Summary:
Namaste everyone, hope you all are having a wonderful day. Today, I am bubbling with excitement to share something truly special with you all. We all love our snacks, don't we. But sometimes, that little voice in our head whispers about health and well being. What if I told you, you can have your cake, or rather, your cookies, and eat them too, without an ounce of guilt. Yes, you heard that right, no more feeling bad about indulging in a delicious treat.
I recently stumbled upon a gem of a recipe from easy cooking with das, and oh my goodness, it has been a game changer in my kitchen. Their 'Healthy Ragi Nuts Cookies' video is pure genius, showing us how to whip up bakery style goodness right at home, but with a wholesome twist. This recipe is not just about baking cookies, it is about embracing a healthier lifestyle, one delicious bite at a time. The sheer joy of creating something so nourishing and tasty from scratch is simply unmatched.
The star of our show is none other than Ragi, or finger millet. This humble grain is a powerhouse of nutrition, packed with calcium and fiber. It is truly a superfood, especially for growing kids and for us adults who are always looking for healthier alternatives. Replacing maida, the refined flour, with ragi flour is a brilliant move, making these cookies naturally more nutritious and much easier on our tummies. This simple switch elevates the health quotient of these cookies by leaps and bounds, making them a wise choice for everyone in the family.
And for sweetness, no refined sugar here. We are using jaggery powder, a traditional Indian sweetener. The natural, earthy sweetness of jaggery not only adds a unique flavour profile but also brings its own set of minerals to the table. It is such a wise choice, ensuring our sweet treat is not just tasty but also good for us. The warmth and depth of flavour that jaggery imparts are simply divine, making these cookies stand out from your regular store bought ones.
The bounty of nuts and seeds in these cookies is just fantastic. Almonds, cashews, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and flaxseeds. Imagine the crunch, the richness, and the incredible nutrient boost. Each bite is a medley of textures and a burst of wholesome goodness. These are not just cookies, they are little bundles of energy and essential fats, vital for our overall well being. Perfect for that afternoon slump or as a post workout snack, they provide sustained energy without any sugar crashes.
And the best part, they are completely eggless. So everyone can enjoy these beauties, whether you have dietary restrictions or simply prefer an egg free option. This makes them accessible to a wider audience and perfect for sharing with friends and family from all walks of life. The fact that easy cooking with das designed these to be eggless without compromising on texture or taste is truly commendable.
The journey begins with making a fresh nut and seed powder. Just toss all those lovely almonds, cashews, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and flaxseeds into your blender jar. Grind them until you have a fine powder. The aroma that fills your kitchen at this stage is truly captivating, a promise of the deliciousness to come. This freshly ground mix ensures maximum flavour and nutrition. Transfer this aromatic powder to a mixing bowl, ready for its next companions. This step might seem small, but it makes a huge difference in the overall texture and flavour of the cookies.
Next, we add our star ingredient, ragi flour, along with baking powder for that perfect lift and a pinch of salt to balance the flavours. Mix these dry ingredients well with your nut powder. This step is about gentle integration, ensuring everything is evenly distributed. You want to make sure there are no lumps, so a good whisk or spoon is your friend here. The combination of these dry ingredients forms the backbone of our wholesome cookies.
Now for the magic, creating the wet ingredients. In another bowl, we combine ghee or butter, jaggery powder, and a splash of milk. Whisk these together until you achieve a smooth, creamy mixture. This is where the richness comes from, the heart of our cookie dough. The colour itself is so inviting, a golden promise of flavour and texture. The ghee or butter lends a beautiful aroma and helps in creating that melt in your mouth texture we all crave in a good cookie.
It is time to bring the two worlds together. Gradually add your dry ingredient mix to the creamy wet mixture. The key here is to mix gently. Do not overmix, my friends. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, and we certainly do not want that. We want a soft, smooth dough, not a tough one. Just enough to bring everything together into a cohesive ball. Feel the dough, it should be supple and easy to work with, a true delight to handle.
This is where the fun really begins, shaping the cookies. Take about 20 grams of dough for each cookie. Roll it into a neat ball. Then, for that lovely rustic bakery look, coat each ball generously with white sesame seeds. Gently flatten them a little. These little dough balls, glistening with sesame, look so charming already and are ready for their transformation in the oven. The sesame seeds not only add a beautiful look but also a lovely crunch and nutty flavour.
Preheat your oven to 150 degrees Celsius. This specific temperature is important. As easy cooking with das rightly points out, ragi cookies love slow baking. Popping your shaped cookies into the preheated oven. Bake them for about 25 to 30 minutes. You will know they are ready when they turn firm and beautifully golden. Your entire home will be filled with the most comforting, nutty, sweet aroma. It is pure bliss, I tell you, a true testament to the joy of home baking.
And here is the hardest part. The waiting game. Once baked, let those gorgeous cookies cool completely. This is crucial for them to develop that irresistible crispness. They might seem a little soft when they come out of the oven, but trust me, patience is a virtue here. As they cool, they transform into crunchy, delightful morsels, perfect for dunking in your chai or coffee.
easy cooking with das has also shared some super helpful tips that I simply must pass on to you. Firstly, for baking, using a weighing scale is your best friend. It ensures precision and consistent results every single time, taking the guesswork out of baking. Secondly, if your dough feels a little too dry, do not fret. Just add a teaspoon of milk, a little at a time, until it reaches the perfect consistency. This little trick can save your dough from being too crumbly. Remember, slow baking is key for ragi cookies. Never rush them with high temperatures, as this can make them hard or burn them. And once cooled, store these golden beauties in an airtight container. They stay fresh and delicious for up to 20 days. Imagine having a stash of healthy cookies ready for weeks, what a dream come true.
There is an unparalleled joy in baking something so healthy and delicious for your loved ones. Knowing that you are providing them with wholesome goodness, free from maida and refined sugar, fills your heart with immense satisfaction. These cookies are perfect for kids' snack boxes, for elders who need nutritious bites, or simply for your evening tea time. They are guilt free, packed with energy, and utterly delicious. The act of baking itself is so therapeutic, turning simple ingredients into something magical and filling your home with warmth and delightful aromas.
So dear friends, if you are on the hunt for a healthy snack that does not compromise on taste or texture, then this Ragi Nuts Cookies recipe from easy cooking with das is an absolute must try. It is easy, it is wholesome, and it is incredibly rewarding. Go on, give it a whirl in your kitchen. You will thank me later, and your taste buds will definitely thank you. Until next time, happy cooking and stay healthy.
