sweet
Mouthwatering Sweet and Savoury Recipes for Holy Shab-e-Barat
Shab-e-Barat, a night of forgiveness and blessings, is a significant occasion for Muslims worldwide. As the night approaches, families gather to pray and share joyous moments. What better way to enhance the celebration than indulging in sweet and savoury delights? Here, we present exclusive recipes for a delectable Shab-e-Barat feast.
10 Delicious Shab-e-Barat Special Recipes for Bangladeshi Kitchen
Chickpeas Barfi (Cholar Dal-er Barfi)
Ingredients
1/2 cup chickpeas (cholar dal), 1 cup sugar, 3 tablespoons ghee, 1/2 teaspoon powdered cardamom, 2 cups thick milk, 1 tablespoon condensed milk, and 2 tablespoons mixed, dry fruits (as desired, for garnishing, preferably cashews for decoration)
Instructions
First, soak chickpeas (cholar dal) for 2 hours, and grind. Then mix the paste in thick milk with cardamom and a tablespoon of ghee. Cook on low heat, stirring to avoid sticking.
Now, gradually add the rest of the ghee. Once thickened, transfer to a greased plate, let it set for 30 minutes, then cut into square shapes. You can garnish with cashews or preferred dry fruits before serving.
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Shahi Carrot Halwa (Gajar-er Shahi Malai Halwa)
Ingredients
500 grams carrots, 1/2 cup milk, 1 teaspoon fresh cream (malai), 2 tablespoons ghee, 1/2 cup sugar or as needed, 1 pinch salt, 10-12 cashew nuts (chopped), 12 raisins, 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder, 250 ml full cream milk, 6 tablespoon powder milk, and 1 tablespoon date palm jaggery
Instructions
First, peel and grate carrots. Boil milk, add milk powder and date palm jaggery for malai. Simmer until semi-thick. Next, fry grated carrots in ghee, sweeten them with sugar, and cook in milk. Then, combine with malai, stirring constantly.
After that, roast cashews, raisins, and cardamom powder in ghee, mix with halwa, set in a mould, and garnish with cashews. Serve Shahi Malai Gajar Halwa warm for a delectable sweet dessert with a twist.
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Semolina Halwa (Neshesta Halwa)
Ingredients1 cup fine suji/semolina, 1 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 4 tablespoons ghee, 1 teaspoon rose water, 2 drops red/orange/green food colour, 1/4 cup pistachio (finely chopped), and 1/4 cup almond (thin slices)
Instructions
First, wash suji twice and soak it in 2-3 cups of water overnight. Drain the water, add 2 cups of water, and rub well. Next, strain using a cotton cloth, preserving the strained starch.
Then, in a small vessel, mix the starch with sugar, ghee, lemon juice, and rose water. Cook on medium heat, stirring continuously on low flame until it becomes transparent and absorbs all the ghee. At this stage, add colour, cook until well-mixed, then add pistachio nuts. Freeze, garnish with sliced almonds, cut as desired, and enjoy!
Read more: 7 Exclusive Halwa Ideas, Recipes for holy Shab-e-Barat
Coconut Barfi (Narikel-er Barfi)
Ingredients
2 cups coconut paste, 1 cup thick milk, 2 tablespoons semolina (suji), 1/2 cup ghee, 1 cup sugar, 1 piece cardamom powder, 2 pieces chopped almonds, and 1 tablespoon raisins
Instructions
First, heat ghee in a pan, add semolina, and roast. Add coconut paste, stir until roasted, then add milk, sugar, chopped almonds, and raisins. Stir continuously until the mixture thickens.
Then, sprinkle cardamom powder, mix well, and transfer the mixture to a greased plate. Level it and cut it into desired shapes. Garnish with raisins and almonds. This narikel barfi can be stored for a few days.
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Egg Masub (Dim-er Monsur Pak)
Ingredients
3/4 cup oil or ghee, 3 eggs, 3/4 cup sugar, and crushed cardamom.
Instructions
First, in a deep pan, combine eggs, sugar, and oil. Stir with a whisk, incorporating crushed cardamom. Heat the mixture on the stove, stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Use a wooden spatula for even stirring and cook for 10 minutes until the oil separates, and the colour and texture change.
