Diwali sweets: Do this sugar-free Kaju Katli recipe

Once we consider Diwali sweets, Kaju Katli is the primary one to pop into your thoughts! This skinny, easy candy comprised of cashews melts in your mouth and is solely irresistible. Nonetheless, for these with diabetes or anybody seeking to reduce on sugar, conventional Kaju Katli can pose a problem. Whereas cashews themselves are an amazing supply of protein, wholesome fat, and antioxidants—and comprise no ldl cholesterol—including sugar can result in well being points, particularly through the festive season when sweets are in all places. However what if we advised you there’s a sugar-free Kaju Katli recipe that isn’t solely wholesome but additionally scrumptious? So, be prepared to find this guilt-free deal with, a do-it-yourself Diwali candy recipe.

Sugar in Diwali sweets could be dangerous!

Sugar is available in two types, pure and added. Pure sugars are present in complete meals—like fructose in fruits and lactose in milk. Alternatively, added sugars are combined into processed meals and embrace substances like brown sugar, cane sugar, and excessive fructose corn syrup. Whereas having fun with a small quantity of sugar could be wonderful, extreme consumption, particularly for these with diabetes, can result in excessive blood sugar ranges and varied well being points, together with weight achieve, coronary heart issues, dental points, and even pimples.

A evaluation printed in Advances in Nutrition highlights that prime sugar consumption is a big contributor to weight problems and persistent illnesses like kind 2 diabetes. That’s the reason the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends protecting added sugar to lower than 10 p.c of each day calorie consumption.

With the festive season right here, its is tough to disregard Diwali sweets however it’s higher to go for a more healthy alternative? Check out this scrumptious sugar-free Kaju Katli recipe to keep away from excessive blood sugar ranges and the danger of weight gain!

Sugar-free Kaju Katli recipe

Here’s a wholesome strategy to put together your favorite Kaju Katli at dwelling with out using sugar:

Components

• 250 grams of cashew nuts (kaju)
• 3 tablespoons stevia or erythritol/half cup jaggery powder (rather than sugar)
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
• 1 tablespoon ghee (clarified butter)
• Chopped nuts for garnish (elective)
• Edible silver leaf (vark) for adornment (elective)

Directions

Step 1: Soak cashews

• Begin by soaking the cashew nuts in water for 2-3 hours. This can soften them, making them simpler to mix right into a easy paste.
• After soaking, drain the cashews and pat them dry with a clear towel. This step is crucial to take away extra moisture.

Step 2: Put together cashew paste

• Add cashews in a blender or meals processor. Mix them till they kind a wonderful powder. Keep away from over-blending, which may flip them into cashew butter. You desire a consistency just like coarse flour.

Step 3: Put together the syrup

• In a non-stick pan, add the water and stevia (or erythritol). Warmth the combination over medium flame till it begins to simmer, stirring constantly to make sure the sweetener dissolves utterly.
• Enable the syrup to simmer for a couple of minutes till it reaches a barely sticky consistency. You’ll be able to check this by dropping a small quantity into chilly water–it ought to kind a gentle ball.

NOTE: You may as well use jaggery (pure sugar) as an alternative of stevia. Use low flame to warmth jaggery powder and water in a non-stick kadai. Stir constantly till the jaggery dissolves utterly. As soon as the jaggery syrup reaches the specified consistency, you possibly can add the cashew powder to the syrup. Kaju Katli is often white or yellow in color, nonetheless, utilizing jaggery will give Kaju Katli a brown color.

Step 4: Mix substances

• As soon as the syrup is prepared, scale back the warmth and regularly add the cashew powder whereas stirring constantly. This helps stop lumps from forming.
• Add the cardamom powder and ghee to the combination. Proceed stirring for about 5-7 minutes till the combination begins to go away the perimeters of the pan and types a dough-like consistency.

Step 5: Put together the dough

• As soon as the combination has thickened, take away it from the warmth and let it cool for a couple of minutes. Watch out, as it’s going to nonetheless be scorching.
• As soon as cool sufficient to deal with, knead the combination along with your fingers till it turns into easy and pliable. If it feels too sticky, you possibly can add a bit ghee to assist with consistency.

Step 6: Roll and minimize

• Place the dough between two sheets of parchment paper. Roll it out to your required thickness, about 1/4 inch.
• Use a pointy knife to chop the rolled-out dough into diamond-shaped items and gently take away Kaju Katli utilizing a knife. You may as well garnish every bit with chopped nuts or edible silver leaf.

Additionally learn: Post-Diwali detox: 9 ways to detoxify your body after the festive season

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Step 7: Serve

• Enable the Kaju Katli to chill utterly at room temperature. As soon as set, you possibly can retailer them in an hermetic container.

Get pleasure from a wholesome and completely happy Diwali with some wholesome sweets!