Papaya Halwa - Happy Pongal

Happy Pongal Everyone !!

Makara Sankranthi / Pongal is one of the most auspiciously celebrated festival in India. It is celebrated on 14,15,16 and 17th  January when the harvesting season begins.

Known through various names, it is called Pongal in Tamil Nadu and is celebrated for 4 days.


Jan 14th - Bhogi 
Jan 15th - Thai Pongal
Jan 16th - Maattu Pongal
Jan 17th - Kaanum Pongal

During these 4 days a lot of sweets and savouries are prepared in traditional vessels like earthern pots in a traditional log wood stove decorated with sugarcanes .A lot of recipes are prepared for Pongal. As per usual I prepared a few of them sweet pongal , savoury pongal , sambar and Papaya Halwa.

In this recipe the color of the halwa is purely from the papaya.I have not used any food coloring .The pure lustrous red color comes from the goodness of the fruit.So I call it the "Red beauty" :) .

Here is an interesting article on the health benefits of papaya by well-beingsecrets.com . Do check it out here.

What you need :

• Sweet ripe papaya - 1 full

• Sugar - 2 cups

• Ghee - 1/2 cup

• Almonds - dry roasted and finely powdered - 1/4 cup

• Cardamon powder - 1/2 tsp

• Saffron(optional)

• Salt - a small pinch

• Cashews and Raisins - 1/4 cup

Beetroot Halwa - Low fat dessert made with the goodness of beetroots

Beetroot Halwa

I decided to try out a simple,low fat and highly nutritious dessert for this Tamil New Year.When it comes to holidays or festivals we often crave for desserts.After eating them a little too much we feel bad.Well,this dessert is a Savior as you can have it as much as you like as its filled with all the goodness of nature - beetroots.

This is my mom's recipe and she makes it whenever we have a craving for dessert.The good part of this recipe is that beetroots are already sweet so you dont have to add much sugar in it.Whats more delicious and nutritious than having a dessert without caring about your weight right?