Lauki/bottle gourd Barfi
Barfi or burfi is a sweet confectionery from the Indian Subcontinent. The name originates from the Persian word Barf which means snow. The confection is served in India, all year round, it has many varieties. Main ingredients of plain barfis include condensed milk and sugar. The ingredients are cooked in a vessel until the mixture solidifies.
Hi friends!Here is the recipe of a yummilicious bottle gourd barfi . It is easy to make and is very tasty to eat!
Preparation Time : 5-10 minutes
Cooking time : 20-25 minutes
Servings : 6-8
Cuisine: Indian
Course: Indian Desserts
Level Of Cooking: Easy
Ingredients:
- 500 gms Bottle gourd /lauki/Ghiya, grated
- 150 gms Khoya/mawa, grated
- 500 ml Milk
- 1/2 cup Sugar
- 10 Almonds
- 10 Cashews
- 15 Pistachoos
- 1/2 tsp Ghee for greasing
- 6 Green cardamoms, powdered
Method :
Step 1.
Wash, peel and grate the Bottle gourd /lauki/Ghiya.
Step 2.
In a wok / kadahi/ heavy bottom pan take milk and add grated Bottle gourd /lauki/Ghiya, and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and let the Bottle gourd /lauki/Ghiya cook on low flame till 90 % milk is absorbed.
Step 3.
Add khoya, cardamom powder and sugar. Mix well and cook for five to ten minutes or till mixture thickens. Add slivered almonds, cashews, and pistachios to the mix.
Step 4.
Grease an aluminum tray with ghee. Remove from heat, pour into the greased tray and spread evenly.
Step 5.
Sprinkle chopped nuts and set aside for cooling.
Step 6.
Cut into squares and serve.
Possible health benefits of Bottle gourd /lauki/Ghiya:
In fact, traditional healers recommended consumption of this bottle gourd to treat various conditions. Here are some of its benefits you must know.
Aids digestion: People suffering from constipation should eat bottle gourd as it is high in fibre and helps clear the food stuck in your colon. Additionally, juice made out of bottle gourd also helps in the treatment of acidity as it is alkaline in nature [1].
Great for weight loss Bottle gourd is one of the best foods you can have if you want to lose weight as it is 96% water, and a 100g serving contains as little as 12 calories. The high fibre content will take care of your hunger, and keep you feeling full.
Helps treat urinary disorders Bottle gourd has a cooling effect on your body, and a glass of bottle gourd juice is a great diuretic that can be used to treat burning sensation while passing urine. This burning sensation is caused due to high levels of acid in the urine, which can be countered by the alkaline nature of bottle gourd juice.
Refreshes you during summers: Just like cucumber, bottle gourd too has a high amount of water which keeps you hydrated during summers. Drinking a glass of its juice will ensure that you do not face loss of sodium, fatigue or extreme thirst while you are out in the sun. This makes it great for people whose jobs require them to travel in daylight.
Prevents heart disease: Unhealthy lifestyles are leading to several cases of heart disease in urban India. So much so that, 70% of the urban population is at risk of heart disease due to wrong lifestyle choices like eating fried and processed foods, smoking, etc. Like a lot of fruits and vegetables, bottle gourd has zero cholesterol and is rich in vitamins like vitamin C and antioxidants making it good for your heart [3].
Reduces stress It is quite easy to feel stressed in today’s times, and unhealthy eating can only worsen the situation. Bottle gourd has a high water content has a cooling effect on your body which makes you feel better the very moment you take it. It also has diuretic, sedative and antibilious properties which makes your body feel better internally, and keeps stress at bay.
Ref. http://www.thehealthsite.com/fitness/health-benefits-lauki-dudhi-bottle-gourds-sa114/
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- Nick’s kitchen is for Vegetarians. It sometimes provides education and support to individuals who want to become vegetarian, or move toward a more vegetarian diet.
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