The festive season isn’t complete without sweets, and with Ganeshotsav in full swing, modaks and laddoos are making their way into every home. This year, give your celebrations a healthier spin with versions made from wholesome, natural ingredients — a perfect blend of tradition and wellness that lets you enjoy every bite guilt-free.
Traditionally, ukadiche modak is made without dairy, but you can always tweak the flavours and ingredients to suit your preferences. Choosing lighter, wholesome desserts during the festive season is a mindful choice many people are making today
Chef Ashutosh Arun Nerlekar
Benefits of plant-based desserts (— Inputs by Yashra Ansari, nutritionist)
- A good option for those with hormonal concerns
- Lower in fat and higher in fibre, thanks to ingredients like coconut and dry fruits
- Easy to digest, light on the stomach, and relatively low in calories
- Healthy fats from coconut and nuts support overall well-being
- Jaggery adds natural sweetness, boosts immunity, and provides energy
These healthy recipes let you enjoy festive desserts guilt-free, as they’re light and easy to digest
Chef Vignesh Ramachandran
Black sesame ukadiche modakIngredients: Rice flour, black sesame seeds, coconut jaggery, a pinch of salt and waterMethod:
- Mix rice flour in hot water with a pinch of salt and form a dough
- For the filling, mix shredded fresh coconut and black sesame seeds with jaggery
- Stuff the filling in the rice flour dough and shape it into a modak
- Steam the modaks for 15-20 minutes and serve hot
Almond mango pedaIngredients: Almond flour, sugar/jaggery or any sweetener, mango puree, and cardamomMethod:
- Mix the almond flour in hot sugar syrup and mix
- Once it cools down, add mango puree to it a form a dough
- Shape it into small pedas and serve
Other healthy desserts you can try
- Dry fruits laddoo
- Chocolate modaks
- Peanut butter fudge modaks
- Oat milk/ almond milk kheer
