Gond laddoo

A rather delectable snack which many nursing moms look forward to is the Gond laddoo. Its a tasty concoction of dried fruits, jaggery, ghee and edible gum. This is consumed to help improve the recovery and strengthening of the mother's muscles and general health.

Ingredients:
Gond (edible gum )---200gms (this can be purchased in any Ayurvedic store)
Poppy seeds------100gms
Almonds-----------200gms
Resins--------------200gms
cashew-------------100gms
Dates ---------------200gms
Walnut---------------200gms
Figs-----------------200gms
Dry Coconut powder-- 100gms
Jaggery-------------250gms
Ghee------------100gms

Method :-
Cut all the dried fruits into small pieces and keep aside .
Powder the gond coarsely, then fry it in ghee until it puffs up and put in a bowl.
Fry the cut dried fruits in the remaining ghee and put them also in the bowl.
Add poppy seeds and coconut powder to the bowl.

Later prepare jaggery syrup - boil 2 cups of  water in a deep pan, add jaggery to it and boil till it melts and keep boiling until you get a single string consistency (touch the syrup gently with your finger and close with your thumb and then open , you get a thin thread like structure).
Add this syrup to the mixed items and then make small balls by pressing the ingredients in between your palm and fingers, laddoos are ready !

Poppy seed (gasgasay) paysa (kheer)

It is common knowledge that a relaxed mom nurses her baby better. Keeping this in mind, another favorite in our household for improved lactation and relaxation is this kheer made with poppy seeds and milk. This is a perfect blend of flavor, relaxation and sleep induction! Need I also say that it takes less than 2 minutes to ready the ingredients and 5 minutes to prepare it...it sounds relaxing already!

Ingredients:

Poppy seeds----1/2 cup

Almonds ---1cup

Dry coconut powder ---1cup

Milk ½ cup

Method :
Make a fine powder of the above ingredients and bottle it!

Recipe: Boil ½ cup of water add 1 tsp of the above powder and then cook for 5 minutes. Add milk and sugar , boil for another 3 minutes and serve.

Sajige

My husband jokes that "sajjige thindu, hechithu bojju" (eating sajjige, adds inches to your waistline)! I admit it is true, but this is a great snack for women who need the nutrition and also recommended as breakfasts for toddlers:

Ingredients for SAJIGE

Rava-----1 cup

Ghee----2 tbsp

Cardamom ---few

Salt –a pinch

Sugar----l/2 cup

Raisin--2 tsp

Method :
1. Heat ghee in a pan and stir fry raisins for 1 miniute and remove , keep aside.
2. Then  roast rava in the remaining ghee for 2 minutes
3. then add 2 cups of water and cook for 2 to 3mins
4. later add sugar, cardamom and salt and continue cooking for another 4 to 5 minutes till the water evaporates
5. then garnish with the fried raisins and enjoy!