Halwa and ice skating for dogs
Until today, I neither shared nor understood Java’s enthusiasm for the cold white stuff that suddenly appeared the other morning. Mind you, she’s so foolish that I don’t understand much about her at all. I refused to go out all day on Monday in the hope that it would disappear. It didn’t, and there was even more of it this morning so, after much coaxing, I agreed to accompany Bossy and Java on a walk. I soon found out that if I ran very fast and then suddenly stopped, Java (who copies everything I do) was taken by surprise, skidded, lost her balance and fell over (what’s not to like?). How anyone with four legs can actually fall over is beyond me – it just goes to show how silly she is. Bossy lost her balance a few times too *canine snigger*, but in her case it’s more understandable as she only has two legs and I suppose she’s busy trying to control her mouth, always going at full throttle. These little bonuses mean that I’ve decided that the white stuff is not so bad after all. I may even look into skiing lessons…
Halwa is a deliciously fragrant Indian dessert cake. It contains ghee, or clarified butter. Having had all dairy residue simmered off, ghee is suitable for people with dairy allergies. It is a rich source of omegas 3 and 9 as well as butyric acid which has been shown to decrease inflammation, particularly in the intestines. It is also an excellent source of vitamins A, D, E and K.
Ingredients (serves 12)
350g carrots, grated
50g raisins
50g almonds, chopped
50g pistachios, chopped
5 tablespoons ghee, melted (you could replace this with butter or coconut oil)
2 tablespoons honey
3 eggs, whisked
200g almond flour
½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1 teaspoon cardamom seeds, crushed
Preheat the oven to 180°C. Combine the carrots, raisins, almonds, pistachios, ghee and honey in a mixing bowl. Gradually add the almond flour, bicarbonate of soda and cardamom seeds to the whisked eggs and blend until homogenous. Add the flour/egg mixture to the carrot/nut mixture and combine well. Transfer to a prepared medium-sized baking tin and bake for 40 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.
11 Comments
apuginthekitchen
Yummy cake, I didn’t know that ghee was suitable for people with dairy allergies.
Hugo, you are very sensible. I had to laugh at the mental picture of Java falling over and Bossy’s mouth in full throttle, LOL!!! Glad you have warmed up (so to speak) to the white stuff, I myself have not but having two legs I tend to slip and slide. Having four legs is much smarter and more practical. Nando sends his regards and say’s that he enjoys your writing style very much.
The Healthy Epicurean
Thank you Mrs P. And thank you too for recognising that I’m very sensible – I sometimes get the impression that Bossy et al just think I’m a grump. I’ll never understand why humans go around balancing on their two back legs, using their front legs to eat and write… Please give my love to Nando and tell him that I have much empathy for him – he has months of the white stuff to endure every year. Poor Nando! Love from Hugo.
Gerlinde
Your recipe looks great and I like to try it. I prefer making my own almond flower by grinding my organic California almonds in the food processor . Would that work?
The Healthy Epicurean
That would definitely work Gerlinde – I buy it already ‘powdered’ because I’m lazy! 😉 I hope you like it as much as me – do let me know what you think…
Stacey Bender
Picture perfect, those two.
The Healthy Epicurean
🙂
sumaia1994
I am definitely going to try this recipe. Looks yummy!
The Healthy Epicurean
Thank you! I hope you like it – come back and let me know what you think… 🙂
Mary Frances
Great recipe! Your dogs look so sweet, we never had dogs unfortunately. My sons did have a rabbit, but dogs (especially labradors) are so sweet and lovable!
The Healthy Epicurean
Thank you! Our dogs are adorable, if a bit full-on and exhausting! 🙂
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