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Aliv ladoo, or halim ladoo, is a nutritious, tasty, soft, and nutty ladoo that promotes overall health and well-being.

As food lovers, we are constantly searching for delectable treats that not only tantalize our taste buds but also provide us with essential nutrients. Look no further than the humble yet delicious Aliv Ladoo! These traditional Indian sweets offer a burst of flavor and are loaded with incredible health benefits. In this recipe, we will explore the wonders of Aliv Ladoo and showcase why they should be a part of your culinary repertoire.

Aliv ladoo is considered an essential part of new moms' diet in a Maharashtrian community in India. They are packed with iron and many vital nutrients that help strengthen the body post-childbirth.

Back in India, I had aliv in the form of ladoo or kheer. But over the years, as I explored various cuisines and a variety of dishes, I came to realize that these tiny, nutrition-packed seeds are used in sweets, salads, smoothies, and much more.

What is Aliv Ladoo?

Aliv ladoo is a traditional Indian sweet made from aliv seeds, also known as garden cress seeds or halim. These ladoos are popular during festive occasions and are considered a healthy and nutritious treat. This winter-special ladoo is specially made for new lactating moms.

The seeds are soaked in milk or coconut water, mixed with jaggery or sugar, along with other ingredients like nuts and cardamom, and cooked to form small, spherical sweets. Aliv ladoo is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients, making it a perfect indulgence for both tastes- and health-conscious individuals. Along with nutrition, they also provide warmth to the body.

What are Aliv, Halim, or Garden Cress seeds?

Aliv, also referred to as garden cress or halim seeds, are tangy-flavored seeds widely used in soups, salads, sweets, and smoothies. They have high fiber content and are highly nutritious. It is a Superfood packed with vitamins A, C, and E and rich in iron and folic acid.

Because of these rich, nutritious properties, they are used in aliv ladoos that are given to new moms. It also helps with lactation and builds strength.

Benefits of Aliv

• Perfect nutrition for lactating mothers to help with milk production as well as body strengthening
• Good for growing kids who are anemic or lack vitamins
• Good for hair growth and skin
• It is a superfood!! That says a lot.
• It treats constipation
• It helps with irregular menstruation
• Helps loose weight
• It boosts your immune system
• Protects you against heart disease
• Maintain your glucose level if you are diabetic
• Helpful with hemorrhoids
• They contain antioxidants and protect against inflammation
• It is gluten-free

Care must be taken while consuming Aliv Ladoo

• Only consume one Aliv Ladoo per day. Too much of aliv is not good for your body.
• It is said that Aliv has certain properties that are not good for pregnant women, and so should be avoided.
• Cook them properly before consuming them.
• Soak aliv for at least 1 to 2 hours before cooking.

How do I make Aliv Ladoo?

Ingredients for Aliv Ladoo or Halim Ladoo

Aliv/Halim/Garden Cress seeds

Shredded or Grated Coconut: Use fresh grated coconut for best results. However, if it is unavailable, you can use frozen shredded coconut, too.

Jaggery: Use grated jaggery so it mixes properly. You can also use powdered jaggery in this recipe.

Whole milk: I like to use milk for the Halim ladoo; however, if you want to make this ladoo dairy-free, you can use coconut water instead.

Ghee

Nutmeg powder: Jaiphal or nutmeg powder helps with digestion and elevates the flavor of Aliv ladoo.

Chopped almonds (optional)

Step-by-step instructions for Aliv Ladoo

Add the Halim or Aliv seeds and whole milk to a mixing bowl and set it aside to soak for 1 to 2 hours.

In the meantime, grate the coconut and jaggery and keep it ready for the next step.

Once Aliv seeds or garden cress seeds have been thoroughly soaked in milk, add the grated coconut and jaggery. Mix it all together and set it aside for 20 to 25 minutes so the jaggery dissolves.

Place a wok or kadhai on medium heat. Add ghee to it, followed by chopped almonds. Roast them for a couple of minutes till they brown a little.

Then add the soaked aliv seeds mixture to it. Cook it by continuously stirring for about 15 to 20 minutes till the mixture is completely cooked and the jaggery melts and thickens.

Add nutmeg powder to it and mix it well. Nutmeg not only adds flavor but also helps with digestion.

Keep cooking till the mixture holds its shape. Then turn off the heat and let the garden cress seed mixture cool. Cool enough to roll them comfortably into ladoos.

Grease your palms with ghee and scoop up a tablespoon of the aliv ladoo mixture into them. Roll the mixture into nice round balls and set them aside to dry and become less sticky.

Once the ladoos have cooled down completely, store them in an airtight container. Since the Aliv Ladoos are made using milk and freshly grated coconut, they will only stay good at room temperature for a day or so. Refrigerate it; they will stay good for about ten days.

Other yummy ladoo recipes for you:

Rava Ladoo

Besan Ladoo

Coconut ladoo

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I make the Aliv Ladoo vegan?

Yes, you can make these ladoos vegan. You can replace the milk in this recipe with either coconut milk or coconut water. The best replacement would be coconut water, but coconut milk will also make it tasty and rich.

Replace milk in equal parts with either of these to make Aliv Ladoo.

Are Aliv and Watercress the same?

No, although aliv and watercress belong to the same family of plants, they are two different types of seeds.

Aliv seeds are also referred to as garden cress seeds.

Can I use dedicated coconut in the Aliv Ladoo recipe?

Yes, you can replace fresh coconut with dedicated coconut in the ladoo recipe. But it will have a little different taste. But it is definitely a possible replacement.

How do I store Aliv Ladoo?

Store the aliv ladoo in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and it will stay good for 8 to 10 days.

You can even freeze them for 2 to 3 months. Just thaw them in the refrigerator overnight to consume.

Can I skip nutmeg powder?

Though you can skip nutmeg powder as it is not an essential element in this recipe, it does add flavor and fragrance and aid digestion.

Drop a comment if you have tried the recipe. I would love to hear about your experiences. Also, if you have any questions, please leave them below. I would be happy to help.

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