, they may or may not be suitable for a diabetic person. Sujata Sharma, BeatO Certified Diabetes Educator and Senior Nutritionist have some mouth-watering and diabetes-friendly Lohri recipes for you, so you can enjoy this festival without worrying about a spike in your sugar levels.
Lohri Recipes For People With Diabetes
Methi and Saunth Ladoo
We all have to agree that a traditional laddoo has a special place in everyone’s heart. But it is also high in sugar content and therefore, we have curated this Methi and Saunth Ladoo Recipe, just for you! Methi/ Fenugreek is extremely beneficial for diabetics and non-diabetics alike. Have a look-
Ingredients:
- Methi seeds – 80 gm
- Low-Carb Flour / Multigrain flour/ Buckwheat flour- 250 gm
- Gond (Gond Katira/ edible gum) – 100 gm
- Skimmed/ Toned milk ( For soaking Methi ) – 500 ml
- Ghee – 100 gm
- Almond – 50 gm
- Black Pepper – 8
- Cumin Powder – 10 gm
- Cardamom – 6
- Cinnamon – 2 (1-inch sticks)
- Nutmeg – 1
- Saunth – 30 gm
- Jaggery – 200 gm
Method:
- Wash and dry the methi seeds. Coarsely crush them and soak them in warm milk overnight.
- After soaking them for at least 8-10 hrs, strain the methi seeds and discard the milk.
- Heat half of the ghee in a kadhai, and fry the methi seeds till they’re lightly brown in colour. Keep them aside.
- In the same pan, add some ghee and fry the gond on low flame until it becomes slightly brown in colour. Keep it aside.
- Roast the low-carb multigrain flour in the same pan until it turns slightly brown.
- Chop the almonds, peel and crush the cardamom. Make a fine powder of nutmeg, cardamom, almonds and cinnamon. Mix it with saunth and keep it aside.
- Now crush/chop jaggery into small pieces. Melt them on a low flame to make a thick chashini/ syrup. Add the nuts powder to this mixture.
- When the chashini/ syrup is softened, combine all the ingredients and mix well.
- Let the mixture cool down and make 30 gm roundels/ laddoos.
- Let the ladoos cool down and dry up a little.
- Store these ladoos in an airtight container if you wish to consume them later.
Makhana Chironji Kheer
Any Indian festival is incomplete without Kheer. Traditionally, kheer is made with rice. Since rice can quickly lead to a spike in sugar levels, we have come up with this healthier alternative. Enjoy this healthy recipe but do not overindulge!
Ingredients
- Makhana – 2 cups
- Milk – 1.5 litre
- Chironji – 50 gm
- Saffron (Strands) – 2-3
- Ghee – 2 tbsp
- Cardamom – 4
- Almonds – 20 gm
- Sweetener – 4 tbsp (Add according to your taste)
Method
- Roast the makhana with ghee until it’s slightly brown in colour. Let it cool.
- Coarsely grind half of the makhana.
- In a heavy bottom pan, boil milk with cardamom.
- Reduce the milk to 3/4th its volume.
- Soak the saffron strands in 2 tsp of milk.
- Add the whole makhana to the milk. Cook for 5 minutes.
- Now add powdered makhana and sweetener. Cook until thickened.
- Roast nuts and Chironji in ghee and add half of it to the kheer.
- Garnish with remaining nuts and Chironji.
- Serve hot or chilled.
To Ki Barfi
It’s time to ditch Kaju Katli and Khoya Barfi and opt for something equally delicious and extremely healthy – Til Ki Barfi. Sesame seeds are known to reduce insulin resistance and improve your glucose metabolism. Celebrate this Lohri by enjoying this healthy barfi and do not forget to share it with your loved ones.
Ingredients
- Milk – 1 litre
- Khoya – 80 gm
- Safed Til ( White sesame) – 150 gm
- Sweetener – 3 tbsp
- Dried rose petals ( Optional) – 5 gm
- Ghee – 2 tsp
Method:
- Thoroughly clean the white sesame seeds.
- Dry roast them until they’re slightly brown in colour. Keep them aside to cool down completely.
- Roast the khoya with 1 tsp ghee until the ghee starts to separate.
- Boil the milk and reduce it on low flame till it’s slightly thickened.
- Now, add the khoya to the milk, along with sweetener and rose petals.
- Coarsely grind 75 % of the sesame seeds and add them to the milk mixture. Cook this mixture on medium flame, stirring it until the mixture is thickened.
- Coat a steel plate with the remaining ghee and finely spread the prepared mixture (about 1/4 inch thick).
- Add the remaining roasted sesame evenly on top.
- Let the mixture sit at room temperature for 20 minutes or until completely set.
- Cut in the desired shape and enjoy.
Note – If the barfi doesn’t set well, put it back on the heat and cook for another 5 to 10 minutes. If it’s too hard, loosen it up with some warm milk and set it up again. You can also add some peanuts to the barfi. It will give you some extra texture and crunch.
Kachchi Haldi Lassi
The best way to enjoy any meal is to pair it with a glass of Lassi. We have this Kachhi Haldi Lassi recipe for you which would leave you satiated and won’t lead to a spike in your sugar levels. Check out the recipe below-
Ingredients:
- Raw Turmeric – 50 gm
- Sweetener (sugar-free) – 2 tsp
- Low Fat Curd – 180 gm
- Pink Salt – a pinch
Method:
- Lightly peel the raw turmeric and put it in the blender with the rest of the ingredients and add a few ice cubes.
- Blend into a smooth paste. Add water to adjust consistency to your liking.
- Serve chilled.
While you want to enjoy every delicacy on Lohri, make sure that you follow some healthy practices to keep your sugar levels within the controlled range. Eat a healthy diet, stay hydrated, work out on a regular basis and do not forget to check your sugar level. You can speak to your doctor or health coach if you have any queries.