Ayurveda is based on the principle of three doshas, namely Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. It defines sound health, a right balance of body, mind, spirit, and social wellness.
The importance of leveling these elements is repeated numerous times in Ayurveda texts.
Science says, our health is directly governed by the food we eat. Ayurveda takes a step ahead. Not only it tells us what food to eat but also how to make and eat a food.
When it comes to desserts, Ayurveda has a distinct style of making these. It uses ghee over oil which is usually considered better for health.
Let’s take a look at some amazing sweets the Ayurveda style –
Almond Cake
Ingredients:
- Almonds – 1 cup
- Finely powdered palm sugar – 1 cup
- Ghee – 2 tablespoon
Method:
- Soak the almonds in water for an hour to remove its skin.
- Grind the de-skinned almonds to a thick and smooth paste by adding very little water.
- In a thick vessel, mix the palm sugar and 1/4 cup of water and heat.
- Once the sugar melts completely, add the almonds paste and cook for five minutes. Add ghee and remove from the fire.
- Pour on to a large plate and smoothen the surface of the mixture with a roller.
- Using a knife, cut into cubes.
Ayurvedic Benefits:
- Balances Kapha for optimum nourishment
Adhirasam
Ingredients:
- Rice – ½ kg
- Jaggery – 300 gm
- Ghee – 400 ml
- Water – sufficient quantity
Method:
- Soak the rice in water for thirty minutes. Then wash it and spread it on a cloth to dry.
- When the rice is almost dry, use a mixer to grind it to powder. Sieve thoroughly and keep aside.
- Make a thick syrup of jaggery by boiling it in some water. Mix it thoroughly with the rice powder.
- Leave the mixture for approximately 8 – 12 hours.
- Heat the ghee in a frying pan. Take balls of the mixture and flatten them to make round shapes on a smooth plantain leaf.
- Fry these balls to golden brown evenly on both the sides.
- Take them out of the frying pan and serve.
Ayurvedic Benefits:
- Benefits Pitta in terms of digestion
- Increases Kapha for nourishment and strength
- Aids Kapha for weight improvement, particularly in case of emaciation
Cashew Balls
Ingredients:
- Coarsely ground cashews – 1 Cup
- Granulated palm sugar- 1 cup
- Ghee – 2 tablespoon
Method:
- Mix the granulated palm sugar and sufficient water in a pan and heat until sugar melts completely.
- Add the cashews to the sugar syrup immediately.
- Stir them continuously till all the cashews are coated with syrup.
- With your hands greased with ghee, make balls out of small amounts of sweetened cashew mixture and roll.
- Allow the cashew balls to cool and then store them in an airtight container.
Ayurvedic Benefits:
- Balances Vata eliminating stress and promoting mental health
Pumpkin Halwa
Ingredients:
- Grated pumpkin – 3 cups
- Powdered palm sugar – 1 cup
- Cashew nuts – 10
- Ghee – 3 and a half spoons
- Honey – 5 spoons
Method:
- Steam the grated pumpkin and drain the excess liquid from it.
- On a saucepan, heat ½ spoon of ghee and add the steamed and mashed pumpkin to it.
- Then add the palm sugar to it and stir continuously on a low flame for 5 minutes. Add 2 spoons of ghee and stir the mixture well, on a low flame till the ghee floats.
- Roast the cashew nuts in 1 spoon of ghee and add to the halwa.
- Then take the halwa off from the flame. Once it is cooled, add honey and mix well.
Ayurvedic Benefits:
- Balances Pitta regulating body temperature. Also aids women in vaginal problems including white discharge.
- Improves Vata and Kapha for improved memory and intellect.
Panchamirtham
Ingredients:
- Banana – 1
- Grapes – 1 bunch
- Dry dates – 4 pieces
- Apple – 1
- Pomegranate – 1
- Jaggery – 150gm
- Honey – 25gm
Method:
- Cut all the fruits into even-sized small pieces. Add jaggery and honey to them.
- Mix the ingredients well and serve.
Ayurvedic Benefits:
- Easy digestion.
- Presence of fruits helps in natural detoxification.
Upshot:
Like most other desserts, these dishes are great on flavour and taste. What sets them apart is the health assurance that comes with Ayurveda.
The fact that Ayurveda uses superfoods in all its recipes, nutrition factor is almost guaranteed.
The best part with Ayurveda is its holistic side which perfectly defines the entire cycle, from picking the right food to guiding on the right way of consumption.
And this is perhaps where, it lies the success and age old popularity of Ayurveda. Isn’t it?
