Let's see off the carrots this season with gajar malpua

As the winters are coming to an end, it is also time to bid adieu to carrots as well. But, before a final goodbye, let's have a healthy delicacy made of carrots, a 'carrot malpua'.

Carrots have the reputation of being one of the healthiest and most versatile vegetables. You can just wash it and it's good to eat. Furthermore, you can make desserts out of it (the famous 'gajar ka halwa') or cook it as a spicy subzi. Carrots are enriched in Vitamin A and C, Potassium and are great to improve eyesight. Experts reveal consuming carrots regularly can also help to improve your skin health, protect your heart health and boost immunity.

Well, there is little chance you haven't heard of Malpua but if that is the case, it is an Indian dessert that can be enjoyed anytime at any occasion. Unfortunately, people with health conditions like diabetes can not enjoy it because of the high concentration of sugar and its other ingredients like maida and soda. So here we bring you an easy and healthy recipe of malpua made from carrots.

You require the following ingredients to prepare Malpua-

• 2 carrots
• ¼ tsp saffron food colour (optional)
• 4-5 tbsp sugar/ brown sugar/ jaggery powder
• 2 tbsp cream
• 1 and a half cup milk
• Oil or ghee
• 1 cup wheat flour
• ¼ cup Rava / suji (fine)
• ¼ tsp cardamom powder
• ½ tsp fennel / saunf
• 2 cup water

Steps to  follow-

• Start by grinding 2 carrots in a and add ½ cup milk.
• Grind the mixture properly. To get a smooth texture, transfer the carrot puree into a large bowl. Recheck if there is any lump in it and grind again if necessary.
• Now, add 1 cup wheat flour, ¼ cup Rava, ¼ tsp cardamom powder, ½ tsp fennel, ¼ tsp saffron food colour and 1 tbsp sugar and mix everything well.
• Further, add 2 tbsp cream, 1 cup milk and again mix well.
• Now, whisk the mixture properly. After that, cover the mixture and keep it aside for 30 minutes. If rava is not soaked properly, you can keep it for a longer time.
• Meanwhile, prepare the sugar syrup by taking 2 cups of sugar, some amount of ground cardamom according to your taste, ¼ tsp saffron food colour and 2 cups water.
• Mix it well until sugar dissolves properly.
• Boil for 5 minutes or until the sticky sugar syrup is formed.
• When the sugar syrup is ready, keep it at rest.
• After the batter has rested for 30 minutes, mix well and adjust th consistency.
• Now you have to prepare the malpua by pouring 2-3 tbsp of batter in a deep pan over hot oil.
• Do not deep fry it, just shallow fry the malpua in medium hot oil.
• Carefully fry both sides and flip them slowly.
• Drain off the oil and press gently.
• Dip in sugar syrup and soak the carrot malpua on both sides for 2 minutes or until it absorbs sugar syrup.
• Finally, garnish the carrot malpua recipe with a few chopped nuts.

Nutritional value of Malpua:

• Calories: 173kcal
• Carbohydrates: 38g
• Protein: 2g
• Fat: 2gSaturated
• Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated
• Fat: 1gMonounsaturated
• Fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 5mg
• Sodium: 19mg
• Potassium: 78mg
• Fibre: 1g
• Sugar: 29g
• Vitamin A: 1428IU
• Vitamin C: 1mg
• Calcium: 36mg
• Iron: 1mg