To start something new you need a purpose and my purpose in life is to ensure that my children get the healthiest food to eat. I need to be very careful and carry out a lot of experiments to ensure that Mannat, my oldest son who has Celiac Disease gets to enjoy everything his heart desires. Last year, around Diwali his school an Indian Sweet Day and I was challenged to come up with some delicious Indian dessert that should be gluten free.I wasn't really sure if I could come up with anything but then I spoke to a friend who also has a child with a food allergy and she advised me that you could definitely tweak some of the most popular Indian desserts and make them gluten-free. The whole process was a bit time consuming and involved many trials and errors but the results were absolutely delicious and gluten-free!
The good news is that you don't have to go through the trouble as I'm sharing my top Indian dessert recipes that are gluten-free and loved by one and all.1. Rasgulla
2. Besan LadooMy grandmother used to make the best ladoos when I was growing up. Later, my friend Rabani's ladoos became my favourite. She used to serve them at all her dinner parties. She inspired me to try my very own version.Ingredients:1.1 kg besan (Besan available in the market may be adulterated with maida unless it is stamped gluten free. I grind my own besan. It is super easy. Just take channa dal and grind it. Remember all freshly ground stuff has shorter shelf life but it is cleaner and safer.)2. 1 kg castor sugar3. 5 Tbsp ghee4. 2-3 tsp cardamom Powder5. Few saffron threadsMethod:1. In a thick pan, add the ghee and besan along with the cardamom powder and start cooking over a low flame. Keep stirring till its colour deepens to a pale brown. Add a few saffron threads.2. Take it off the flame and add the castor sugar. Stir it quickly and begin making balls the minute you can touch it.3. Place the balls in a flat dish which is lined with ghee. Let it cool for a while and you're ready to serve.
3. KalakandKalakand is a popular Indian Sweet made out of solidified, sweetened milk and paneer. I used condensed milk and just removed the milk powder.Ingredients:1.1 tin sweetened condensed milk2. 500 gms fresh paneer, crumbled3. 1 -2 tsp cardamon Powder4. Few saffron Threads5. 8-10 nuts - pistachios, optionalMethod:1. Mash the paneer coarsely and mix it with sweetened condensed milk.2. Heat the mixture in a thick bottom pan. Cook on medium heat with constant stirring till the mixture becomes thick and starts leaving the sides of the pan.3. Remove from the fire and spread onto a greased plate. Sprinkle cardamom powder and crushed pistachio.4. Cool at room temperature and then place in the refrigerator till completely cool and then cut into squares.
This year, I plan to make coconut ladoos and gulab jamun and someday I'd definitely like to try my hand at making gluten-free jalebis! Till then, give these recipes a shot and enjoy a sweet gluten-free Diwali!About the Author:Aarti Sarin Jain is an avid baker and runs an exclusive gluten-free test kitchen. She discovered the joys of a gluten-free living after her elder kid was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. She often experiments with new forms and varieties of gluten-free food without compromising either on taste or quality. You can read more on her blog, www.bakingfrommyheart.com.Disclaimer:The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. NDTV is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of NDTV and NDTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.
3. KalakandKalakand is a popular Indian Sweet made out of solidified, sweetened milk and paneer. I used condensed milk and just removed the milk powder.Ingredients:1.1 tin sweetened condensed milk2. 500 gms fresh paneer, crumbled3. 1 -2 tsp cardamon Powder4. Few saffron Threads5. 8-10 nuts - pistachios, optionalMethod:1. Mash the paneer coarsely and mix it with sweetened condensed milk.2. Heat the mixture in a thick bottom pan. Cook on medium heat with constant stirring till the mixture becomes thick and starts leaving the sides of the pan.3. Remove from the fire and spread onto a greased plate. Sprinkle cardamom powder and crushed pistachio.4. Cool at room temperature and then place in the refrigerator till completely cool and then cut into squares.
This year, I plan to make coconut ladoos and gulab jamun and someday I'd definitely like to try my hand at making gluten-free jalebis! Till then, give these recipes a shot and enjoy a sweet gluten-free Diwali!About the Author:Aarti Sarin Jain is an avid baker and runs an exclusive gluten-free test kitchen. She discovered the joys of a gluten-free living after her elder kid was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. She often experiments with new forms and varieties of gluten-free food without compromising either on taste or quality. You can read more on her blog, www.bakingfrommyheart.com.Disclaimer:The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. NDTV is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of NDTV and NDTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.