Aliv Ladoo – Watercress Seed Sweet Balls Indian

Aliv Ladoo are nothing but watercress seed sweet balls made In India which are good for lactating women and growing children. Aliv means watercress seeds in English, halim in Hindi and aliv in Marathi. Very few people are aware about watercress recipes. Aliv Ladoo is a mixture of watercress seed, jaggery, desiccated coconut, semolina, cardamom powder, nuts and oil. Thanks to my sweet neighbor who shared this recipe with me. Also a Happy Rakshabandhan to all my readers and friends make something sweet but healthy on this festive occasion.

Lemme share some benefits of watercress seed. Watercress contains significant amounts of iron, calcium, iodine, and folic acid, in addition to vitamins A and C. It’s rich in vitamins and mimerals thereby fights cancer. Also watercress leaves Or plants are used in salad, soups and sandwiches. It has a peppery flavor and delicate crunch when eaten fresh. It has also been used as a remedy against anemia, eczema, kidney and liver disorders, tuberculosis, boils, warts and tumors. Watercress has more iron than spinach, more calcium than milk and three times as much Vitamin E as lettuce. It’s packed with vitamins A and C, and is low in calories. Please click on watercress.com/index.aspx to know more about watercress benefits.

Now that you know the watercress benefits. Do include them in your diet. You could also germinate the seeds and plant them in your house. You could use the leaves in lentils, vegetables, paratha etc. It’s good to know benefits but we should eat them as well.

My hubby had a great fall yesterday. He injured his jaw line, palm and scratched his knees. Also he got 5 stitches gosh he is in pain and agony. Hence I am making liquid food which is healthy and helping him in speedy recovery. So I made these Aliv Ladoos which will give him the required vitamins and iron.

You could just make these as all of us require vitamins not just lactating mothers and patients. These Aliv ladoos are great for growing kids and old people too.

Total Time: 3 to 4 hours for soaking watercress seed + 20 mins making

Yields: 16 to 18 ladoos (also depends on shape and size)

Ingredients:

1. 100 gms aliv seed (watercress seed) + 1/2 cup water
2. 1 tbsp oil
3. 50 gms grated jaggery
4. 50 gms semolina
5. 50 gms desiccated coconut flakes
6. 1 t/s green cardamom powder
7. 8 to 10 cashews chopped Or crushed
8. a pinch of salt

Method:

• Very important to soak aliv seeds (watercress seed) in half a cup water overnight Or for 3 hours. Just check if the seeds consist of any impurities. Once the seed swell they are ready to use.
• Now take a pan Or vessel add oil. Place on low heat once oil is hot. Add the soaked seed + water.
• Quickly add grated jaggery, desiccated coconut and cashew nuts. Stir all nicely allow to cook for 5 to 6 mins. The mixture will start thickening add salt, cardamom powder and semolina.
• Keep stirring all the while on low heat. The mixture will start leaving the edges of the pan. It will start drying. Once it reaches the stage where you are finding difficulty to move your spatula. Stop allow the mixture to cool down.
• Rub some oil on your palm. Now divide the mixture into small balls about an inch size. Shape into a round shape with the help of your palm. You could roll the ladoos Or ball over dried coconut flakes Or roasted semolina.
• Have them right away Or store them into fridge in an airtight box.

Tip:

1. You could use any nut like peanut, cashew, pistachio, almond Or pine nuts.
2. Stirring is important Or there are chances the mixture might get burnt. Use a thick bottomed sauce pan.
3. Aliv (watercress seeds) are easily available at all Indian store.

Enjoy Aliv Ladoo!

The printable version below:

Tagged as: Easy Sweets - Dessert, Eggless Recipe, Vegan Dishes, Vegetarian Dishes