Then, turn off the stove. Transfer the mixture to a deep bowl or tin, press it evenly, tilt it to remove excess oil, and let it cool. Finally, cut into squares or rectangles, garnish with cashews, and enjoy this delectable treat.
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8 months ago
How to fight sugar cravings with healthy foods, drinks
People who experience a sugar craving feel a strong yearning to eat something sweet and can find it difficult to control themselves around sugary food. This can lead to over-consuming calories. Sometimes, it happens on a regular basis. Sugar cravings may happen due to blood sugar imbalance. Various research shows that sugar cravings are not good at all for health. If you experience sugar cravings, continue reading to know how to combat sugar cravings.
Why are sugar cravings bad for health?
Research shows that sugar has an effect on the brain similar to that of an addictive drug. Therefore, if you want to remove it quickly from your diet, it can cause withdrawal symptoms like fatigue, depression, headaches, and muscle aches. However, it is not easy to quit. Taking too much sugar helps to ride blood sugar dysregulation, and can perpetuate physical stress and ultimately increase sugar cravings.
The journal Nutrients published a report in November 2016 that eating too much sugar can increase the risk for obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, cognitive decline, and certain types of cancer.
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Which factors are causing you to crave sugar?
Check below some of the potential causes that are responsible for increasing your sugar craving.
Dehydration
Thirst can create hunger or a food craving. When you are thirsty, you feel dehydration which ultimately helps you to eat anyway.
Poor Diet Quality
Consuming too many carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats or consuming white, refined carbohydrates that are available in processed foods can increase hunger and sugar cravings. Therefore, you need to improve the quality of your regular diet to minimise sugar cravings.
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Hormonal Changes
Women feel a craving for sugar due to hormones such as oestrogen, progesterone, and estradiol (or oestradiol). Research has shown that estradiol can be associated with an increase in food cravings.
Stress
Stress also causes sugar cravings. A previous study found that chronic stress had a significant direct effect on food cravings that ultimately had a significant effect on body mass index (BMI).
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Nutrient Deficiencies
When you have deficiencies in certain minerals like zinc, chromium, iron, calcium, and magnesium may lead to sugar cravings.
Best Foods to Fight Sugar Cravings
Sugar cravings are common and it is more common among women. If you experience a sugar craving, you will feel a strong urge to eat something sweet and can find it difficult to control yourself around food. However, luckily, you can take the following best foods to fight sugar cravings.
Fruits and Vegetables
Though Fruits are naturally sweet, they also contain lots of beneficial plant compounds and fibre and help you to fix and keep them healthy. To satisfy your sugar cravings, eat fruits and vegetables that are slightly higher in sugar.
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Berries
To stop your sugar cravings, you can choose berries that are excellent, and nutritious. They contain fibre contents which are actually quite low in sugar.
Besides, berries have plant compounds rich in strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These contents may help reduce risk factors for chronic diseases including heart disease and diabetes.
Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are a good source of many important nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, soluble dietary fibre, and some healthy plant compounds. This sort of fibre forms a jelly-like substance in your gut to help keep you feeling fuller for longer and prevent sugar cravings. If you want to lose weight naturally, Chia seeds can be a good choice.
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Legumes
Legumes such as lentils, beans, and chickpeas are great plant-based sources of fibre and protein to increase feelings of fullness. Therefore,including legumes in your diet, you can feel fuller and reduce hunger-driven sugar cravings.
Yogurt
Yogurt is considered a healthy snack as it is high in protein and rich in calcium. Besides, it could be a good snack to regulate your appetite and control your cravings.
Dates
Dates which are the dried fruit of the date palm tree are highly nutritious and very sweet. Dates can be your best choice as they are a great source of fibre, potassium, iron, and beneficial plant compounds. Having some dates can minimise your sugar cravings amazingly.
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Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are nutritious and sweet. They contain carbs, fibre, and a number of vitamins and minerals along with vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium. By consuming sweet potatoes, you can reduce sugar cravings.
Meat, Poultry, and Fish
Taking protein like meat, poultry, or fish in your meals may help prevent sugar cravings. Eating ample amounts of protein may be very important for managing your food intake, cravings, and weight.
