In the frosty embrace of winter, the symphony of warmth is composed by comforting soups, snug blankets, and joyful moments; yet, for an anticipating mother, an additional layer of care and nourishment becomes imperative to safeguard both herself and her unborn child, fostering a journey of wholesome pregnancy. Indulge in a culinary journey with our selection of winter recipes, inspired by the rich tapestry of traditional Indian cuisine, blending health and flavor in every bite!
Healthy and Delicious Winter Recipes for Expectant Mothers
1. Dry Fruits Laddoo
Indulge in the exquisite harmony of taste, nourishment, and mouthfeel encapsulated within this delectable orb. Nutty confectionery spheres offer a guilt-free delight that demands no apologies! With all-natural sweetening and a high nutrition content, this treat is perfect for your sweet tooth cravings during pregnancy!
Ingredients
¼ cup cashews
¼ cup almonds
¼ cup walnuts or pistachios
8-10 dates, deseeded
4-5 dried figs
5-8 dried apricots
Optional
1 teaspoon sesame seeds
1 teaspoon pumpkin seeds
2 teaspoons desiccated coconut
10-12 raisins
Instructions
On medium to low heat, dry roast your cashews and almonds until they are slightly brown and aromatic.
Add the pistachios or walnuts and toast for another minute or two. Take the nuts out of your pan and put it aside to cool.
If you use any seeds or desiccated coconut in your laddoo, toast them off and keep them aside.
Add apricots, figs, and dates to the pan and stir until slightly warmed up. This increases their shelf life. Ensure you don’t overheat it and diminish its nutrient content. Keep it aside to cool.
Once everything has cooled down, add all the nuts and dried fruits into the blender and pulse into a coarse mixture (do not add the seeds if you are using them).
Put the mixture into a bowl, add your seeds and shaved coconut, if preferred, and mix well.
Divide the mixture into 10-15 portions, depending on the size of laddoos you prefer and roll them into balls.
Store it in an airtight box and consume it within 3-4 weeks.
Benefits
1.Indulge in an exquisite dance of flavors as rare taste symphonies waltz across your palate, crafting an unrivaled culinary masterpiece.
2. Natural sweetening and no added sugar reduce the risk of excessive weight gain and pregnancy complications.
2. Malabar Spinach Curry
Bursting forth with a symphony of tastes, this gastronomic marvel originates in the lively culinary realms of Kyoto, showcasing the exotic Mizuna greens, also referred to as Japanese mustard greens or Kyona, presenting a harmonious fusion of vital nutrients and minerals ideal for promoting overall well-being, enveloped in a delicately fragrant broth that promises a delightful balance of health and flavor!
Ingredients
1 bunch Malabar spinach, removed from the vine and finely chopped
2 onions, finely chopped
1 tomato, chopped
6 tablespoons grated coconut
5 garlic cloves
1 Kashmiri red chilli
4 black peppercorns
1 tablespoon coriander seeds
2 cloves/lavang
1 tamarind ball
1 tablespoon grated jaggery
2 tablespoons oil
Salt to taste
Instructions
Blend the vibrant spinach leaves, succulent diced tomatoes, and a duo of tablespoons of finely minced onions in a culinary symphony within the confines of a pressure cooker, infusing them with a cup of pure water, orchestrating a crescendo of flavors as they harmonize and soften through 3-4 melodious whistles, ultimately letting the pressure subside naturally. In a kadhai or deep pan, heat oil. Once hot, toss in the remaining chopped onions and sauté until translucent. Introduce garlic and cook until its raw aroma dissipates.
Blend in red chillies, coriander seeds, peppercorns, and cloves, frying the mixture for 2-3 minutes. Stir in grated coconut and continue frying until it attains a light brown hue.
Turn off the gas and let the mixture cool down. Once cooled, add the mixture into a grinder with the tamarind and ½ a cup of water and grind it into a thin gravy.
Pour the gravy base back into the kadhai, let it simmer for a few minutes, then add the vegetables from the pressure cooker with some water.
Mix in the grated jaggery and salt to taste and simmer on low heat for 8-10 minutes. Serve it hot.
Benefits
1.It relieves fatigue and regulates blood pressure, boosting your immune system. The iron content combats anaemia.
