As individuals, we all crave desserts and confectionaries. Of course, none of us would want to live a life without coke and candies, especially for younger kids living with diabetes. Over the last few years, having come across multiple substitutes of sugar, finding the right one and pairing it with desserts was the trickiest part.

Now, we have a magical plant, stevia. The extract of stevia or more commonly known as ‘Meethi Tulsi’ in India has a very strikingly different taste and aftertaste. How does it help? A blend of stevia with other sweeteners has been developed over the years to be added to sweets that taste close or identical to ‘sugary sweets’ that are readily available in the market.

Here are two of my personal favourite recipes that I have created over the last few years.

Gajar ka Halwa

We all die for gajar ka halwa during the winters. It is one of the finest desserts India has presented to the world. With just two simple ingredients, carrots and milk, you can make it at home. I cannot stop myself but go running to the kitchen whenever my mom makes gajar ka halwa, years later I’ve learned this recipe from her. If you are worried about calories then don’t worry at all, my gajar ka halwa has zero sugar in it and promises only smiles 🙂

Ingredients:
1 kg Carrot
1 Litre Milk
2 Teaspoons of all-natural Stevia
4 Elaichi
10 Patti Kesar
20 Pieces Almond 10 Pieces Pistachio

Method:
1. Grate the Carrots and add Ghee if needed. Heat 2 teaspoons of
ghee and add the Carrots to it. Heat it for 3-4 minutes.
2. Add milk to it and let it boil. After it boils, lower the flame and use a spatula to stir it 3. Add Elaichi powder to it.
4. Stir it for 20-25 minutes at regular intervals.
5. Add Stevia when the milk is semi-liquid.
6. Turn off the flame and Add Almonds, Pistachio, and Kesar.

Sandesh

This delicacy came from Bengal. It is made using freshly made paneer or chenna which is flavoured with a few more ingredients. Sandesh has a very rich texture and it can satisfy your sweet tooth at any time. At least it does for me 😉

Ingredients:
1 Litre Full Cream Milk
2 Lemons
All-natural Stevia
5 Cardamom
20-25 Threads of Saffron
12 Pistachios

Method:
1. Take milk in a vessel with a heavy base or bottom and let it simmer on a low flame.
2. Add some water to the lemon juice.
3. When you see a gentle boil in the milk, turn off the flame and let the milk cool down a little. Now add lemon water to the slightly warm milk in small portions.
4. Stir and keep stirring constantly. When the milk starts to coagulate, then stop adding milk.
5. Strain this mixture through a muslin cloth and pour some cold water over it. Hold the cloth tight and squeeze out every drop of water from it.
6. Chena is ready, transfer it to another plate and start mashing it. Keep kneading for 5 to 6 minutes until smooth.
7. Mix some cardamom powder as well. Thinly chop the pistachios.
8. Now mix saffron and stevia in chena and mix well.
9. Then pinch a small lump from the mixture and roll it into an oval shape peda. Keep it over a plate.
10. Garnish with some chopped pistachios and continue doing the same until the entire chena is utilized.

Don’t suppress your cravings now, instead eat a dessert. Minus the sugar of course. For more information on fitness and nutrition, visit the Activ Living Page.