Eggs
Eating eggs is another way to keep your appetite and cravings in check. Having a high-protein breakfast- eggs may reduce hunger and help people eat less throughout the day.
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Whole Grains
Whole grain foods like wheat, rice, barley, corn, oats, rye, etc., are packed with fibre and nutrients like B vitamins, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, manganese, and selenium that may help you feel full.
Oats
Oats are a good source of soluble fibre that helps prevent hunger and can help lower glucose levels and curb sugar cravings. But avoid taking instant oatmeal packets as they are highly processed and high in added sugars.
Avocado
4 ½ cups of avocado offer about 8 g of fibre as well as healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats and so it is one of the best foods to fight sugar cravings.
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Best Drinks to Fight Sugar Cravings
Water
You know well water is vital to our overall health and vitality. Drinking water will keep you hydrated and help to fight sugar cravings.
Golden milk
Golden milk is known as turmeric milk. It has many positive benefits like blood sugar regulation. To get the best result, add turmeric, cinnamon, and ginger but not sugar with milk.
Chamomile tea
Taking chamomile tea also helps you to fight sugar cravings as chamomile improves glycemic control markers in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
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Other Ways to Fight Sugar Cravings
Besides food and drink you need to take proper exercise to fight sugar cravings. Fasting also helps you with this issue. Moreover, make sure to follow a healthy diet plan. If you can still feel uncontrollable cravings for sugar then consult with a nutritionist.
2 years ago
Yummy Homemade Jalebi Recipes Using Healthy Ingredients
Just like other sweets, Jalebi is one of the most popular desserts in Asia, especially in India and Bangladesh. Jalebi is also known as Jilipi or Jilape. This flavorful crispy and crunchy dessert is dipped in sugar syrup during preparation. Do you wish to prepare this mouthwatering dessert at home but have no experience! Stay with us to know how to make jalebi at home with healthy ingredients. Whether you are a beginner or a skilled chef, these yummy Jalebi recipes will amaze you.
7 Best Healthy Jalebi Recipes to Prepare at Home
Green Mango Jalebi of Rajshahi
Green mangoes are enriched with a bunch of vitamins and nutrients, such as vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B6, vitamin A, magnesium, dietary fibres, calcium, iron, etc. You can try the green mango jalebi recipe at home. This mouth-watering, nourishing sweet is specially made at Rajshahi in Bangladesh.
Ingredients
(2 servings)
1 cup maida, 1/2 cup curd, 1 tsp vinegar, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 cup water, 2 tsp green mango puree, Oil for frying
Sugar syrup ingredients
1 cup sugar, 3/4 cup water, Pinch saffron, 1/4 tsp cardamom powder
Steps
First, prepare a batter. Then take a pan to make sugar syrup with the ingredients of syrup. Next, put a piping bag inside a glass and pour the batter to make jalebi. Fry the jalebi and finally dip the fried jalebi in sugar syrup and serve it hot.
Rainbow jalebi
Are you looking for a colourful Jalebi recipe for kids? You can try the Rainbow jalebi at home. Your kids will like it the most.
Ingredients
(5 servings)
3 cups Maida, 1/4 cup Rice flour, 3 tbsp Ghee, 2 cups Water
Sugar syrup ingredients
1/2 cup Water, 2 Cups Sugar, 1 small Cinnamon, 3 Cardamoms, 1 tbsp Lemon juice
Food colors ( as per required and choice)
Steps
First, prepare a batter with maida, rice flour, ghee, and water. Then take a pan to make sugar syrup with the ingredients of syrup. Next, put a piping bag inside a glass and pour the batter to make jalebi. Fry the jalebi and finally dip the fried jalebi in sugar syrup ( different color) and rainbow jalebi is ready.
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Instant Jalebi
Do jalebis showcased at the roadside shops often attract you. Stop buying Jalebi from shops. You can prepare jalebi at home with some simple ingredients.