2.In the verdant realm of leafy greens, Malabar spinach stands as a nutrient-rich powerhouse, boasting a symphony of vitamins including A, B6, C, and D, along with a lavish ensemble of iron, potassium, protein, magnesium, and calcium—a botanical banquet tailored to meet the heightened nutritional demands of expectant mothers.
3. Gujarati Lapse
Indulge in the delightful sweetness of this pregnancy-friendly treat, crafted with care from wholesome broken wheat (daily), rich jaggery, crunchy nuts, and nourishing ghee— a delectable option that adds both taste and nutrition to your journey.
Ingredients
1 cup broken wheat (dalia/bulgar wheat/godumai rava)
1 cup jaggery
½ teaspoon cardamom/elaichi powder
¼ cup Sultana raisins
¼ cup broken cashews
2 tablespoons ghee
Instructions
Infuse the jaggery’s sweetness into 2 cups of hot water, sieving away any impurities, and reserve the liquid.
Sizzle a tablespoon of ghee in a pan, coaxing cashew nuts to a light golden hue, then set them aside.
In a broad pan over medium heat, lavish the remaining ghee, toasting broken wheat until it gleams orangish-gold.
Cascade the jaggery-infused water, sprinkle cardamom powder, and stir harmoniously until amalgamated.
Subdue the heat, cloak the pan, and let it serenade a gentle simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring sporadically for tender wheat.
Conclude the symphony, finding a non-mushy texture with grains standing proud, and let Lapsi luxuriate covered for 5 minutes.
Grace the creation with roasted cashew nuts and raisins, and present this culinary masterpiece.
Benefits
Dancing through the nutritional spectrum, broken wheat not only champions diabetes resistance, cholesterol reduction, and enhanced digestion but also fortifies bones with its abundance of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium—a boon for expectant mothers grappling with increased weight and joint strain. Moreover, the dish boasts a symphony of vitamins (A, B1, B2, B3, C, E, and K) that harmonize as antioxidants, eradicating free radicals and bestowing a radiant and robust health status during pregnancy.
4. Tamil Nadu’s Panchamirtham
A Southern Indian delight crafted for swift and effortless preparation, brimming with a delectable medley of fruits and nuts, making it an ideal indulgence suitable for any moment, particularly during the concluding trimester of pregnancy.
Ingredients
1 banana
3-4 dates
2-3 dried figs
10-15 raisins
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon grated jaggery
2 teaspoons rock sugar/mishri
⅛ teaspoon or a tiny of edible camphor/pacchai karpooram
¼ teaspoon cardamom/elaichi powder
Instructions
Chop the bananas, raisins, and figs and add the remaining ingredients, barring the ghee and rock sugar.
Mash it together or coarsely blend it in a blender.
Mix the rock sugar and ghee well and serve.
Benefits
1.The nutritious ingredients of Panchamirtham aid digestion and boost your skin, leaving it glowing.
2.Its vitamin and essential fatty acid content also boosts the heart, and the sugar boosts energy levels.
5. Besan Sheera
Besan Sheera is the perfect recipe for the chilly winter days (and nights!) to warm your body and awaken your taste buds! It is rich in nutrition and wards off colds and infections while boosting your health.
Ingredients
3 tablespoons gram four/besan
2 cups of milk, warmed
1 tablespoon ghee
¼ teaspoon black peppercorns, ground
¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
¼ teaspoon cardamom/elaichi powder
2 ½ teaspoons jaggery
2 teaspoons almonds, chopped or slivered
2 teaspoons pistachios, chopped or slivered
¼ gm or 1 pinch of saffron
Instructions
Add ghee to a saucepan and let it melt, then add in the besan. Mix well, and let the besan roast till it turns golden brown.
Slowly add the milk and whisk. Ensure the mixture is soft and smooth, is not dry, and is free of lumps.
Introduce the cinnamon infusion, ginger zest, nutmeg sprinkle, and agave syrup, blending until a harmonious fusion is achieved.
Benefits
1.The turmeric and pepper in a Besan Sheera are anti-inflammatory and protect from catching a cold or runny nose. It also induces a peaceful sleep.
2.The synergistic blend of nutrients in this dish not only fortifies maternal skeletal integrity but also fosters the ideal maturation of the fetal nervous system and spinal cord.
These quick and easy winter recipes are not only quick and easy to prepare, but they are delightful to devour! Additionally, the health benefits found in each recipe aid you during pregnancy so that you have one less thing to worry about regarding your diet and the health and safety of yourself and your baby!
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