How to Make Lauki Halwa for Toddlers - FirstCry Parenting

Lauki Halwa Recipe

Lauki Halwa is one of the most popular Indian desserts. Whether eaten cold or hot with a dollop of ice cream, the rich and enticing flavour of the dessert is enjoyed by one and all. Lauki Halwa for babies is a dish that can be served to your munchkin for breakfast or mid-day snack. What more, it is simple to make and is done within minutes.

Cooking Time

Type  Time (hh:mm:ss)
Preparation Time 00:10:00
Cook Time 00:20:00
Total Time 00:30:00

Cooking Method

Gas Stove, Induction

Type of Meal

Vegetarian

Suitable For

Toddlers older than 13 months of age

Meal Schedule

Breakfast, Dessert after Lunch or Dinner, Mid-day snack.

Recipe Type

Main Dish or Dessert

Ingredients

Ingredients Quantity 
Bottle Gourd or Lauki ( peeled and grated) 2 cups
Ghee 3-5 tablespoons
Mawa ( optional) ½ cup
Sugar 2 cups
Cardamom powder ½ teaspoon
Warm milk 2 tablespoon
Almonds and Pistachios (chopped lengthwise) A handful

Instructions

All you need to make Lauki Halwa for babies is a pressure cooker and the ingredients. Follow the step-by-step guide to make it in a jiffy.

  1. Heat the ghee in a pressure cooker. Add the grated lauki and mawa and saute on a medium flame for about 2-3 minutes.
  2. Once done, add the sugar, cardamom powder, 2 tablespoons of warm milk, 2 tablespoons of hot water. Mix it well.
  3. Close the pressure cooker with its lid.
  4. Pressure cook on a medium flame for 2 whistles.
  5. Let the steam escape and open the lid carefully.
  6. Now cook this mixture for another 5-8 minutes on a low flame until all the water content is evaporated.
  7. Garnish with almonds and pistachios.

Recipe Tips

A few things that will help you perfect this dessert are listed below:

  • This home-made Lauki Halwa baby food recipe can be made without mawa or khoya, which gives it some thickness and creaminess to the dish.
  • You can eliminate the water and add another couple of tablespoons of milk. This will enhance the flavour of the dish as it tastes richer.
  • Peel the lauki well and make sure there is no skin left before you grate it.
  • Make sure you cook the dish on a medium flame. Make sure that you let all the water content evaporate completely.

So, Lauki Halwa can be a great dessert recipe, but do you know it is a healthy dessert option too? Let’s take a look at its nutritional value per 100 gms and its health benefits for babies.

Nutrition Information (Per 100 Grams)

Type  Value 
Calories 317 kCal
Carbohydrates 40.9 grams
Protein 4 grams
Fat 14.9 gms
Cholesterol 1.2 mg
Protein 4 grams
Sodium 14.7 milligram
Dietary fibre 15 grams

Health Benefits

This simple Lauki Halwa recipe maybe a sweet dish with sugar but it does have its health benefits. Read on to find out more:

  • Lauki is rich in both soluble and insoluble dietary fibre. It helps to cure flatulence and constipation troubles.
  • It is made of 96% of water and therefore excellent to stay hydrated.
  • Lauki is rich in iron, Vitamin B, and Vitamin C. It is also rich in antioxidants.
  • Vitamin C in lauki helps build immunity.
  • Almonds are full of healthy fat, protein, magnesium, and Vitamin E.
  • Pistachios are a rich source of thiamine, Vitamin B6, fibre, protein, and antioxidants.

When you want to make a tasty as well as a healthy dish, it is important that you buy quality ingredients. Here’s a quick buying guide you can use to pick your ingredients to make a delicious halwa.

Buying Guide

Making Lauki Halwa for babies may seem very simple. But you need to be a bit careful when you source ingredients for it. Just follow the tips given below to never go wrong with the recipe:

  • The lauki bought should have smooth skin and must be pale green. It should also be free of any cuts, blemishes or spots.
  • It must be firm, and the flesh of the vegetable should not be soft when pressed.
  • Try to source organic lauki as it will be free from chemicals and pesticides.
  • Buy organic sugar as it will be processed using natural ingredients.

There is no better end to a meal than a bowl of Lauki Halwa served with dollops of ghee and dry fruits. You could well introduce this as a breakfast menu to your child every once in a while. It is a great change to the normal dosasparathas, or cereals, and as much healthy because it is made with a vegetable. In case you want to offer a healthy alternative to processed and packaged snacks to your kid, then try this Lauki Halwa recipe for your kid. You can make it and refrigerate it for 2 to 3 days also.

 

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