Ingredients
(4 serving)
4 spoons of all-purpose flour, 1 spoon curd, 1/2 spoon Eno, as needed Water, as required Oil for frying, 1 cup water (for syrup), 4 seeds Cardamom, 1 cup sugar, as required Food color (optional)
Steps
First, make a thick batter with water, Eno, curd, and flour. Then, prepare the syrup with water, sugar, and cardamom. Next, put a piping bag inside a glass and pour the batter to make jalebi. Fry the jalebis on medium flame. Transfer the jalebis to the syrup. You need to wait about two minutes for the jalebis to absorb the syrup. Finally, drain and serve hot.
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Instant Mawa Jalebi
Are you planning to prepare Jalebi for special occasions, or family parties? Try Mawa Jalebi. This dessert is very delicious and nutritious. You can prepare it within a short time.
Ingredients
(4 serving)
1 cup instant gulab jamun mix, 200 grams (1 cup) of sugar, 1 cup water, 1/4 tsp elaichi powder, as required Few Kesar strands (optional), 1/2 cup milk, as required Ghee for frying, 1 tsp lime juice
Steps
First, make sugar syrup with the above-mentioned measurements of sugar and water. Then, prepare the batter with the Gulab jamun mix, elaichi powder, and milk. Next, deep fry the jalebi in medium hot oil. Transfer the jalebis to the syrup. You need to wait about two minutes for the jalebis to absorb the syrup. Finally, drain and serve hot.
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Aloo jalebi
Aloo or potatoes is our regular ingredient of cooking. Of course, your whole family will enjoy this jalebi recipe. So, don’t miss trying it at home!
Ingredients
(2 servings)
200-gram flour, 2 medium boiled potatoes, 1/2 cup curd, 1/4 tbsp fruit salt, Oil for frying, 1 pinch saffron, 1/4 tsp cardamom powder
Steps
Make sugar syrup by boiling sugar, cardamom powder, and saffron powder in water for 5-7 min. In a container, add flour, curd, boiled and mashed potatoes, salt, and make a thick batter. Deep fry the jalebi in medium hot oil. Transfer the jalebis to the syrup. You need to wait about two minutes for the jalebis to absorb the syrup. Finally, drain and serve hot.
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Instant Sooji Jalebi
We all like sooji more or less. If you prepare a jalebi recipe with sooji, your family member’s will definitely like it. The Sooji Jalbe is both healthy and tasty.
Ingredients
(4 servings)
1 cup Maida, 1/4 cup sooji, 1/2 cup curd,2 pinch salt, oil to fry, 2 cups sugar,1/2 cup water, 1 tsp Lemon juice, 4-5 Saffron threads, 2 pinch Cardamom powder
2 drops of yellow food color (optional), Warm water, 1/2 tsp Baking soda
Steps
First, prepare the sugar syrup. First, mix all ingredients and make your batter. Deep fry the jalebi in medium hot oil. Transfer the jalebis to the syrup. You need to wait about two minutes for the jalebis to absorb the syrup. Finally, drain and serve hot.
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Rubri Jalebi
Are you looking for a healthy recipe to prepare Jalebi for kids at home? Try the Rubri Jalebi. It tastes fantastic!
Ingredients
(4 serving)
250 grams refined oil, 100ml water, 100ml maida, as required baking soda, as required Refined oil, as required Orange food color, as taste Sugar, as required Curd, as required Condensed milk
Steps
First, prepare a batter with maida, rice flour, ghee, and water. Then take a pan to make sugar syrup with the ingredients of syrup. Next, put a piping bag inside a glass and pour the batter to make jalebi. Transfer the jalebis to the syrup. You need to wait about two minutes for the jalebis to absorb the syrup. Finally, drain and serve hot.
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Bottom Line
Who doesn't like the crispy sweet dish jalebi? It is one of the most popular items for iftar after daylong fasting in Bangladesh. Besides this, the sweet dish is served in various social and religious programs. Children always like this dessert. However, many of us buy Jalebi from local shops. Wouldn’t it be better if you can prepare this tasty sweet at home? Certainly, homemade jalebis will be fresher, yummier, healthier, and safer for you and your family.
Wish our above-mentioned healthy Jalebi recipes will inspire you to prepare these sweets at home! You can surprise your family any time with these jalebi recipes. Don't forget to try Green Mango Jalebi of Rajshahi at home. It is really tasty, healthy with fresh green mango flavor and your children definitely will like it for its fresh green color.
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2 years ago