Sugarfree Wholewheat Carrot and Apricot Cake

Blogging has taken a backseat these days primarily due to my strict diet and exercise regime. While I am still cooking up a few delicacies once in a while, jotting them down takes an effort these days as I am too tired by afternoon and need to take some rest before I go for my next round of exercise in the evening. This cake that I made over the weekend is a wonderful companion with your tea/coffee and also as an anytime bite. It is wholewheat, packed with the goodness of carrots and apricots, made with extra light olive oil, and no sugar too!! Now, isn't it the best way to get back to a healthy routine after all that Diwali binging?

Ingredients

2 cups wholewheat flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

2 tsp mixed spice or ground cinnamon (whichever is available)

1 tsp salt

4 eggs

3/4 cup honey

3/4 cup oil (I used extra light olive oil)

2 cups grated carrots 

1 cup chopped dry apricots (you can use pineapple chunks as well)

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Direction

Mix and sift the dry ingredients together and keep aside. 

In a bowl, beat the eggs, honey, and oil together till smooth. Add the flour mixture  in two batches and beat till smooth. Now fold in the carrots, apricots/pineapple, and walnuts one at a time and mix well. 

Pre-heat the oven at 180 degree celsius and line a 23 cm square baking dish with parchment paper. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it out evenly. Tap the bottom a couple of times to prevent air bubbles. 

Bake in the pre-heated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. If the top browns faster and the cake not yet done, tent the top loosely with an aluminium foil to avoid burning of the top. 

Remove from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely before slicing. You can serve it with some apricot/pineapple preserve on the top to make it more delicious. Enjoy your guilt free indulgence!!

Gajar ka Halwa ( Carrot Halwa)

It's that time of the year when in most Indian households one dessert is very fondly prepared and relished by the entire family, Gajar ka Halwa). While carrots are available throughout the year, the special long red carrots are available only during winters in India. Being an Indian and hosting a food blog, this recipe entry for Gajar ka Halwa is almost imperative. Especially, when the halwa turned out so delicious and yummy. Even my husband, who does not quite like sweets, took a second helping! So here is a sure shot winner recipe for Carrot Halwa and one which does not require you to be standing for hours.

Ingredients

800 gms long red carrots 

200 gms mawa/khoya

1 tbsp ghee

1/2 cup sugar (adjust as per your taste)

1/2 cup chopped dry fruits

2 pieces of cardamom

1 bay leaf

Direction

Wash and peel the carrots and pat them dry. Grate the carrots and keep aside.

In a pressure cooker, heat the ghee. Add the cardamom and bay leaf. Now add the grated carrot and sugar and mix well. Close the lid and pressure cook without any water for 2-3 whistles. Remove from heat and let it cool.

In another pan, pour the boiled carrot mixture from the cooker and stir on medium flame. It will have some water from the carrots and sugar. Dry up the water while stirring continuously on medium to high flame for 5-10 minutes. Now add the grated or mashed khoya and stir. Mix well so that the khoya melts and no crumbs are left. Check for the sweetness and continue stirring until no liquid is left. However, do not make it too dry as khoya tends to solidify again on cooling. Enjoy your gajar ka halwa hot, at room temperature, or chilled.