Beetroot & Carrot Halwa

By Varda Agrawal,

Are you expecting a baby? Or are you planning for one? ; Then it is the right time that you take good care of yourself and your diet. A mother who takes a healthy and well balanced diet surely gives birth to a well nourished baby.

The journey from “Wife” to “Mom To Be” to “Being a Mom” is very beautiful, enjoyable and should be treasured. Every woman deserves to be loved, pampered and should be taken care of especially in this phase of life.

During pregnancy most women face the problems like anaemia, low B.P., joint pain, swelling of feet etc. The gynaec and family members advice us to eat Beetroot. But due to loss of taste, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting or just the dislike of beetroot we fail to eat Beetroot and hence miss the magic hidden in it.

Just imagine, that we are craving for sweet delicacies and our Mom or Mom in law serves us Sweet dish with lots of nutrition hidden in it. What a treat it would be!!

Yes am talking about Beetroot Carrot Halwa!

Image Source: In the picture

Let us summarize the benefits of eating Beetroot in Pregnancy

• Betaine present in the Beetroot is an anti inflammatory agent hence prevents swelling of feet and joint pain.

• Rich source of folic acid needed for good development of spinal cord, hence preventing birth defects.

• Gives us immunity.

• Rich source of Calcium and Silica hence prevents Osteoporosis.

• Rich source of Potassium, hence maintains electrolyte balance, and improves metabolism.

• Purifies blood, preventing infections in babies.

• Rich source of Iron and hence increases haemoglobin content.

• Low glycemic index so it stabilizes blood glucose level.

• Rich source of Vit A and Vit E.

So can we miss on this very beneficial super food in this important phase of our life …?

Here is the recipe … Pamper your taste buds and your health too.

Ingredients:-

• Beetroot ( Peeled & Grated)  :-   1 Cup

• Carrot ( Peeled & Grated)      :-   1 Cup

• Ghee                                      :-   4 Tbsp

• Whole Milk                             :-   2  Cup

• Sugar                                      :- ¾ Cup

• Cardamom Powder               :-1 Tbsp

• Almonds                                 :- Garnishing

• Raisins                                    :-Garnishing

• Saffron                                   :- Garnishing

Recipe:-  

• Heat 2 tablespoon of ghee or butter in a heavy bottom pan, add grated carrot and beetroot and sauté them for 2-3 minutes on medium heat.

• Add milk and cook on medium heat until the milk condenses

• Add sugar. Stir well and simmer until it thickens again.

• Stir in the saffron, cardamom powder raisins. And garnish with almonds.

• It can be served hot or chilled as you may like.

TIPS:-

Khoya or full cream can be added along with the sugar but khoya made at home or fresh cream collected at home should be preferred during pregnancy and lactation specially to avoid the risk of adulterations in the sweet shops

If having gestational diabetes, sugar can be replaced by Dates.

Saffron can be soaked in a few spoons of milk to get nice colour and taste and cardamom powder can be added when halwa cools down to get a good flavour.